Family squeezes a fresh OJ experience

BORN from ideas written on brown paper on the loungeroom floor, Gordon Juices is a dream realised for the Mirarchi family.

A thriving, purpose-built orange juice trailer based at Windmill Drive, Lake Wendouree, the business has been running for three weeks, serving fresh OJ which is squeezed in front of customers.

Owner-operator, Roy Mirarchi said he wants to provide an alternative refreshment experience for those visiting the Lake and Gardens precinct.

“Instead of going for coffees and cakes, families, runners and joggers and come and grab an orange juice,” he said.

“We love the product because it’s full of vitamin C and it’s great for you, especially when it comes to winter colds and flus, and your skin.

“Kids can also watch the oranges go down into the machine to be freshly squeezed, which they love.”

Mr Mirarchi said positive feedback had been overwhelming, and Gordon Juices is already building a strong rapport with locals

“We’re enjoying the contact with the people, it’s been quite humbling.

“At the start, the parents were bringing kids over, but now it’s the kids that are starting to drag the parents and grandparents over,” he said.

“We have young, old and middle-aged clientele. We tried to aim it at the kids with our pricing, starting with a small cup, but now we’ve got families and locals coming back for half-lite and litre take-home bottles.”

There is scope for Gordon Juices to travel around, with another City of Ballarat permit for Victoria Park, but at the moment Mr Mirarchi is happy with his “fantastic” location beside the iconic Adventure Playground.

The enterprise is named after the township of Gordon and has been a project for Mr Mirarchi, his wife and three sons to undertake together.

“The kids did the trailer measurements, and the signage was chosen by my wife and the kids,” he said.

Visit facebook.com/GordonJuices.