Feeling a bit parched? There’s no better way to cool yourself down than a glass of freshly made lemonade from your very own lemonade stand. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up the ultimate lemonade stand that’ll have the neighborhood queuing up for a sweet, zesty treat.
Find The Right Spot
Once you’ve got your lemonade recipe or mix, it’s time to pick the perfect spot to set up shop. Scout out shady, inviting trees or canopies, as those are perfect spots to set up a lemonade stand. Streets without too much traffic and neighborly areas would be ideal, too. Don’t forget to mark the spot with a brightly colored chalk ‘X’!
If there are no trees or canopies around, getting an umbrella or tent would work too. Make sure it’s pretty apparent and well-lit so you won’t miss out on any customers.
When picking a spot, you should also keep in mind the time of day. The sun blazing at its peak isn’t the best time to set up a lemonade stand, as you’ll mostly get the sun-scorched, hot and tired looking for refreshment. Strike out early in the morning or plan your stand for late afternoon break time – that’s when the lemonade drinkers will be seeking something to quell their thirst!
Gather Your Supplies
Once you’ve got the location to set up your lemonade stand down pat, it’s time to prepare the supplies. Tableware, ladles, scoops and coolers are essential. A jug or two of your freshly-made lemonade, ice and cups should also be on hand. Serviettes and trash bags will come in handy too. Just be sure to check if the local authorities require permits or documentations for you to set up!
Now that you’ve packed up all your supplies and lemonade, it’s time to head to your spot and set up your stand! Assemble the tables and arrange your cooler, ladles, scoops and cups. Place them in the most ergonomic manner. It’ll save you time running around for your customers and make setting up in the morning more efficient.
Not forgetting the most important ingredient – lemonade! Make sure to pour out enough cups for your customers and have it cooled with a couple of jugs of ice. Keep it chilled and blend in flavors like mint leaves or oranges in with your lemonade mix. That’ll really tantalize the palate and increase your profits!
Advertise!
Now that all your lemonade stand supplies are set up and ready, you’ll want to make sure your customers know it, too. Put up signs that are big and clear, with text that’s legible and the pricing. If you’d like, add brightly-colored balloons and streamers to play up the cheerful vibes.
Advertise your lemonade stand on social media and local forums. Spread the word and treat yourself to a hashtag or two so you can follow the conversations and capture your supporters’ enthusiasm. Who knows, you may even strike upon a few share-worthy shots of your lemonade stand!
Provide Great Service
Your customers will have a greater impression of your lemonade stand if you provide great service. Stock up on more cups and ladles and ensure the temperature is just right. Keep the surroundings clean; litter and over-flowing trash bags won’t be a good sight.
Interreact with your customers; a curt “Welcome to my stand” or a “How’s your lemonade?” might be enough to put them at ease. Of course, customer satisfaction is top priority and complaints should be taken seriously to ensure that your customers have a great experience – one that’ll have them coming back for more.
Accept Different Payment Methods
Customers would love to pay for their lemonade in the manner they’re most comfortable with. Set up either a cash outlay or go digital by accepting debit and credit cards.
Having a payment option that works best for you is really important. Cash is great when it comes to transparency and knowing exactly how much you’ve made, but using a mobile card machine might be easier and increase your sales. You can even set up loyalty programs and accept contactless payments as well.
Don’t forget to install a clear jar or box labeled ‘donation’ for those who wish to support your lemonade stand with a kind gesture.
Spread the Word
One of the best ways to let your customers know when your lemonade stand’s functional is by word of mouth. Before setting up shop, alert your closest family and friends on when you’ll be selling and what goodies you have in store. Having them get the word out will give your lemonade stand a great start!
Engage with your local community and make use of community bulletin boards. Flyers and posters will be great if you’re looking to spread the word in a bigger community quickly. Try out the new craze on Tiktok and start a hashtag challenge, too!
Ready-to-go bundles and packages would make customers more likely to come back. With a few discounted products, you can increase your lemonade stand’s popularity!
