07/20/2011: Police bust young girls’ lemonade stand

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City officials in Appleton admit they made a mistake when they told two young girls to stop selling lemonade outside the city’s Old Car Show on Sunday, July17.

The stand has been a neighborhood tradition for 15 years, but police told 9-year-old Vivian Coenen and 10-year-old Lydia Coenen to shut down because they were violating a city ordinance.

The law was passed last month in Appleton. It bans licensed vendors from selling food and drinks within two blocks of any special events, in order to protect non-profit groups selling food inside.

Lots of folks complained after the kids got shooed away. Afterward, officials realized the law prohibits only licensed vendors, and kids don’t need licenses to sell lemonade.

Appleton Police Chief David Walsh said he and his department take full responsibility but says his officers didn’t mean to harm the kids. The officers will get training on how to properly enforce the new ordinance.

Tags: wisconsin, government