Business

Lemon Square Opens 150Th Store at Lima Estate as Big E Expands in Batangas

Quick Read

What Readers Should Know

Lemon Square has opened its 150th store at The Outlets at LIMA Estate in Lipa–Malvar, Batangas. The retail milestone brings the homegrown cake, pastry and snack brand closer to the estate’s workforce, residents and visitors, while expanding parent company Big E Food Corporation’s presence in the province. Big E is also establishing an approximately 11.8-hectare manufacturing base within LIMA Estate. The facility…

Key Takeaways

  • Lemon Square has reached 150 stores. Its milestone branch is located at The Outlets at LIMA Estate in Batangas.
  • The opening expands access for the LIMA community. The store serves people working, living and shopping within the estate.
  • Big E is also expanding manufacturing. Its LIMA footprint covers 118,132 square meters, or approximately 11.8 hectares.
  • The plant is expected to create at least 2,000 jobs. These projected roles are tied to the manufacturing facility once fully operational.
  • Workforce development forms part of the expansion. A technical skills training program is planned to help workers build longer-term careers.

Lemon Square has opened its 150th store at The Outlets at LIMA Estate in Batangas, adding a retail presence alongside parent company Big E Food Corporation’s manufacturing expansion within the estate.

The opening brings the Filipino cake, pastry and snack brand closer to people living, working and shopping in the Lipa–Malvar area. It also connects two parts of Big E’s growth: producing food and making its products accessible to consumers.

For the LIMA community, the store provides another place to buy familiar snacks while the company develops a larger production base in Southern Luzon.

A retail milestone rooted in everyday access

Lemon Square is Big E Food Corporation’s flagship brand, with products distributed through supermarkets, convenience stores and neighborhood retailers nationwide.

Its 150th store adds a dedicated retail location within The Outlets at LIMA Estate, serving the estate’s workforce, residents and visitors.

Ernesto Ramos Jr., Technical Director of Big E, said the milestone reflects the company’s intention to reach more Filipino families.

“As communities continue to thrive around LIMA Estate, we want to be part of their everyday lives by making our products more accessible,” Ramos said.

He added that the retail format complements the company’s manufacturing investment at LIMA.

Manufacturing expansion could generate at least 2,000 jobs

Beyond the store opening, Big E is establishing a manufacturing base covering 118,132 square meters, or approximately 11.8 hectares, within LIMA Estate.

The facility is intended to become the company’s largest manufacturing operation in Southern Luzon, complementing its existing plant in Bulacan and strengthening production capacity.

According to the announcement, the Batangas plant is expected to generate at least 2,000 jobs once fully operational. A technical skills training program is also planned to support workforce development and longer-term career growth.

These are projected opportunities tied to the plant’s operations, rather than jobs created by the store alone.

Connecting production with the surrounding community

Clifford M. Academia, Vice President of Industrial and Commercial Business at Aboitiz Economic Estates, said Big E’s manufacturing base and Lemon Square’s retail opening demonstrate how industrial and commercial activity can support each other within an integrated estate.

The production facility expands the company’s operating capacity, while the store gives it a direct presence among the people who use the estate each day.

According to Aboitiz Economic Estates, LIMA is home to more than 200 companies and supports approximately 75,000 jobs across industries including electronics, automotive components, precision manufacturing and consumer products.

The estate also includes offices, retail, hospitality, housing and education facilities, placing business operations alongside services for the surrounding community.

Caramel joins the celebration

The opening celebration featured a commemorative cake and appearances by Caramel, Lemon Square’s newest mascot.

Caramel welcomed visitors, posed for photos and joined employees in marking the brand’s 150-store milestone.

The festivities brought a family-friendly element to an opening that also signals a broader business investment in Batangas.

Where to find the store

Lemon Square’s 150th store is located at The Outlets at LIMA Estate in Lipa–Malvar, Batangas.

For the brand, the opening extends its retail reach. For the surrounding community, Big E’s investment combines access to familiar food products with the prospect of additional manufacturing jobs as the plant becomes fully operational.

Visitors to The Outlets at LIMA Estate can stop by the new store to explore its available cakes, pastries and snacks.

Reader Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lemon Square’s 150th store?

It is located at The Outlets at LIMA Estate in Lipa–Malvar, Batangas.

What company owns Lemon Square?

Lemon Square is the flagship brand of Big E Food Corporation, offering cakes, pastries and snacks.

What other investment is Big E making at LIMA Estate?

Big E is establishing a manufacturing base covering 118,132 square meters, or approximately 11.8 hectares, to complement its existing Bulacan plant.

How many jobs is the manufacturing facility expected to generate?

According to the announcement, it is expected to generate at least 2,000 jobs once fully operational. This projection relates to the plant, rather than the retail store alone.

Who is Caramel?

Caramel is Lemon Square’s newest mascot, who joined visitors and employees during the 150th-store celebration.

About the Author

Introvert, wanderer, blogger, foodie, a hip-hop music writer, and one of the co-founders of a tech start-up company called GigsManila.