No matter how many individuals appear in the pages of each edition of Keys Weekly, there are always so many more of our community members who deserve to be recognized. In an effort to shine a spotlight on more of the incredible individuals who live and work in these islands, Keys Weekly is proud to spotlight our Neighbor of the Week feature, dedicated to celebrating a community member with each issue.
Our neighbor of the week is Keys native Jonathon Lindback. He attended local schools, graduating from Coral Shores High School in 2012. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Florida Gulf Coast University. He is the grandson of the late Carl Sr. and Marlene Lindback, longtime previous owners of La Siesta Resort, and the Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar, which remains in the Lindback family and where Jonathon can be found serving customers when not working his day job. He works with his father, Brian Sr., as operations manager at Island Disposal, the waste collection company serving Islamorada; and runs his own business, Matecumbe Microgreens.
He is president-elect of the Islamorada Chamber board of directors and will become president in October. He also serves as a volunteer for Mote Marine Laboratory and the Keys chapter of Surfrider Foundation. He lives in Islamorada with his new bride Katie (Cleek) Lindback.
Do you know what drew your grandparents to the Keys in the late 1950s? My grandmother recently told me that they came down to look at the La Siesta property, which they later bought. She wasn’t thrilled about moving to the Keys but fell in love with the view of Alligator Lighthouse off the property. When Hurricane Donna hit in 1960, she told me that was when she fell in love with the community because everyone helped everyone else, regardless of the damage incurred. The community is the same reason I came back to the Keys after college.
What led you to be in the occupation you’re in? I’ve worked with my dad since I was in middle school and I love everything about a family business. I got into the microgreens business during COVID. With the extra time on my hands, I watched YouTube video tutorials about stocks and swing trading. Ads about microgreens keep popping up and I got intrigued. I started growing in a spare bedroom in 2021. As the business grew, I moved the greens into a shipping container to accommodate more greens. Microgreens are sold to local restaurants, private chefs and locals. We (Katie and I) now have a storefront at MM 88, Matecumbe Market, to expand the farm and add a community co-op.
Weirdest experience you’ve had in the Keys? Outside of the things seen at the sandbar, it’s probably being a farmer in the Keys. That’s highly unusual. The other weird thing is living here as an adult after growing up here. Now I’m adulting with the actual adults who impacted my life.
If you could have dinner with anyone, who would it be? Always my dad. I know every time I spend with him, I am going to laugh and learn something. I always leave him feeling less stressed. He has been my sounding board throughout life.
If you had a superpower, what would it be? I’d pick two. First, being able to fly, the aerial views of the Keys and water are second to none. Second, to breathe underwater. I like to freedive.
Favorite food and you can’t say microgreens? My mom’s sweet potato casserole at Thanksgiving.
Favorite book? “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho takes the category of favorite novel. And I regularly reference “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey.
What are your hobbies? In addition to free diving, I am scuba-certified and love spearfishing. I also paddleboard, wakeboard and roller blade at the Key Largo skate park.
Is there a skill/talent you want to master? To learn to speak Spanish fluently.
What are you most proud of as you look back on your life this far? Becoming a part of the community as an adult and not being someone who just lives here.
Do you have any regrets? While I’ve made some poor decisions, I learned many lessons along the way. These experiences made me understand my purpose in life is to be with my family.
What is the biggest daily challenge you face? Going to bed before midnight.
