11-year-old forced to shut down veggie stand

by Bethany Sanders (Subscribe to Bethany Sanders's posts) Aug 24th 2008 2:00PM

Categories: Kids 8-11, Money & Work, In The News

Lemonade stands are a rite of passage for kids, their first foray into the world of entrepreneurship. Kids may haul out a table and chair in front of their house to earn a little spare change, or they may have more elaborate setups to raise funds for their group or charity. Rarely, do officials bother them about zoning ordinances or permits.

Some Clayton, California residents are saying that 11-year-old Katie Lewis's organic produce stand is little different than any other child's lemonade stand. She makes about $20 a week for her savings account selling fresh fruits and vegetables at her roadside stand, but last week Clayton city officials forced her to shut down, saying that her business violates zoning rules and health regulations.

Katie's parents are stunned and are asking for an exception, while the community is split on whether or not the city is being too heavy-handed. Some applaud their "no exceptions" rule, but others think that Katie should be allowed to run her business. I think I'd ask the officials, this: Why is it ok for kids to sell lemonade, but not lemons (or zucchini or watermelon, for that matter?)

What do you think? Should Katie be allowed to sell her veggies, or is the city correct in shutting her down?

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Comments (12)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

queenoqueens 8-24-2008 @ 3:05PM

I think that if a grown-up is not allowed to sell roadside produce in her area due to zoning rules, then a child should have the same rule applied. Of course, that may mean they'd have to shutdown a lemonade stand too, which seems heavy handed. In that case, it looks like the laws would need to be changed.

But if they let her do it, then anyone would be able to do it. And the question is....do you want that?

Uly 8-24-2008 @ 3:53PM

No, the question is "Do I really care?" I can't see myself having a moment's thought to what somebody sells on their own property or close to it.

At any rate, there's ways around "If they let her do it, they have to let everybody do it". Like specifically amending the rules to allow homegrown produce no more than so and so many feet from the property line, or to allow for children under a certain age, or to allow for small stands that earn no more than so and so much a year.

rob 8-24-2008 @ 11:56PM

You'll make a good recruit for the "tattle-tale" squad.

Is this really the kind of society you want to live in? I hope people read this story and realize "that were not in Kansas anymore."

Next the IRS will be breathing down here neck....of course that's only after the FDA has there way with her.

But rule are rules right!

Friend, please rethink you position........

andie 8-25-2008 @ 1:33AM

Queen...last time I checked this was still a free country. Do you have a problem with that?

Mimi 8-24-2008 @ 3:42PM

Maybe they should allow her parents to buy her a permit allowing her to sell her produce during certain times in certain areas.

mamaloo 8-24-2008 @ 5:23PM

Yeah, you should be able to sell your own produce if you so desire. Do they also forbid garage sales?

Kelly 8-24-2008 @ 5:57PM

I think its par for the course in the Peoples Republic of Kalifornia. Why should this sort of government intervention shock all of you. California is slow turning to a communist state and they want the entire country to go down with it. Just listen and read the comments that some of those marxist in that state is spewing out of their mouths and thoughts. Hey government officials and dumbassed citizens of California, here is a suggestion, worry about stopping the bleeding of your economy from high taxes and stupid non-productive regulations that slow or stop growth. And your errosion of your god giving rights as an American. WHOOPS!!!! I used gods name in this, bet that offends you idiots too. BE A GOOD LITTLE COMMUNIST YOU CLAYTON CITY REPRESENTIVES !!!!

Twitty 8-26-2008 @ 3:01PM

kelly, u r a socialist pig who loves to pick on cali and its god loving ppl. the economy would be fine if nazis like u just moved off. u cannot blame city ppl for the stupidity of the lil girls parents. the parents need to kno that they cannot sell veggies illegally. im sure u oppose a fence too on the border - just like u liberal flakes to loves anarchy.

rob 8-24-2008 @ 11:57PM

What did we ever do without Government? Glad to see someone taking crime seriously. I mean with all the crime going on we have to start somewhere, right? Shutting down this stand was a good use of tax-payer dollars, don't you think? We can all be proud of this strong stand against crime that is being taken.

This country is GONE!!!

God Help Us!!!

c_rousseau05 8-25-2008 @ 1:38AM

Well, I agree they should have shut her down. With all the salmonella and crap going around and food getting pulled from shelves all over the place she put herself (and her parents) in a bad situation by selling the produce.

First of all, it was on a roadside, not on her parents private property which is where most kids sell lemonade, at their home. Second, no telling where she gets the produce from and what if someone got sick? In the society we live in today that is a law-suit waiting to happen. Poor girl could've got hunted down by some angry person who purchased a cucumber from her and demanded her parents information so they could sue them for endangering their life. Third, we must obey the laws of our country, city, county, whatever...child or not. It's not like they threw her in jail, they only told her to close her stand, no biggie. Also, who knows if she was truly there by choice and not forced to work that stand.

ninainindia 8-25-2008 @ 3:00AM

Of course they shouldn't shut her down! They did the same thing here; children were actually playing their flute to raise money for charity but were asked to leave because they didn't have a permit.

This is what's wrong with the world, they are sucking all spontaneity out of life!

Ursula Santee 8-25-2008 @ 10:45AM

If you have Children in the area selling lemonade than they must let this Girl sell her vegetables.

Good luck geting your stand back.

Ursula

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