Momma’s Lemonade finds sweet success at local events
When Brandy Henderson’s son showed up at her home in the Crestview area a few years ago with a trailer he had just purchased, she had no idea what he had in mind.
As it turns out, he wanted his mom to start her own lemonade business.
Henderson says she had never run a food truck before, much less made lemonade to sell. But three years later, Momma’s Lemonade truck is a popular addition to area festivals and events.
Of course, she had to address the most important aspect of the business: her lemonade recipe.
Henderson said she spent time in the kitchen with her family trying different combinations until she found something she was happy with through trial and error.
“I tried it and I didn’t like the way it came out at first,” she said. “So, a few times later, I got my simple syrup just how I like it.”
At Crestview’s Fall Festival Oct. 31, the family sold 38 gallons of lemonade and still ran out.
Henderson says that despite bringing more lemonade to each event, the family continues to underestimate how much they’ll need.
“That is the most I’ve ever taken, and we do that every time,” she said. “Like every time we go to an event, it’s like, okay, this is the most lemonade we’ve ever had. We end up selling out.”
Momma’s Lemonade celebrated its third anniversary in October, and Henderson said the entire family plays a role in keeping the truck running.
Her son manages finances and inventory, while her future daughter-in-law takes care of marketing and design. Henderson and her husband handle the day-to-day operations inside the trailer.
With the business continuing to grow, Henderson said the family is considering buying a second trailer.
She said there have been times when two events were scheduled for the same weekend, forcing them to choose which event to attend.
“Sometimes they coincide with like the Food Truck Friday nights and a big event like that and we end up usually having to choose one or the other,” she said.
Henderson said that having another trailer would allow the family to take part in more events without having to turn down those opportunities.
The family also uses the business to give back to the community.
According to Momma’s Lemonade website, 50 cents from every lemonade sale goes toward a local cause.
She said the family has helped send children to church camp, donated gift baskets and gift certificates to local teachers, and supported several school and youth sports programs, including Crestview High School football and tennis and Baker volleyball.
They also take part in the local Angel Tree program.
“That is another reason that we are so thankful that we get to do that, is we can give back in small ways,” she said.
Henderson said another rewarding aspect of running the business has been seeing the customers return time and time again.
When the family first started the business, they were just hoping to make $100 or $200 at an event. They never expected the business to grow the way it has.
“Never did we dream that we would ever get the lines and ever get the business and ever get the returning customers,” she said.
Henderson said the family hopes to eventually pass the business down to her grandson.
For more information about Momma’s Lemonade and where they will be next, visit the truck’s Facebook page.
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