Kids' lemonade stand curtailed by their homeowners association

Article and Video Courtesy of Channel 5 News

By Vince Norman

Published March 30, 2011

 Watch VIDEO

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. -  Deep within the heart of a seemingly idyllic North Palm Beach neighborhood, something sinister lurks.

"You wanna buy some lemonade?" a vendor asks.

That's right the sinister presence is a lemonade stand.

The vendors are children ages 5-through-10.

Their neighborhood homeowners association is unhappy with the business.

"We didn't know there was a problem, but we just received a problem, but we just received a letter a couple of weeks ago, saying that they were trying to shut us down," said Debra Cohen.

    

"They didn't like it cause they don't have children like us," added Jessica Cohen, one of the small business owners.

Prosperity Harbor Homeowners Association filed a complaint which says, "signs are prohibited and business may not be conducted in their neighborhood."

"We got kind of upset and we talked about whether we could still do it or not," said Kayla Cohen.

Jessica said, "We want to continue selling it...The lemonade. We can save it."

According to the vendors, HOA bylaws say they can't have a business in the community.

"It's a sense of camaraderie, they're having a good time. It's keeping them focused on a positive task," said Elizabeth Lerner, a mother of one of the children.

For the children the stand is about having fun with friends and raising money for a good cause.

"My friend, she has a disabled sister, so we donate it to her school," said Rachel Strauss.

Attempts to contact the HOA failed. The parents of the children say the number of complaints the HOA received was less than ten.

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