Posted on 06/22/2003 4:20:04 PM PDT by El Conservador
NAPLES, June 18, 2003 - A six-year-old girl was heartbroken when her small lemonade stand was put out of business because she didn’t have a temporary business permit. A neighbor called the police and her stand was shut down.
"Gotta get ready for the sale,” said Avigayil.
Even though she’s only 6 years old, Avigayil 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 Avigayil.
But a few days ago, Avigayil and her friends were put out of business by a neighbor.
"We didn't have a permit so she called the cops,” said Avigayil.
The police arrived and shut her down.
"We had to take down our lemonade stand,” said Avigayil.
Abagail did not have a temporary business permit, which is technically a city violation.
"So we had to do something else to play,” said Avigayil.
"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, Avigayil’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 Avigayil’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 Avigayil.
And shot the cat out of the tree, no doubt.
Great PR, guys.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/06202003/postopinion/opedcolumnists/58973.htm
Godspeed. Open additional lemonade stands, all over the neighborhood. Summer has just begun.
Woah, woah, woah, WOAH!!! Back up!
So she called the cops?!? Are you trying to tell me that some kind, loving nurturer-- a caring sharer, if you will, as opposed to some viscious, evil, hateful (and hurtful) misygonistic white male-- called the cops on a sister who was doin' it for herself?!?
FMCDH
Might be interesting to see just how widespread the coverage gets...
The good news is that Avigayil is doing a landslide business -- and that her "Tips" jar is stuffed full of bills -- including one ten-spot!
:-)
BWAHAHAHA!!!...well, I'm happy for the girl. Hope she becomes a millionaire from her Lemonade Stand.
BTW.......TXnMA (No Longer!!!)...where'd ya move to?
FMCDH
Well, everyone knows that the only game meant to be played in the street is hockey.
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