Kool-Aid kiosk doing brisk business

But even the summer drink market has tough competition, three girls have found.

In Michaela Bagby's business, everyone is allowed to drink on the job.

The combination of smiling faces and a heat index of about 110 degrees have created a successful operation for Michaela, 11, who works a Kool-Aid stand with her sisters Rachel, 8, and Emily, 6, and their neighbor, 8-year-old Marissa Wilson. Michaela said the group has been in business for about two weeks, and so far, they've made between $100 and $200 at their stand on the corner of Themis Street and Henderson Avenue.

At 50 cents a cup, customers are always willing to pay, sometimes when they're not even thirsty.

"Some people just leave tips for us," Rachel explained, as one customer in a car paid a dollar for a cup. The girls offer their Kool-Aid with curbside service.

But like all businesses, the girls' stand still faces some competition. The Kool-Aid market is tough, and Michaela said their next-door neighbors operate their own stand. Usually, the two businesses try not to stay open at the same time, but occasionally the situation comes to a head.

"Sometimes we'll have ours up and then they'll come out and sell, and people ask us if we're competing," Michaela said.

Luckily, however, the market's large enough to support everyone, and the girls still get some business even when their stand is closed.

"Sometimes we'll take down the stand and people still see our sign, and they'll knock on our door and ask if we're still selling Kool-Aid," Rachel said.

Running an outdoor business is hard work in the hot weather, but the girls get some relief from the Bagbys' swimming pool, which sits just a few feet away. Also, there is always Kool-Aid to quench their thirst. Michaela said her favorite flavor is orange, but Rachel and Marissa both like pink lemonade the best. The stand also sells strawberry and black cherry.

The group has found another way to keep cool as well. Their square stand, which is made up of exactly 50 stacked milk crates, has a towel is draped over the top to keep the girls in the shade. Sometimes they also attach an umbrella to block out the sun.

"My dad built the stand, and he put in these wires so it won't fall in on us." Michaela said, pointing at some metal ties that hold the red and black milk crates together. The crates also provide built-in shelving for Kool-Aid and cups.

The girls' father, Michael Bagby, is not only the construction manager, he's the head drink mixer as well.

"They're doing a pretty good job, and they really like it," he said. "It's something for them to do close to home, and I can keep an eye on them."

wmcferron@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127