20th July 2003, 10:21 PM
Quote:NAPLES -- Six-year-old Avigayil Wardein's lemonade stand is up and running again following a wave of national publicity about police shutting her down because she lacked a city permit.
An officer put an end to the little girl's business of selling her mother's homemade lemonade and cookies at the end of her driveway June 13 after an anonymous neighbor complained.
When the story got out, Avigayil's plight became fodder for CNN, MSNBC and Fox news networks, as well as the "Today" show and "Inside Edition."
Rush Limbaugh was talking about it and more than 60 radio stations from across the country have called Avigayil's mom, KC Shaw. On Friday, she talked with producers from the "Late Show" with David Letterman and "The Tonight Show," hosted by Jay Leno.
Embarrassed city officials ended up waiving the $35 permit fee, allowing Avigayil to reopen.
It turns out that not many folks knew a city permit is required to operate a lemonade stand. Even Naples Mayor Bonnie MacKenzie bought lemonade from Avigayil before the stand was shut down.
"I've been a customer of hers more than once," MacKenzie said. "That means I've aided and abetted. You know what, I'm not one bit sorry. It's good lemonade."
Shaw said Friday that she has had phone calls from people offering to pay for the permit and wanting to donate money to Avigayil. She's had so many offers that she set up an account called the Lemonade Girl College Fund at a local bank.
Look at the bright side. Everything turned out much better in the end.