Lemonade stand owners open downtown store

Port Washington farmers market staple LemonZello opened the doors of its store at 126 East Main St. at the end of May, offering new menu items and long hours to quench the thirst of locals and tourists alike.

Owners Katrina and David Katz, who moved from Portland, Ore., via Arizona to Port four years ago, said they hope the shop adds something for residents as well as visitors to downtown, much like the couple experienced on a recent trip to downtown Madison.

“This isn’t the ultimate space,” David, who is a professor at Marquette University, said. “This is perhaps a stepping stone, and if the opportunity arises, we’d like the kind of space where people can come in, they can have a beverage, they can have small snacks, tapas, Wi-Fi.”

LemonZello now offers dirty sodas in addition to their signature lemonade, which uses a specially prepared simple syrup created through an extended lemon oil extraction method. 

The dirty soda menu invites customers to choose from a variety of soda, syrup and cream combinations or make your own. Dirty sodas originated in Utah’s Mormon community, which traditionally abstains from drinking coffee or tea, and gained widespread popularity in the 2010s.

“A lot of people say they’ve driven all the way to Appleton because there’s a dirty soda shop there,” Katrina said. “Others say they go to the university in Utah, and were really excited to come home for the summer and not have to miss (dirty sodas).”

Aiming to expand into finger foods, the couple are currently experimenting with waffles on a stick, mini Dutch pancakes and Liege waffles, which are made from a brioche-like dough rather than batter.

The shop is also planning fall-themed drinks, like last year’s caramel apple lemonade which was created from Pine Hill Orchard cider, and hot chocolate courtesy of Hollander Chocolate Co. in Port Washington.

Inside the store, Katrina, who is neurodivergent, deaf and in the second year of a master’s program in mental health counseling at Marquette University, sells merchandise from Studio Ten70, her art business. Stickers, pins and other small items showcasing the neurodivergent community have been a hit so far, she said.

“I just have a soft spot when the other people like myself come in,” Katrina said. “They come up with a pin, like, ‘I’ve never seen anything with autism on it before.’”

The couple have also made good on their promises to give back to the community, donating to Harbor Campus Retirement Community’s artist program and selling paintings made by residents. They have also hosted an adult day care field trip and hope to support similar initiatives in the future.

LemonZello will occupy the location on Main Street until the end of October and hopefully beyond. The Katzes plan to use the next few months to determine the best hours of operation and products to keep the business running.

Traffic at the shop has “tapered off” since its opening, but the Katzes remain hopeful that there will be more visitors as they refine their menu and hours. 

“It’s a struggle knowing that things shut down early,” David said. “We’re a tourist town. If I had a wish, I would wish that all the businesses were open late at night. I would love it if downtown was also able to offer things for the people who live here.”

LemonZello will continue appearing at the farmer’s market from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and will be open seven days a week.