MIDDLEBORO – A love of the television show “Arrested Development,” a career as a pilot, and the 2020 pandemic all came together to create The Flying Banana.

The store opened on Wednesday, Oct. 26 and was welcomed with long lines as residents waited to taste the store’s frozen bananas, chocolate covered cheesecakes, and other sweet treats. 

“Our desserts are very unique,” said owner Barry Wyllie. “Not too many people have ever had a frozen banana before, so I think it’s something different.”

The store initially started as a food truck, Wyllie said, and he came up with the idea during the pandemic. “We watched Arrested Development and they had a banana stand,” Wylie said. “We looked to make sure no one was [also running a banana stand around here] and we said ‘you know what, we’re going to do a banana stand.’”

Wyllie is an airplane pilot for JetBlue, he explained, which is why staff at the store wear pilot uniforms and where the word “flying” in “The Flying Banana” comes from. His children along with local high school students will help him run the store, he said.

Wyllie’s son, Ashton Wyllie, said that in addition to working with his dad at the store, he would also be following in his dad’s footsteps by becoming a pilot as well.

Ashton added that his dad was helping him learn how to fly. “He's a certified instructor, so he can help me out,” Ashton said. 

Wyllie said that he donates a dollar from each desert sold to a specific charity that changes each month. “Our mission statement is a delicious dessert at a reasonable price while giving back to the community,” he explained. 

The new addition to downtown was a big hit with Middleboro families. Wyllie said that the store would aim to remain open until 9 p.m. so people could come to the store after dinner. 

“We’re looking to get the after dinner crowd,” Wyllie said.

Customer Thomas Roylance said that he had gotten a frozen banana with milk chocolate, Oreo, and marshmallow. “It’s really good,” he said.

Wyllie said it was too early to tell if there is always money in the banana stand. “Not yet, but hopefully there is,” Wyllie said. “But as of right now, not yet.”