McCook's Lemonade Day a sweet success

Lemonade Day entrepreneurs, clockwise from top, include Xander Galaneu’s Slam Dunk Lemonade; Elia Graff’s Eli’s Mobile Elixers; Quincy and Brooks Long’s Squeeze the Day! and Liam Bates’ Liam’s Lemonade. Middle left, Brooks Long prepare’s the day’s product.

Courtesy photos

McCOOK, Neb. -- McCook’s Lemonade Day -- a new initiative that made its debut during Crazy Days – was a sweet success for young entrepreneurs in its first year and officials are looking to continue and expand it in the future.

This national program, adopted locally, is an effort to develop entrepreneurship for area youth. The McCook Community Foundation received a grant to implement local youth initiatives and this one started in McCook with support from the McCook Economic Development Corp, McCook Community College and the McCook Chamber of Commerce.

But this definitely wasn’t your grandfather’s lemonade stand.

As part of the planning for the event participants in the fourth through sixth grade worked out business plans through workbooks provided free to help the students – and their adult supervision -- establish earning goals, set up budgets, determined what percent of their earnings would be used, saved and/or given back to the community.

With 12 downtown businesses offering lemonade stand locations, students considered locations, and rented their spots, negotiated and signed lease agreements, found investors to help pay for ingredients and rent, and worked out loan payback or interest agreements, developed marketing plans and tracked expenses and earnings.

During Crazy Days there were four lemonade stands set up by: Eli Graff, (Eli’s Mobile Elixers); Xander Galaneau (Slam Dunk Lemonade); Liam Bates (Liam’s Lemonade); and Quincy and Brooks Long (Squeeze the day!).

“We’d like to make this an annual event, if there is anybody who wants to be a part of our committee, please reach out to us,” said Long, adding it was great to have the partnership in place for this and other youth initiatives.

The foremost objective of Lemonade Day is to empower youth to take ownership of their lives and become productive members of society – the business leaders, social advocates, volunteers, and forward-thinking citizens of tomorrow.

If you’d like to be part of the committee or for more information about Lemonade Days and other youth initiatives, you can contact Long at the McCook EDC, (308-345-1200).