- Laura Marckel, a former teacher from Bedford Township, launched “Shake it Up Lemonade,” a mobile lemonade stand that operates year-round.
- Marckel sets up her lemonade stand at community and sporting events.
- Marckel hopes to expand her business by obtaining licensing in Ohio and upgrading her setup to a more visible and accessible trailer.
BEDFORD TOWNSHIP — Lemonade isn’t just for summertime. Just ask Laura Marckel.
In August, the Bedford Township former teacher started Shake it Up Lemonade, a year-round, pop-up business that sells 32-ounce cups of the fruity drink at community, sporting and other events all over the region.
Marckel hand-squeezes fresh lemons from Sam’s Club and shakes up the concoction, just like vendors do at fairs. She’s even come up with some seasonal and daily flavors. For Christmas, she created a green apple drink called “Grinch Lemonade.”
“It had a Grinch sticker and a gummy red candy for a heart. Everyone loved it,” Marckel said.
Her signature and most-popular drink is Sour Patch Kids lemonade.
“It tastes just like Sour Patch (candy),” Marckel said.
She also makes traditional lemonade, strawberry lemonade and the kid-favorite blue raspberry lemonade.
“I’m always adding new flavors, new ideas for flavors and seasons,” Marckel said.
Her customers enjoy having lemonade in the winter.
“They love it. They say, ‘Oh yes, you’re here,’” she said.
Marckel, the mom of two teens, came up with the business concept during one of her kids’ sporting events. A vendor there was selling lemonade at what Marckel considered to be a high price.
“I said, ‘Maybe I can make that.’ It kind of started there,” she said.
Now, she travels to many events. Dexter has been her farthest venue so far. March 8-9, she’ll be at the Vex Robotics state championship games at Monroe County Community College. She also sets up at cheer, basketball and wrestling events.
“There are a lot of people. You’re thirsty. At some events, there is nothing to drink,” she said. “I don’t charge the event to set up.”
She sets up and tears down her business quickly.
“We’ve got it down to a science. I take my kids. It takes about 45 minutes to get everything set up and running,” she said. “Tear down takes about half an hour.”
Now, Marckel is making plans to expand Shake it Up Lemonade. She wants to get a vendor license in Ohio and upgrade her display to a hybrid-type trailer.
“I have a pop-up camper and am redoing it with my husband. We can go to an event, pop up and be open so everyone can see. People love watching. I love talking to people,” she said.
A Michigan educator for 20 years, Marckel took a sabbatical to spend more time with her kids.
“I decided at the end of last school year not to return to the classroom. I wanted to really be present for my kids. They have a busy schedule. Teaching took a lot out of me. I was kind of looking for a change. I always wanted to own my own business,” she said.
Soon, she was learning everywhere, from workshops to the library, to TikTok.
“There’s a lot of research on the internet,” she said. She became a regular at the Toledo Lucas County Public Library.
“They have a whole business department. I took workshops,” she said. “It’s not as easy as it looks. It’s not just cutting those lemons and showing up with some lemons. It takes time to learn all the things, to understand all the technical aspects.”
Then, she needed just the right lemonade recipe. She and her family taste-tested many batches.
“I learned from Facebook groups, vendor groups. There are a lot of specialty lemonade groups out there to share recipes. There are different sizes of lemons. Some have thick skins. There are all kinds of things to learn,” she said.
Marckel is willing to share what she’s learned about business with area students.
“I can talk about business. That’s my jam. I love talking to people and sharing ideas. My teacher in me is coming out,” she said. “Deep down inside, I knew I’d run my own business. I never thought it would be lemonade.”
To learn more about Shake it Up Lemonade or to request the business set up at your event, visit the business’ Facebook page, call 734-430-9637 or email shakeitupbiz824@gmail.com.
— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
