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.

[Fiddlstix]

LOL! Hi, back at ya J

Haven't seen you a lot since the "good old days" of the BRAAD Threads.
How have you been?

[goldstategop]

I'd rather she pay Tony Soprano's goons a protection fee than our wonderful government. At least he doesn't require you to front for a permit first like the government does. Tell me who runs the bigger racket? I don't think organized crime comes near to destroying many legitimate business as much as the hand of our caring government does.

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

Only one of the officers had the courage to buy a lemonade?

[scab4faa]

We have a guy here at work that would do this just to be an @ss. He walks around grumbling all the time that everyone is against him and that no one likes him but then when it comes to even signing a card for a fellow employee he throws the card to the side and says he doesn't eant to sign it. He is just a pathetic loser....

[Brad’s Gramma]

Absolutely groovy, thanks for asking.

I miss those old goofy days. :-)

[#3Fan]

The cops should've told the neighbor that an investigation of the lemonade stand would take about six months.

[Jhoffa_]

Indeed..

Check out #19.

That will be the rotten neighbor's next phone call.

[ApesForEvolution]

Their neighbor needs to be beotch-slapped within a few feet of his/her life....

[lentulusgracchus]

I'd rather she pay Tony Soprano's goons a protection fee than our wonderful government. At least he doesn't require you to front for a permit first like the government does.

Well, I can see requiring permits for running a building-demolition business, or a chemical-disposal business. But lemonade? What, do they think she's a threat to spread botulism?

[RIGHT IN SEATTLE]

Tony wouldn't charge a fee!

and all the fuzz would be required to buy a glass daily.............even if it was snowing.

[Jhoffa_]

Don't give them ideas..

This deranged neighbor is liable to call the health department next.

[PeaceBeWithYou]

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

It happens, but I have a feeling that she won't have the proper permits in the hereafter....and there won't be any lemonade for her either.

[SUSSA]

That would be funny.

But really, actions like this are frequently precursors of more dangerous acts. I’ll bet the cops are doing extra drive-bys now. If not, they should be.

[roseygll]

hi

[roseygll]

hi

[beaversmom]

Abigail's mom needs to make the neighbor a special batch of lemonade.

[Fiddlstix]

I miss those old goofy days. :-)

LOL! So do I. I still believe Argee deserves a medal for thinking it all up and doing it. LOL

[Dan from Michigan]

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

Probably one of them Palm Beach type ninnies.

[SUSSA]

I saw that. The IRS agents should have ben fired.

[mt tom]

just another demonrat against free-enterprise