Senators want to protect kids' rights to run lemonade stands

Associated Press
Jaequan Faulkner, 13, stands for a portrait in front of his hot dog stand.
Jaequan Faulkner, 13, stands for a portrait in front of Jaequan's Old Fashioned Hot Dogs in North Minneapolis in July 2018. The temporary stand, which sits on the steps of Faulkner's house on Penn Avenue, was approved by the state health department.
Lacey Young | MPR News

Share

Two state senators want to protect the right of Minnesota kids to operate lemonade or hot dog stands without fear of the police.

Republicans Roger Chamberlain and Linda Runbeck have authored a bill to allow kids 14 and under to operate temporary stands without permits. It passed a Senate committee last week and awaits floor action.

On one of the coldest days in a generation, the senators were joined at a news conference Thursday by a dozen young entrepreneurs who want the right to run stands this summer.

The senators cite the case last year of a Minneapolis 13-year-old who nearly had his hot dog stand shut down. Instead, police paid for a permit so Jaequan Faulkner could stay in business. They also cite similar incidents in five other states.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.

Providing Support for MPR.
Learn More
Program ScheduleStation Directory