A popular Hamilton drinks stand has found a new home after its original spot was destroyed in a car crash.

Ashley’s Lemonade has been set up at Wesley Square on the corner of Wesley Street and Church Street near City Hall.

Ashley Stephens, the owner of the stand, said her that business was waiting for permits for a bricks-and-mortar location to be approved.

She added: “The support from family and the community has been huge.

“I stayed positive, and I’m thankful for the community that supports our brand, not just where we were located.

“They said no matter where we go, they will follow us — and they’ve stayed true to their word.”

Ashley’s Lemonade, which used to be on the corner of Burnaby Street and Reid Street, was destroyed in a car crash in February.

The incident left the young businesswoman out of action for weeks.

Earlette Stephens, Ashley’s mother, admitted that the move from Reid Street had felt jarring because the previous spot “was like our home“.

However, she said: “Sometimes things happen for a good reason and we have to be open and just move forward.

“Sometimes to grow, things happen to push you forward. We’ve just got to squeeze on and move forward.”

Ms Stephens said that the new location of the stand had proved very beneficial in the long run.

She explained that they were able to tap into running water and electricity instead of relying on a generator.

She added that Wesley Square was “a very special location” because of the history of the area, including its ties to the 1959 Theatre Boycott that ended segregation in Bermuda’s hotels and businesses.

Ms Stephens said: “A lot of people are not familiar with it, so when they come they can be educated about it.”

She added: “The Corporation of Hamilton has benches here, and it’s safer for more people to be in the square.

“It’s exciting because we also have Snowy’s here, so it’s going to be like a little village for people to come and cool down.”

Ms Stephens said that the stand was seeing just as much business as it had on Reid Street since Wesley Square sees a lot of foot traffic.

She added that many people had even walked from Reid Street to the new location.

Ms Stephens said that the stand hoped to extend its hours, allowing it to be open from 11am to 9pm to “help keep the City alive”.

• Ashley’s Lemonade is open from 11am to 7pm Monday to Saturday