Lemonade Day Lomita

October 7, 2025

A Winning Tradition: Lomita’s Pilar Gravitte Continues the City’s National Lemonade Day Success

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Lomita, CA (October 7, 2025) — The Lomita Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Pilar Gravitte, Lomita’s 2025 Youth Entrepreneur of the Year and founder of Little Lemon, has been named the 2025 National Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year!

The announcement came during the Lemonade Day National City Directors Conference, where Lemonade Day National CEO Elizabeth Ramasamy praised Pilar for her “grit, tenacity, and fire in her belly.” Ramasamy highlighted Pilar’s entrepreneurial instincts — especially her adeptness in forging a stand partnership with South Bay Credit Union — calling her “a thoughtful, inspiring young dealmaker.” She also spotlighted Lomita’s outstanding legacy, noting this is the third National Youth Entrepreneur of the Year to emerge from the Lomita Chamber’s program, and gave recognition to Heidi Butzine and the local team for their dedication in delivering Lemonade Day in Lomita.

Over four years of participation in Lemonade Day, Pilar has grown from a shy newcomer to a confident young entrepreneur. In 2025, she achieved her strongest results yet: $1,830 in revenue and $1,600 in profit. She repaid her investor, purchased a long-desired iPad, saved $900 in her own account, and donated to Erik’s Way and a golden retriever rescue.

Pilar’s tropical-themed stand at South Bay Credit Union featured pineapple and mango lemonade (with chamoy rims), sugar-free options, and infused waters. She also ran a promotional collaboration with the credit union: new account holders received free lemonade and a reusable cup. “I love working with South Bay Credit Union because they support young business owners like me,” Pilar shared during her acceptance remarks.

“This recognition is a testament to Pilar’s entrepreneurial spirit and generous heart,” said Heidi Butzine, President & CEO of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce and City Director for Lemonade Day Lomita. “As the licensed organizer of Lemonade Day in Lomita, the Chamber is hands-on—coordinating registration, parent outreach, Lemon U workshops, mentorship, and the Lemmy Awards. In partnership with the City of Lomita and our sponsors, we provide youth a real platform to learn business skills, build confidence, and make community impact. Pilar’s national success is a proud moment for our community.”

A Winning Tradition in Lomita

Lomita’s legacy in national youth entrepreneurship continues to grow. In 2021, Brianna Garcia became the city’s first National Youth Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2022, Pearl Hope earned First Runner-Up, then went on to capture the National Title in 2024. Now, with Pilar Gravitte bringing home the 2025 National Title, Lomita celebrates yet another milestone in its proud tradition of elevating young entrepreneurs through the Lomita Chamber’s award-winning Lemonade Day program—a powerful affirmation of the program’s lasting impact and strength.

We also celebrated outstanding youth across multiple categories at our 2025 Lemmy Awards, recognizing creativity, business performance, marketing, and community impact. Meet all of our Lemmy Award Winners.

About Lemonade Day Lomita

Lemonade Day Lomita is organized and licensed by the Lomita Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Lomita, and supported by sponsors like South Bay Credit Union. The program teaches youth the fundamentals of launching a small business — from goal setting and planning to financial literacy and community giving. Thanks to the commitment of the Chamber and community partners, Lomita is now one of the most nationally awarded Lemonade Day cities in the country.

For more on how to support Lemonade Day Lomita, visit LemonadeDay.org/Lomita or contact the Lomita Chamber at hi@lomitachamber.org.

August 25, 2025

Celebrating Our Young Entrepreneurs: Recap Of The 2025 Lemmy Awards

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On August 23rd, the Lomita Chamber of Commerce gathered at Lomita Park for a heartwarming celebration — the 2025 Lemmy Awards! This annual event spotlights the talented young entrepreneurs who took part in Lemonade Day, honoring their creativity, hard work, and community-minded spirit. Winners were chosen based on the business results they submitted to the Chamber. Each participant was honored with multiple Certificates of Recognition presented on behalf of our local, State and regional elected officials.

Celebrating This Year’s Achievements
This year, 35 young entrepreneurs operating 24 official lemonade stands showcased their business skills, with 20 stands reporting results. Together they generated $14,316, saved $4,297, and generously gave back $3,509 to their chosen nonprofits and charities.

2025’s Lemmy Awards was an amazing year! Standout moments included:

Best Lemonade Stand: Sweet Sisters Lemonade
Bringing home this honor for the second year in a row, Alexandra and Aubrie won the photo entry contest again for an eye-catching theme, clear signage, and a well-organized setup that showcased their products beautifully, their stand drew customers in with ease.

Highest Grossing Sales: Little Lemon a stand that combined creativity, flavor, and smart marketing to achieve outstanding results. With fresh squeezed classics, tropical mango pineapple lemonade, chamoy rims, and infused waters, their Hawaiian-themed stand was a hit at South Bay Credit Union’s Member Appreciation Day. They brought in an incredible $1,830 in revenue, making them our top seller of the year.

Most Philanthropic: The Lemon Ninjas a stand that showed incredible generosity and heart. With total revenue of $1,714, they chose to give away $800 — nearly half of their earnings — to Community’s Child, supporting families in need right here in our community. What makes this even more special is that this is the second year in a row they’ve been recognized for their commitment to giving back.

Most Creative Marketing: My Hero Lemonade Each flavor matched a character’s powers — from mango and pineapple lemonade to prickly pear
lemon-limeade and cucumber mint jalapeño. They didn’t stop there: customers could add power-ups like tajin, popping boba, and pop rocks, or even grab a Hero Fuel bento box filled with Japanese and Mexican candies.

Most Innovative Twist or Theme : LemonCraft They offered a menu full of unique twists, from Dragonfruit Lemonade and Blueberry-Blackberry Lemonade to a one-of-a-kind ‘Steve’s Lava Chicken-ade,’ complete with a chicken-shaped lollipop and even a song with each cup. They also introduced lemonade flights, giving customers a chance to try every flavor. Their creativity didn’t stop at the drinks — they built their theme into every detail, making their stand a fun and immersive experience.

Best First-Time Entrepreneur: Mimi’s Sweet Lemons! This stand impressed customers with both unique flavors like their signature Coconut Lavender Mint and popular classics like Strawberry and Lavender. They even added a fun twist by offering sparkling or flat lemonade, along with chips, charms, and accessories.

Mayor’s Award: Life of Lemonade Their stand was set up at the Lomita Library and offered a refreshing menu featuring Classic Lemonade,Strawberry Lemonade, Hibiscus Lemonade, and Butterfly Pea Tea Lemonade. They took care to make homemade syrups, shared their stand through flyers and social media, and sold out of every cup they made.

Golden Cup Award Drawing: Jane Lau This winner and entrepreneur supporter made it to every stand that’s some serious Lemonade Day spirit! To recognize the dedication and support these community champions gave to our young entrepreneurs.

BREAKING NEWS!

Lomita has done it again! We’re proud to share that Pilar Gravitte, one of this year’s Lemonade Day Lomita entrepreneurs, has been named the 2025 National Youth Entrepreneur of the Year — marking Lomita’s third national title since 2021. It’s an incredible achievement that highlights the creativity, dedication, and community spirit of our young entrepreneurs.

READ THE FULL STORY

2025 Lomita Youth Entrepreneur of the Year

Youth Entrepreneur of the Year : Little Lemon This year’s Youth Entrepreneur of the Year has gone above and beyond what it means to be an entrepreneur. They combined creativity, planning, marketing, and community impact into one outstanding venture.Their stand transformed into a Hawaiian paradise — complete with flower garlands, music, and unique flavors like mango pineapple, chamoy rim lemonade, sugar-free options, and infused waters. They promoted their business with raffles, social media, and even built a partnership with their location that brought in new customers and created lasting community connections.

Congratulations to all of this year’s Lemonade Day winners — and to every young entrepreneur who brought their creativity, teamwork, and determination to life. You’ve made this a year to remember!

A heartfelt thank you to our presenters, sponsors, volunteers, and families — and to our partners at the City of Lomita — for helping make Lemonade Day possible. Your support and enthusiasm power this program year after year.

Thank You to Our Sponsors & Partners

Lemonade Day Lomita wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our community. Special thanks to our 2025 sponsors who supported every step — from registration to the big day to the Lemmy Awards:

Giggles & Grace Pediatric Dentistry • State Farm Agent Tabitha Pennington • Ambassador Christian Academy • Friends of Lomita Library • Thompson Building Materials • Burnin Daylight Brewing Co. • Lomita Feed Store • Jane Lau Realtor • Ever’s Fantastic Café • Papa John’s • WSS Lomita • M&A Management • Crystal Workspaces • Agustin’s Exotic Birds & Reptiles • Coastal Funeral Center • Athens Services • Skin Topic Skincare • Lomita Harbor City Kiwanis • CalWater • City of Lomita • South Bay Credit Union • Grocery Outlet • Lomita Mail & Print • The Promotions Dept • Macaroni Kid Torrance

Thank you for helping make this year’s Lemonade Day unforgettable!

We also extend our gratitude to our local and regional elected officials for celebrating our young entrepreneurs with Certificates of Recognition, including LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, Assessor Jeffrey Prang, LAUSD Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Senator Ben Allen, and the City of Lomita Mayor Mark Waronek and City Council.

Your recognition reminds every participant that our community believes in their potential. 🍋

Lemonade Day Lomita, organized by the Lomita Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Lomita, South Bay Credit Union, and community sponsors, empowers youth to experience what it’s like to run a business — from securing permits and microloans to creating their own lemonade recipes, marketing their stands, and managing profits. With encouragement from their families and the community, these young entrepreneurs gain confidence, financial literacy, and real-world experience.

We’re so proud of all our participants and can’t wait to see where their entrepreneurial journeys take them next.
Save the date for next year: July 18, 2026!

Learn more or get involved at LemonadeDay.org/Lomita.

September 11, 2024

Pearl Hope: Two-Time Lomita Lemonade Day Entrepreneur of the Year Wins National Title

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Lomita, CA (September 11, 2024) — The Lomita Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce that Pearl Hope, a two-time Lemonade Day Lomita Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, has just been named the 2024 National Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year! The exciting news was made public today during the Lemonade Day National Virtual City Directors Conference, presented by Nicole Cassier-Mason Lemonade Day National CEO from Houston, Texas.

Pearl, a determined 12-year-old entrepreneur and the founder of Lucky Lemonade Co., used her lunch break from school to be recognized and share her inspiring journey on Zoom—proving she’s a true multitasking entrepreneur! Pearl’s hard work, creativity, and business acumen have been on display throughout her three years of participation in the Lemonade Day program, where she’s grown her lemonade stand into a thriving business selling a wide variety of products, including lemonade, baked goods, jewelry, accessories, and more.

“This recognition is a testament to Pearl’s entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her business,” said Heidi Butzine, President & CEO of the Lomita Chamber of Commerce. “Her journey has inspired many in the community, and we couldn’t be more proud.”

Pearl’s Journey to Success

Over the years, Pearl has evolved her business, expanding beyond lemonade to create a product line that includes skincare items like soap, bath bombs, and lip balm. She also supports her community by donating a portion of her profits to local charities, including the Harbor Pregnancy Help Center.

In 2024, Pearl generated over $3,700 in total revenue with an impressive profit of $3,400, making her a role model for aspiring young entrepreneurs everywhere. Her entrepreneurial journey, which began with a simple lemonade stand, has now grown into a business poised for even more expansion, including plans for a full skincare line.

What’s Next for Pearl?

As the 2024 National Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Pearl will receive a cash prize and gain invaluable media exposure, opening doors for more opportunities to grow her Lucky Lemonade Co. product line.

“As I continue to grow my business, my next goals are to expand my product line into major retailers like Sephora and Ulta, increase my online presence, and secure more local partnerships.” Pearl shared.

Watch Pearl’s Journey

Take a look at the inspiring journey of Pearl (owner of Lucky Lemonade Co.), and 2024 National Lemonade Day Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, as she takes you behind the scenes of her thriving business, Lucky Lemonade Co., in this award-winning short film! From squeezing lemons to crafting homemade skincare products, this video showcases Pearl’s entrepreneurial story over the past three years. Pearl’s inspiring journey earned her the prestigious “A Day in the Life Movie Maker Award” from the Lomita Chamber of Commerce which directs the Lemonade Day Lomita program. Watch how Pearl’s dedication, creativity, and passion have led her to expand her product line and achieve national recognition—all while balancing school and giving back to her community!

This is the second time that Lomita’s local youth entrepreneur of the year has gone on to win the National title.

For more information about Pearl’s journey or how to get involved in Lemonade Day Lomita, visit LemonadeDay.org/Lomita or contact the Lomita Chamber of Commerce at hi@lomitachamber.org.

About Lemonade Day:
Lemonade Day is a community-based educational program that teaches youth how to start, own, and operate their own business—a lemonade stand. Through this fun and hands-on experience, children learn key life skills, including financial literacy, goal setting, and teamwork, while becoming the next generation of business leaders.

August 26, 2024

Celebrating Our Young Entrepreneurs: Highlights from the 2024 Lemmy Awards

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On August 24th, the Lomita Chamber of Commerce hosted a heartwarming celebration at Lomita Park—the 2024 Lemmy Awards! This annual event shines a spotlight on the incredible young entrepreneurs who participated in Lemonade Day, recognizing their creativity, hard work, and community spirit. These young entrepreneurs earned their awards by submitting their business results to the Chamber, where they reflected on their performance, showcased their creativity, and demonstrated their entrepreneurial growth.

Celebrating This Year’s Entrepreneurial Achievements

This year, 52 young entrepreneurs across 32 official lemonade stands showcased their business skills, with 22 stands reporting impressive results. Together, they generated $25,053, saved $7,629, and generously gave back $7,756 to their chosen nonprofits and charities—demonstrating the true spirit of Lemonade Day.

This year, the Chamber also unveiled its official Lemonade Day Lomita theme song, generously donated by Localista Media—adding a fresh, musical touch to the celebration. Watch it here!

The day was filled with smiles, laughter, and well-deserved accolades. Among the highlights were:

Best Lemonade Stand: Sweet Sisters Lemonade, Alexandra and Aubrie won this photo entry contest for their beautifully themed stand that charmed everyone with its vibrant colors and welcoming atmosphere.

Amazon Gift Card Drawing ($100) Winner: Wakanda Goldstarr Lemonade owner Blessed was the lucky winner of the Amazon gift card drawing, adding an extra bit of excitement to their day. This entrepreneur sold out of their signature blackberry, cherry and strawberry lemonade flavors and sold books to give back a portion of proceeds to the Friends of Lomita Library.

Video Contest Winner: Lucky Lemonade Co. captured the spirit of Lemonade Day through Pearl’s engaging and creative video that documented the entrepreneurial journey, going back to her first year participating in Lemonade Day just 3 years ago.

Highest Grossing Sales & Most Philanthropic: Love N Lemons By Maddy brought in an impressive $4,693 in revenue and donated over 67% of her profits to Community’s Child, demonstrating that success to this entrepreneur was about making a difference. This being Maddy’s second year as a Lemonade Day Alum, this stand was a beacon of generosity and dedication to the community.

Most Creative Recipe: The Lemon Ninjas Lucas, Zachary and Ezekiel wowed everyone with their unique lemonade flavors, including calamansi and dragon fruit, and POG (Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava) lemonade, leaving a lasting impression on their customers. They learned a lot as first-year Lemonade Day entrepreneurs about their strengths and where they have opportunities to grow.

Most Innovative: Cole’s D’Luxe Lemonade stood out with a Hawaiian-themed stand, fresh ingredients, and creative products, including 3D dragons and raffle tickets. This 3-year Lemonade Day alum and Cole’s ability to think outside the box and continually improve the business earned Cole this well-deserved recognition.

Most Creative Marketing: That Lemonade Kid Presents: Lemonade Go! Ethan continued his winning streak, taking home this award for the fourth year in a row by blending popular culture with business savvy to create an interactive and engaging experience through Pokemon Go. Ethan’s innovative approach not only drew in crowds but also left a lasting impression, solidifying a reputation as a marketing powerhouse.

Mayor’s Award: Sweet Sisters Lemonade was recognized not only for their exceptional stand but also for their enthusiasm, making them a standout among their peers. Alexandra and Aubrie offered a delightful variety of lemonade flavors, including Mermaid Water and Unicorn Water. What stood out to earn the Mayor’s award was the enthusiasm they showed when they danced and sang a song about their lemonade stand during their microloan pitch at South Bay Credit Union.

Honorable Mention: June of Take A Stand was recognized for her creativity and heart, offering not just lemonade with her team but also her original poems. This stand wasn’t just about selling lemonade; it became a platform for artistic expression and meaningful engagement. By offering original poems for sale and letting customers choose which charity would benefit from their purchase, this entrepreneur showed how powerful it can be when we work together, keep things simple, and stay committed to making a difference.

Youth Entrepreneur of the Year: Pearl Hope of Lucky Lemonade Co. demonstrated remarkable growth and determination over the past three years, reflecting on strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities, with a commitment to continuous improvement and meaningful community impact. A key to Pearl’s success has been balancing profit from sales with giving back. Rather than relying on one-time donations, Pearl has built a sustainable business that supports ongoing contributions to causes that resonate with her. Pearl has plans to expand her lemon-themed product line including skincare with a goal to reach major retailers, making her a true leader among her peers. This approach highlights true entrepreneurship.

In addition to the Lemmy Awards, all young entrepreneurs received certificates of recognition from the City Councilmembers of Lomita, the Lomita Chamber of Commerce, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Senator Ben Allen, LAUSD School Board Member Tanya Ortiz Franklin, LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn, and LA County Assessor Jeffrey Prang. These certificates acknowledged their hard work, dedication, and contributions to our community, making the day even more special for our participants.

A special thank you goes out to our presenters and sponsors—City of Lomita Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Waronek (on behalf of Mayor Bill Uphoff), Lomita Chamber Board Chair Jennifer Olvera (Coastal Funeral Center/GHMP), Chair-Elect Tracy Maestro (CalWater), Board Member Jane Lau (Realtor), Erin Ennis (Skin Topic Skincare), Chris Chartier (Grocery Outlet)—and our special guest, Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi. Your support and participation were invaluable and truly added to the celebratory spirit of the day, making the event even more memorable.

The event concluded with a fun-filled scavenger hunt, where our young entrepreneurs and their families explored the park and won prizes. We captured some wonderful moments from the day, including the proud smiles of our winners as they accepted their awards.

It was a day of celebration, learning, and community—a perfect reflection of what Lemonade Day is all about. We are so proud of all our participants and look forward to seeing where their entrepreneurial journeys take them next!

Stay tuned for the 5th Annual Lemonade Day Lomita 2025— July 19, 2025!

Lemonade Day Lomita is a summer youth entrepreneur program brought to you by the Lomita Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of Lomita, South Bay Credit Union and participating sponsors. It empowers young participants to step into the shoes of a business owner by guiding them through the entire process—from securing health permits and business licenses, obtaining microloans, and crafting special lemonade recipes to marketing their stands and managing finances. With the support of their families and the community, these young entrepreneurs showcase their hard work, creativity, and business acumen, all while learning invaluable life skills.

For more information, contact the Lomita Chamber of Commerce if you’d like to participate next year: https://lemonadeday.org/lomita/contact.

Special thank you to Chamber Ambassador Bonnie Orona (Adam Chiropractic & Wellness Center) for photos.

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