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Spotlighting the amazing individuals who live and work in the Middle Keys

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.

This week is special with not one, but two Neighbors of the Week – and they’re an amazingly friendly motherdaughter duo working at the brand new Starbucks at the south end of Marathon. Without further ado, meet Tara and Treneisha.

TARA EDGECOMB & TRENEISHA BAKER

Store manager & shift leader, Starbucks

How did you first come to the Florida Keys?

Tara: I’ve been working in the Florida Keys for the last 20-some-odd years, but I’ve always resided in Homestead. My first job was at the Waffle House in Key Largo. From there I went to Ross in Key West, then to Hawks Cay Resort, then to Islamorada Fish Company for 12-and-a-half years before I came here. I was training at a Miami Beach Starbucks and knew at some point I had to come to the Keys and open my store. My daughter wasn’t working at the time, and she loves Starbucks, so I said, “Hey, do you want to come and work for Starbucks?” She was like, “Yes! I’ll do it.”

What is your hype song and sad song?

Tara: Sad song: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa. Hype song: “Vegas” by Doja Cat.

Treneisha: Sad song: “Still Your Best” by Giveon. Hype song: “I Wanna Party” from “Rio”

The title of my autobiography would be…

Tara: “How Did She Survive, But She Lived a Damn Good Life”

Treneisha: “The Fall and the Rise”

If you could be any character from a TV series or movie, who would it be?

Tara: Joan Clayton from “Girlfriends.”

Treneisha: Albus Dumbledore from “Harry Potter.”

My significant other would say I am…

Tara: He calls me crazy every day.

Treneisha: Me and my mom both get the same one. We’re crazy.

What is one thing that’s on a lot of menus, but you will never try?

Tara: Oysters. I’ve tried them fried, raw and steamed. They’re disgusting and overrated. And beer. Beer is disgusting.

Treneisha: Seafood and anything that has to do with mushrooms.

What is the funniest social media fight you’ve ever seen?

Both: When Will Smith slapped Chris Rock.

If there was one chore you could have taken away from you forever, what would it be?

Tara: Dumping garbage or doing any outside work. (Answer given before we even finished the sentence.)

Treneisha: Cleaning the bathroom.