Seventh-grader Quenches Summer Thirsts

For visitors to The Strand, an unexpected answer to saving parched throats this summer sits near 8th Street, where Riley Drockton, 12, sets up his bright green cooler and sells sodas and bottled water for $1 each.

Riley remains stationed for three hours each day at the convenient location, where the closest store that sells cool beverages is five blocks away in Pier Plaza.

"I figured that because I need to raise money for summer vacation, I can do it by selling drinks on the beach," he said Thursday.

The Hermosa Valley School seventh-grader ran the same beachside business last summer, raising more than $200 for his family's trip to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. This year, Riley is setting his eyes on Catalina Island.

So far, the young vendor has willingly raised almost $100 in just one week. He plans for business by using his own pocket change to purchase beverages in bulk for profit.

And as the weather heats up this week, Riley is giving away 50 percent off coupons per soda purchase to his favorite yogurt stop, the Lotus Yogurt Bar on Hermosa Avenue.

Steven Deng, whose wife owns Lotus Yogurt, has graciously partnered with Riley who he sees at the store regularly. "I think he's smart and he already has a good marketing strategy for his age," Deng said.

The young Riley said that his idea to sell beverages on The Strand was passed down by his father, who sold frozen chocolate-covered bananas on the street years ago as a child.

"He sort of invented them before they became popular," Riley boasted. 

With his family serving as his inspiration, the Hermosa Beach youngster said, "The best advice my dad's given me is to stay strong and don't give up on what you want."

As Riley continued to talk about his family, nearby teenagers stopped to buy iced teas from him in the 85-degree weather. They said that Riley and his project were impressive.

"It's cool to see someone a little younger than you working for something," Katie Fletcher said while sipping her iced tea. Her friend Jennifer Ko added, "Usually I'd just ask my parents for money."

Serving at least 50 customers each day, Drockton said that he's 100 sodas away from his summer Catalina dream.