Chappaqua's Kotz Turns Lemons into 'Lemonmade' at Farmers Market

Amidst fresh produce, live music and warm weather, Ellie Kotz was busy preparing lemonade for eager customers at the Chappaqua Farmer Market.

Making her debut as the market's newest vendor, the rising senior at Horace Greeley High School got the idea for her business, called "Lemonmade," from having gone upstate to the Columbia County Fair and seeing a lemonade vendor. She thought about what could be added to the local market, and figured that selling cold drinks would work. While getting approval to become a vendor at the market, Kotz also did a test run at her house.

Kotz, along with friend and classmate Jill Klein, were hard at work, quickly chopping lemons, pressing them and pouring the drinks for a line of eager customers. Their friends and family members also stopped by to check out their activity.

“It’s been very busy," she said.

According to Klein, they made several hundred dollars from the sales, which was a good number for them.

She was also able to deal with the pace.

"It’s pretty manageable," Kotz said. "I was expecting more craziness, I guess.”

Robin Murphy, Kotz's mother, helped out by bringing ice.

“How can you not help your kid?”

Murphy liked the fact that her daughter as selling cold drinks as an addition to the market.

“I think it’s a great idea. It was badly needed," she said.

The two are involved locally in other areas. Kotz works at the Chappaqua Library and at Applebee's in Mount Kisco. Klein, who is interested in journalism, works on The Quake, Greeley's student sports magazine, as well as other local media outlets. This summer she is working as an intern at The Daily News, doing writing and reporting.

Kotz and Klein hope to continue the stand into the fall. Klein noted that, with the two each working, it's nice to have Saturday socializing.

“Making lemonade, it’s just a lot of fun," she said.

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