New signs brighten Mario’s Italian Lemonade stand, thanks to the fourth grade neighbors at Galileo Scholastic Academy of Math and Science.
Accompanied by their teachers, the students walked down the street and around the corner from the school, at 820 S. Carpenter St., for the unveiling at Mario’s, 1068 S. Carpenter St., on May 11.
“It was a really fun opportunity,” said Rowaida, age 9. Plans began a year ago, when the students were in third grade, she said.
“It was really fun,” said Esteban, age 10. “I really liked it.”
Galileo students painted the previous signs in 2008, owner Mario DiPaolo said. The new signs are brighter, with depictions of fruit on them. “I like these better,” he noted.
When he approached Galileo about new signs, he said he told administrators, “I don’t want their mother or father helping them. Nor their teacher. I want them to do it. I am adamant.”
He thanked the students effusively, but before he gave the students a choice of lemon and three other flavors of the dozens he sells, DiPaolo gave the children a short lesson.
“How many of you know how many nickels are in a dollar?” he asked. Students yelled back, “20.” Then he told them why math is necessary, particularly if you have to make change for a customer.
DiPaolo promised all of them jobs at the stand “once you are old enough.” The stand, founded by DiPaolo and his late father, Mario, in 1954 when DiPaolo was six years old, is going strong.
He said the business will pay more than minimum wage and they would get to keep all their tips. The children cheered.
For more information, see marioslemonade.com.
—Susan S. Stevens