Cops shut down little girl’s lemonade stand

NBC WBBH-TV ^ | June 18, 2003 | Patrick Taney

[MattAMiller]

Gotta get ready for the sale,” said Abagail.

Even though she’s only 6 years old, Abagail prepares for another day at work.

"We like making money at our lemonade stand. We want it to stay cold so they can have cold lemonade on hot days,” she said.

A young entrepreneur who does the cleaning even the advertising. And it is paying off.

"We are making lots of tips in our tip jar,” said Abagail.

But a few days ago, Abagail and her friends were put out of business by a neighbor.

"We didn't have a permit so she called the cops,” said Abagail.

The police arrived and shut her down.

"We had to take down our lemonade stand,” said Abagail.

Abagail did not have a temporary business permit, which is technically a city violation.

"So we had to do something else to play,” said Abagail.

"I was kind of shocked because I didn't know we needed a permit for 6 year old girls to sell lemonade,” said K.C. Shaw, Abagail’s mom.

According to the city, they have to act on a formal complaint.

"Normally we don't get involved in it but once we do get a formal request we must take action,” said Al Hogrefe of the city of Naples.

So Abagail’s mom went to the city code enforcement office with wallet in hand, prepared to buy a permit.

"$35 every single time for a single use,” said Shaw.

Not wanting to be sour, the city played Mr. Niceguy.

"No we did not charge her, no,” said Hogrefe.

They did finally get the permit.

"Basically a blank check to have as many lemonade stands as we can stand,” said Shaw.

So Abagail is back in business and learned laws can be tough, even for a six year old's lemonade stand.

Shaw said the police officers who shut down the stand felt terrible, but they had to do their job. One of the officers even bought a glass of lemonade from Abagail.

[Rebelbase]

ROTF!

[newwahoo]

"They could have given her a "warning" or something or even let it slide and it would have been ethical."

Anyone that is crazy enough to try this crap is crazy enough to file a civilian complaint. In my neck of the woods that means lost vacation time. No thanks. The town put the law into place and now they can repeal it.

Instead of "Cops shut down little girl’s lemonade stand" the title should read "Stupid citizens and their idiotic laws shut down little girl's lemonade stand". But that might involve the community taking a look in the mirror, huh? Its much easier to scream "nazi" and "commie" like some are doing on this thread. Like I said earlier, its an easy out that lets everyone point the finger at someone else rather than at themselves.

[steelie]

I am now a county Planning Commissoner, and I treat everyboby, with fair case and just reason.

No gloating intended. =- NGI

[BagCamAddict]

The American Revolution was based on a tax revolt.

I'm ready for round two. I vote for a National Tea Party on December 16, 2003, which is the 230th anniversary of The Boston Tea Party.

Everyone spread the word via email, and we'll organize tax revolt rallies nationwide for that date.

[BagCamAddict]

I just want to know who let her outside the house without her burka and required male family member as her escort.

[I_dmc]

Did they get the idea from the little girl raising money for cancer research? What might their "nice tips" be funding? I'm sure, however, that the crowds couldn't have been as large or of annoyance to the neighbor.

[I_dmc]

Don't live in DE by any chance? They're great for that.

[happygrl]

BUMPing for Secret Recipe Lemondade.

[Bella_Bru]

How bitter and pathetic do you have to be to phone in this complaint?

10 bucks says people avoid that neighbor's house like the plague on Halloween and the neighbors are the type that routinely cut up footballs that land in their yard.

[weegee]

Can this same law be used to shut down garage sales?

How about throwing health code violations, social security withholding, and child labor laws at her too?

[weegee]

"And we could have gotten a whole nickel for that lemonade if the goat hadn't drank out of it..."

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

I'd rather she pay Tony Soprano's goons a protection fee than our wonderful government.

They would have at least taken care of the neighbor. ;-)

[USMMA_83]

How pathetic!!! Our across the street neighbour, an old, decrepid, single, cat loving, woman keeps her door open during holoween. When kids show up for candy, she starts yelling at them - "satan lovers!!!!" - I've wanted to kick her ass.....

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

A friend of ours said 3 days after 911 they were in a very popular restarant. There was a big line and the couple, yes couple as in 2, demanded a big booth so they could have privacy. The hostess told her that was not possible because they were so crowded and there were so many people waiting. He said he didn't care, he wanted a big booth. He got it!. 3 days after 911 must people were still in shock, yet this man was still selfcentered. Amazed me.

[surelyclintonsbaddream]

Hey, I might resemble that.

[ffusco]

About as pathetic as the old hippy who has a crystal and rock store in Houston. My motorcycle had a dead battery so I pushed it 6 blocks, and parked it in front of her crystal shop on a side street in a residentail neighborhood. The hippy b*tch had it towed away, since I left it unattended overnight. Busted brakelines, bent handlebars and a torn seat.

Hippies suck.

[ffusco]

A baloon filled with deer lure tossed on her porch might make me feel better.

[unixfox]

Things that could be done on a late Friday afternoon for this angry person:

Electricity shut off.
Water shut off.
Gas shut off.
Telephone shut off.
Pizza delivered from every Pizza outlet.

and the best one of all...

Have her cable shut off.

[Beaker]

Wow. That's a new low.

[E Rocc]

The person who called the cops NEEDS to be Freeped.

Unfortunately, if there is one thing the government guards zealously it is the identity of their snitches.

-Eric