A children's lemonade stand was shut down and their parents cited for operating without a license. They were selling lemonade for pediatric cancer research—a noble cause if ever there was one. The Friday, June 17th news hit the media in a big way, upsetting parents and kids alike. The sad message seems to convey that the good old "American Dream" of operating a kids lemonade stand comes at a price now—in the form of a vendor's license.
Government Shuts Down Money Making Lemonade Business
Evidently, Montgomery County inspectors in Bethesda, Maryland, weren't impressed with the large-scale money making operation. After all, the cute little kids were "violating" a ban within county limits.
According to Yahoo News Friday, June 17th, they were also making tons of money, not just ten bucks on a hot sunny day selling homemade lemonade. They were raking in hundreds of dollars to raise money for charity, claimed one mother.
Lemonade Stand Shut Down, Parents Fined
The kids and their parents didn't see it that way, and that's when the government stepped in and shut the precious little kid's lemonade stand down, fining their parents $500 in the process.
According to NBC News, "The Montgomery County Department of Permitting said they were obstructing pedestrian and vehicle traffic," and safety concerns around the Congressional Country Club's entrance were an issue.
Later that day, the county backed down, waived the fine, and let the kids set up their lemonade stand in a spot better suited for the kids to do their business.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!
Sources: NBC washington.com; Yahoo News
Photo: sxc.hu; LeoSynapse
