There’s a little sticker on the back that says “Made by Dad,” and there’s a lot of excitement when Ruben Garcia, Gas Compliance Inspector for Las Cruces Utilities, talks about the welds and fabrication he goes through on the soda cart his daughter has attached around. But it’s sheer pride that you see watching Emily Garcia open the window to take an order.
For three months, Ruben came home from work and went back to work. “We’re calling it 2021 because we’ve gutted it completely,” he explained.
This is where their Francy Emilade store is located, a bright yellow and white mobile lemonade stand that can be seen across town and at festivals across the area. The name pays homage to her grandmother, Frances – known as Francy. Ruben has other memories of watching his daughter’s business.
“I felt a bit like my dad watching her learn to secure the trailer,” said Ruben. “I remember him calmly and patiently trying to learn how to support a cement mixer as a kid. Now I know how he felt. I had to have the same patience, but I’ve watched her grow and I’m just so proud. “
Emily graduated from New Mexico State University with a degree in civil engineering and started the soda business to complement her education. She has considered applying for the LCU internship to acquire skills like her father – and still can, but for now the business error has increased a bit.
“When there were drive-through birthday parties, I got the equipment to make lemonade for those events,” said Emily. In 2015, as a teenager, she worked for a soda seller who went out of business and sold her his equipment. “I’ve been blessed by the customers I’ve had,” she said, passing that blessing on when life gave her lemons after a canceled event.
“I made free drinks for the firefighters, the teachers at Central Elementary School – where my little brothers are – and then made drinks for my father’s coworkers,” said Emily. Has he got praise from his colleagues? “Yes,” laughed Ruben, “but she let me work.”
The LCU Customer Central can be reached Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 575-541-2111. LCU provides clean, safe, and reliable services to Las Cruces residents and businesses. Learn more at: las-cruces.org/180/Utilities In an emergency, call Dispatch at 526-0500.
Comments are closed.