IN PICTURES: TITO’S STOP IN MARATHON CELEBRATES OFFICIAL RIBBON CUTTING

And it’s official! The ribbon is cut as Tito’s Stop celebrates its official opening.

Friends, community members, local officials and first responders gathered on July 29 to celebrate the official grand opening and ribbon cutting for Tito’s Stop (La Parada de Tito) – and enjoy a tasty lunch. The brainchild of proud owners Tito Viera and Dana Mendez, Marathon’s newest eatery brings a veritable smorgasbord to the table. Though it also offers fresh lobster and stone crab in season as well as seafood dishes and ceviche, the shop has already made a name for itself with its Cuban cuisine, including blended meat burgers and sandwiches, and customized personal pizzas with all manner of toppings.

Alex Rickert made the perfectly natural career progression from dolphin trainer to newspaper editor in 2021 after freelancing for Keys Weekly while working full time at Dolphin Research Center. A resident of Marathon since 2015, he fell in love with the Florida Keys community by helping multiple organizations and friends rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Irma. An avid runner, actor, and spearfisherman, he spends as much of his time outside of work on or under the sea having civil disagreements with sharks.