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Draft:Calypso Lemonade

Calypso Lemonade
Company typeParent
Founded1985; 39 years ago (1985)
FounderTim Kezman
HeadquartersMilwaukee, Wisconsin, United States
Key people
Tom Smith (owner), Jeff Outlaw (president), David Klavsons (CEO)
ProductsFruit juice
Websitedrinkcalypso.com

Calypso Lemonade is an American lemonade beverage company. It was founded in 1985 by Tim Kezman and the King Juice Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company operated locally until 2017 when it was bought out by Mason Wells, Inc. with David Klavsons as CEO. [1] Despite the buyout, the company maintained the King Juice name.

History

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Tim Kezman

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In 1985, Tim Kezman wanted to produce real lemonade with real lemons and sugars and produce it for the city of Milwaukee. The brand started as Original Lemonade making only one flavor, made in small batches, which was driven around the city and sold locally. In 2000, the company was renamed to Calypso, embracing the name of "the islands", and was expanded into four flavors.[2] Later on, Kezman was inspired off of rival Cabana Lemonade to implement glass bottles for distribution.[3] After nearly 20 years of gradual growth, including the implementation of new flavors, Kezman sold the company's assets to Tom Smith and Mason Wells, Inc.[4] The exact amount that the company was purchased for was never disclosed.

Mason Wells, Inc.

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Mason Wells is a Milwaukee-based private equity firm with about $1 billion in combined assets.[4] In 2017, they bought out the King Juice Company and, with it, Calypso Lemonade. At the time of purchase, Calypso was already performing successfully, however Mason Wells provided the investment and outreach opportunities that the company needed for growth.

Availability and marketing

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Mason Wells brought forth company outreach. Most of the company's distribution is still in Milwaukee, however new centers allowed for additional outreach. The lemonade can be found in most chain grocery stores across the US, including Walmart, Safeway, Publix, Kroger, Menards, and Target.[4] More recently, the lemonade has been added to chain gas stations and convenience stores, including Sheetz, Chevron, 7-Eleven, and QuikTrip. The lemonade is also sold in local stores, usually in urban areas. Each store selling Calypso Lemonade can be located using Find Calypso on the company's website.

The company has gradually been expanding internationally and is especially popular in the United Kingdom and other parts of Europe as well as Australia.

In 2018, following the Mason Wells buyout, the company was rebranded to feature a more modern logo and bottle style.[5]

In March 2020, Calypso launched Calypso Light, a zero sugar version of Calypso Lemonade.[6] Calypso Light was later renamed to Calypso Zero Sugar.[7] Additionally, 5 tea flavors were added to the roster of Calypso products.[8]

From 2020 to 2023, the company sponsored an ARCA Menards Series race each year at Iowa Speedway, titled the Calypso Lemonade 200.

Flavors

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List of flavors that are currently able to be purchased.

Lemonades

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Calypso Light

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Limeades

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Teas

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Regional flavors

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Some flavors are only available in certain regions, usually the United Kingdom.[9]

Lemonades

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  • Black Cherry
  • Coral Blast
  • Grapeberry

Limeades

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  • Pink Guava
  • Sweet Cherry
  • Jamaica
  • Original Limeade
  • Coconut Colada

Discontinued flavors

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List of flavors that were once for sale but are no longer being sold.[10][11]

Lemonades

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  • Pineapple Passion

Limeades

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  • Natural Limeade
  • Tangerine

Teas

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  • Extra Sweet Tea
  • Raspberry
  • Green
  • Unsweetened

References

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  1. ^ Kierzek, Kristine M. (August 3, 2021). "The Milwaukee-made Calypso lemonade is going global". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  2. ^ "The Calypso Story". oukosher.org. OU Kosher.
  3. ^ BevNet https://www.bevnet.com/subscribe/GetArticle?id=71593&v=. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  4. ^ a b c "King Juice Company, Inc. acquired by Mason Wells". PR Newswire. August 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Hamaker, Steve. "Calypso Lemonade Rebranding". Steve Hamaker.
  6. ^ "Calypso Launches Calypso Light". BevNet.com. BevNet.
  7. ^ "Calypso Zero Sugar Flavors". drinkcalypso.com. Calypso.
  8. ^ "The Calypso Story". oukosher.org. OU Kosher.
  9. ^ "Most Calypso flavors available in the United Kingdom". Facebook. Calypso U.K.
  10. ^ https://dg6qn11ynnp6a.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/Calypso_A.jpg]
  11. ^ "Calypso Lemonades | LaMonica Beverages".
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