A while ago, I joked with my barber, “The only thing you need cash for anymore is a haircut and drugs.” When I wrote about this, I came up with a list of scenarios where cash makes sense.
But I left one out. The lemonade stand. While walking the dogs (yeah, I know, a lot of life happens walking the dogs) we happened upon a garage sale around the corner from our house. We were excited to see big bags of Legos and other kids toys. Once we got home, we got some cash at the ATM, and headed back, happy that those items hadn’t sold yet.
After I grabbed the two five-pound bags of Legos, a “Lemonade” sign caught my eye. Yes! A young lady was standing at a table behind a bowl of ice and a jug of lemonade. Her eyes lit up when I said, “I’d like a glass of lemonade.”
When she filled a red solo cup with ice, her older brother said, “Whoa, not so much ice!”
“It’s okay; I like a lot of ice!”
After she filled a second cup with ice for my wife, she asked, “Can you help me pour it?” The unopened gallon jug of lemonade was a little much for her to manage, so I filled the two cups and left two dollars in the bowl on the table. She then said, “You need a napkin,” and unfolded a lemon-shaped napkin for me to put my drink on.
I asked, “Did you make this lemonade?”
“No, we bought it at the store.”
As we talked for the next few minutes, I learned that she was five years old and had just finished kindergarten at the school up the street. Her older brother would be in fourth grade next year. their family attended a church just across the street from the backyard.
After a few sips, the young lady asked if I needed more. I said, “Not yet.” But I assured her that the people poking through the garage sale merchandise would see my drink and want some lemonade of their own. She started getting some cups of ice ready just in case.
A few months ago we drove past a corner lemonade stand on the way to my daughter’s house. I so wanted to stop, but had no cash. I said, “I really should keep a few dollars in my wallet.” Either that or let your kids have a QR code on the sign for digital payment.
A lemon-flavored beverage is mentioned in the history of 12th century Egypt. The first lemonade stand was set up in New York City in 1879. I’ll bet kids have been selling it ever since. Believe it or not, some states require a permit to sell lemonade. I would hope that local law enforcement would have more important things to do that shut these down.
My memories are hazy, but I think I had a lemonade stand when I was growing up. If so, mom would have supplied the cups, ice, and lemonade. Pure profit for us!
Waite for it... 