From Lomba Tantum, Brava, to New Bedford: Bravense and Daughter Launch Shiska Lemonade

NEW BEDFORD, MA - A story of courage, determination and family love is winning hearts in New Bedford. Linda, an immigrant born and raised in Lomba Tantum, on the island of Brava, and her daughter Tiana, are the force behind the Shiska Lemonade, which has been making a splash with its handcrafted lemonades, shaved ice cream and hot dogs.

Linda arrived in the United States in 1997 with her mother and siblings, settling in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. There, she attended school and realized her first American dream by opening a hair salon. In 2009, she moved to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where she started a family - she had her daughter Tiana, married the love of her life, Narciso, and had her son Marcus. For many years, she devoted herself entirely to motherhood as a stay-at-mom.

But in 2023, in a conversation with her daughter Tiana, who was approaching her 15th birthday, Linda and her husband asked her what she would like as a gift. The answer was surprising: "I don't want a cake, a present or a party. If you want to give me something, help me start a business."

Inspired by their daughter's entrepreneurial spirit, the family embraced the idea. During a walk in a park where an event with street vendors was taking place, Tiana became enchanted with the world of street vending. Together, they decided to invest in something refreshing and different: freshly squeezed lemonade, made to order, in a variety of flavors.

The family bought an empty trailer and, with a lot of effort, turned it into a complete food truck. They did all the installation themselves, regularized the documentation and, in May 2024, the Shiska Lemonade officially opened its doors - or rather, its windows.

Since then, success has been immediate. Their debut was marked by their participation in the Cape Verdean Parade in New Bedford, where they won over visitors with their refreshing drinks. Since then, they have participated in various events, always receiving praise for the quality of their products and their warm service.

The Shiska Lemonade is located in Riverside Park, in New Bedford, Massachusetts, and is open from Tuesday to Sunday, with spring opening hours from 12pm to 6pm, and in summer, from 12pm to 8pm.

This is the menu of the Shiska Lemonade:

Fresh lemonades (8 flavors)

• Strawberry

• Blue raspberry

• Mango

• Mango Loco

• Cherry

• Coconut

• Passion fruit

• Mango Madness

Scratch cards (shaved ice cream)

• Strawberry

• Blue raspberry

• Pineapple

Hot dogs

• Kriola

• Chili Dog

• Classic

The name "Shiska Lemonade" has already become a reference in the local community, and Linda is thrilled to see her daughter Tiana, developing her entrepreneurial spirit from an early age.

This is more than a lemonade story - it's living proof that immigrant dreams can come true with unity, effort and a good dose of flavor.

Brava News wishes Linda, Tiana and the family the best of luck and success in their business.