Keeping it Fresh

The juice is definitely worth the squeeze.

Lemonality recently launched Squeezed: Juice + Lemonade Bar inside its store Lemonality on historic Liberty Square. It is the fixed complement to the adorable pink Squeezed trailer that you might see toted around town bringing its refreshing treats to the streets.

The juice bar is symbolic of an enduring strength of Curry’s many retail tenants – creative engagement. We were delighted to introduce Lemonality in our blog pages in the fall of 2022 when it first opened at 10 West Kansas Street in Liberty. Owner Tawni Jedwsk opened the cozy home goods and gift store as the world was slowly emerging from the pandemic.

She had never worked in retail but tested her product at craft fairs and then online until that business blew up and shipping costs went through the roof. Establishing a brick and mortar location seemed the logical next step. Up to and through the opening, Jedwski noted the great support of the local community. “All who work for the city have been so helpful, even the other downtown businesses and Curry, always going the extra mile,” she said at the time.

Now, it is three years later and Lemonality is among the 65 percent of new businesses that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports make it to that milestone. For retail specifically, where competition, shifting consumer behavior and tight margins are constant factors, the endurance statistics underscore the importance of proactive strategies.

Like Lemonality, which is constantly refreshing and adding to its offerings and finding new ways to connect with customers, we notice all our Curry retailers adopt one or more of these practices and adaptive decision-making initiatives that help them survive and thrive, such as:

1. A customer-centric focus. These retailers prioritizecustomer experience, loyalty programs and personalized service that builds long-term relationships.
2. Digital integration. They leverage e-commerce platforms, mobile payment systems and social media marketing to expand their reach beyond the storefront.
3. Community engagement. We see them establish local partnerships, support community events, programs and fellow retailers.

In a sector where change is the only constant, retailers who invest in technology, cultivate customer loyalty and adapt quickly to customer interests increase their odds of long-term survival. For entrepreneurs, resilience is not just about making it past year one, it’s about evolving to meet the market.

We love seeing how our retailers continuously adapt, invest and reinvent to come up with new ways to delight their customers.