So many of us had lemonade stands growing up. It was a perfect activity for a summer's day! Planning out supplies, making your signs, and of course making a little extra cash.
But for Andre Spicer's daughter, who is remaining unnamed, her dream of having a lemonade stand was totally crushed.
Spicer's daughter set up her stand outside the Lovebox music festival in Victoria Park, UK on a Saturday afternoon. Spicer figured it would be a great way to keep his child entertained, and be a great place for her to get some business.
Spicer says his daughter came up with the idea for a little stand, suggesting she sell food and toys. When Spicer asked her if it were HER toys she wanted to sell, his daughter replied "maybe just food then."
"It's not like she was trying to make a massive profit, this is just a five-year-old kid trying to sell lemonade," Spicer said.
Spicer and his daughter made all the lemonade in the morning and set up shop at Victoria Park. One large cup of lemonade cost $1, and a small glass cost $0.50.
Within minutes of setting up their stand, four police officers stormed over and immediately shut down Spicer and his daughter.
Continue reading to find out their reasoning.
Now being called "Lemonadegate," this story has crossed international borders and people are talking about how ridiculous it all is.
After the officers approached Spicer and his daughter, they read them a long letter and shut down the lemonade stand. They were also given a $150 fine for "trading without a permit."
"We packed up and made the short walk home. My daughter sobbed all the way," Spicer says. "She sobbed all the way home and was telling me: 'Dad, I've done a bad thing'. She was very upset because she was proud of selling it, and this really soured the experience."
Spicer, a business professor, says he should have known there was a permit required, but says he didn't really think a lemonade stand would be a public safety hazard at all.
A spokesperson for the local authorities apologized to the Spicers and says this should ever have happened.
"We are very sorry that this has happened. We expect our enforcement officers to show common sense, and to use their powers sensibly. This clearly did not happen. The fine will be cancelled immediately and we will be contacting Professor Spicer and his daughter to apologize."
Do you think the police were right to fine the Spicers for trading without a license?