newYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
An 8-year-old girl who sold lemonade near a food festival in Ohio was shut down by local police following complaints.
Asa Baker was selling lemonade in an alleyway outside the business her father works in near Alliance, Ohio Ribs and Food Festival last weekend when a local police officer asked her to close the stall. He said WJW-TV reported.
“Well, they were really sad that they had to shut me down, but they paid me $20 to try,” Baker said, with officers buying the necessary permits. He explained that he had given her $20 to do so.
Alliance Police Lieutenant Don Wensel told WJW–TV that the police had received complaints from festival organizers and appeared conflicted about voicing their concerns, but eventually the officers were called upon by the locals. He said the ordinance should be enforced.
Armed man who tried to break into Ohio FBI office killed after six-hour standoff with police
Eight-year-old Asa Baker was told by police in Alliance, Ohio, that her lemonade stand had to close.
(WJW-TV)
“I could definitely see that he didn’t want to stop her, but I mean, if the call comes in, he has to do it. In the situation he was put in, he was definitely right.” I did,” Katrina said. Moore, Asa’s mother, told the outlet.
Police do not target children selling lemonade, Wensel said, but the Alliance’s city ordinance states that vendors must obtain a license before selling the product to the public, which is why this ” caused an abnormal situation.
School supplies don’t have to cost a fortune: Ohio consignment store owner has great plans
“To get a license for a food vendor, it only lasts five days and costs only $40 for five days, so it’s kind of inconceivable. If she sells in front of a company, she’ll have to get her solicitor’s permission,” Moore said.
Asa Baker, 8, had to close her lemonade stand after complaints from a local festival
(WJW-TV)
Baker’s lemonade stand reopened Friday in front of local business owner Eric Strata, who said police would not intervene. Strata saw his Facebook post about Baker’s plight and offered to help with the permitting process.
“He (the policeman) had to do his job, which felt very unfair to me because she is eight years old. Just an innocent girl who wants to…why shut it down?” Strata said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
According to WJW-TV, many people stopped by the lemonade stand since the first incident, earning Baker hundreds of dollars.
“I understand the rules. I understand why she was shut down. It’s just a sad, sad situation,” Moore said.
The Alliance Police Department and festival organizers did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.