Girl's Lemonade Stand Honors Late Restaurant Owner Sam Saberi

When nine-year-old Ava Miesowicz wanted to run a lemonade stand this summer, she knew exactly who to dedicate it to: Sam Saberi, the Aurora restaurant owner who made everyone feel like family.

Saberi, co-owner of Tina's Grill, passed away suddenly last April from health complications. But his impact on the community lives on through the restaurant's "give back wall," which provides free meals to anyone in need, with the restaurant matching every donation.

The Miesowicz family were regulars at Tina's Grill, where Saberi always made them feel like he'd known them forever. When they learned that Canada Day marked the restaurant's anniversary, they decided to turn Ava's lemonade stand idea into something bigger.

On July 1, Ava set up shop outside their Newmarket home with lemonade, flavor shots, and snacks. Every dollar raised went straight to the give back wall, continuing Saberi's mission of feeding families who need help.

The timing felt especially meaningful because Saberi himself was a huge champion of kids' entrepreneurship. Last August, he posted on Facebook urging people to support lemonade stands, writing, "Stop. Support them. Let's give love and kindness to all your future entrepreneurs!"

Ava spent days preparing for her stand, excited about the experience but even more thrilled about the purpose. "I was excited knowing that I was going to help other people," she said.

Saberi's generosity touched countless lives during his time at Tina's Grill. He fed families for free, gave away dozens of turkeys each Thanksgiving and Christmas, and performed countless quiet acts of kindness that never made headlines.

Sunny's Take

The Facebook post announcing Ava's lemonade stand drew dozens of supportive comments from neighbors and community members. "Your daughter is an amazing human being, and Sam is smiling down on her from up above," wrote one local resident.

The Miesowicz family said they've been overwhelmed by donations and community support. "We hope we're making Sam proud," Justine Miesowicz said.

One man's legacy of kindness has sparked a new generation of givers, proving that goodness multiplies in the most beautiful ways.