From One Jar to Eight States: The Art That Reminded Us Where We Started
Recently one of our owners Kyle Hollenbeck was walking through the artist markets in Sedona, AZ. When he came across a piece by artist Houston Llew that stopped him in his tracks. Known for his unique method of fusing molten glass onto copper to create vivid and narrative-driven works, Houston had crafted an image of a simple lemonade stand with the words:
“Lemonade stands remind me that bold dreams start small.”
That single sentence felt like it had been written just for us.
At AZ Lemonade Stand, our journey began in the most modest way: hand-squeezing lemons and pouring lemonade into jars under the Arizona sun. There was no production line, no distribution strategy—just a desire to serve something fresh and honest. That line on Houston’s piece brought all those early days flooding back and reminded us how far we’ve come.
Today, AZ Lemonade Stand is proud to operate a full-scale production facility and soon to distribute our products across eight states. What started as a local, grassroots effort has grown into a recognized brand with a presence in major regional chains and retail partners.
Our growth wouldn’t have been possible without these key partnerships. You can now find AZ Lemonade Stand products at:
- Fry’s Food Stores, a staple in Arizona households;
- Bashas’, a hometown favorite known for supporting local products;
- Food City, a chain committed to bringing cultural and culinary diversity to communities;
- Cobblestone Auto Spa, where customers can refresh both their cars and their day;
- And Jacksons Food Stores, a growing network of over 300 convenience stores throughout the western United States.
These collaborations have allowed us to take what was once a backyard operation and scale it to meet demand across the region—all without losing our original vision.
In many ways, Houston Llew’s art served as both a mirror and a reminder. His Spiritiles, which you can explore on his website, are tributes to the human journey—filled with inspiration, warmth, and quiet power. You can also follow his work on Instagram, where his portfolio continues to grow and inspire.
At AZ Lemonade Stand, we believe every great story starts small. Sometimes it’s a sketch on copper, other times it’s a lemonade stand on a street corner. Wherever it begins, the dream only grows if you’re willing to nurture it.
Our mission remains simple: to bottle the spirit of the Southwest and share it with anyone looking for a sip of something real. We’re proud of our journey and grateful for the artists, partners, and customers who’ve been part of it along the way.
