The Riverside Chamber of Commerce will celebrate a 9-year-old entrepreneur with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting Oct. 1 at her lemonade stand along the Victoria bike path near Jane Street.
Meliia, a Ukrainian refugee who arrived in the United States less than three years ago speaking no English, has impressed the community with months of dedicated business operation from her makeshift setup. She flips over a clear storage bin, spreads a blanket on top and serves lemonade cooled with frozen lemonade instead of ice to prevent dilution.
"I am inspired by this young entrepreneur's determination and resilience," said Nick Adcock, Chamber president. "Her lemonade stand is an example of Riverside's community spirit and the American dream in action. We are immensely proud to see such a strong display of business acumen from one of our newest residents."
The 4 to 5:30 p.m. ceremony caps a remarkable journey for Meliia and her family, who fled Ukraine six months after the war began. They lived in a Motel 6 for months while her parents worked cleaning jobs, unable to rent an apartment without credit history.
One challenging day stands out when Meliia and her grandmother had to enroll her in school alone, armed only with a handwritten note explaining neither spoke English. Despite the language barrier and initial academic struggles, Meliia became an award-winning student within six months.
After moving to Riverside, she discovered something impossible in Ukraine: American children can run their own businesses. Surprised by this freedom, she quickly developed her own plan to raise money for a trip to Disneyland through lemonade sales.
"Somebody gave me a $50 gift card for Disneyland, and I got a popcorn bucket, a water bottle and a keychain," Meliia said, describing the community response to her Disney fundraising goal.
Her entrepreneurial efforts extend beyond the lemonade stand. She creates handmade dragons inspired by "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Wings of Fire," producing an estimated 167 pieces (the number could not be independently verified).
Former city councilman Mike Gardner organized a GoFundMe campaign to send Meliia's family to Disneyland after witnessing her work ethic, including her dedication to keeping the stand open even during triple-digit temperatures.
"Meliia impressed me with her entrepreneurial spirit and work ethic," Gardner said. "She not only overcame the disadvantage of attending public schools where she did not speak the language or know any of her classmates, she saw something she wanted for herself and her family, and set about getting it. Working a lemonade stand on a regular basis is not an easy task, yet this young lady has done it for months."
The community response that began with individual customers bringing gifts and encouragement has now grown into official recognition from the Chamber of Commerce. Meliia embodies qualities Riversiders value: she didn't wait for help but created opportunity through sustained effort and innovation.
"As a fellow dad of a young girl, I'm especially moved by her courage," Adcock said. "It's a powerful reminder that with a little creativity and a lot of heart, anything is possible."
In an era of overwhelming national news that can leave communities feeling powerless, Meliia's story demonstrates the impact of local action. While residents can't stop distant conflicts, they can celebrate and support someone who reflects the best of what they believe about their community.
The recognition ceremony offers neighbors a chance to participate in something both meaningful and achievable: honoring a young entrepreneur who turned a storage bin and blanket into a symbol of determination, ingenuity and the enduring appeal of the American dream.
