After a county inspector squeezed out a kid's lemonade business, so many Oregonians puckered up in disgust that the county chairman had to pour on a little sugar.The apology sweetened up some sour feelings and made 7-year-old Julie Murphy eligible to resume selling her Kool-Aid and water concoction for 50 cents a cup.
Last week at a local arts fair, Julie and her mother were surprised when a county inspector asked to see their restaurant license.
They didn't have one. The inspector told them they would face a fine of up to $500 if they didn't stop selling lemonade.
Other vendors urged Julie and her mother not to leave. A second inspector arrived and the two inspectors were surrounded by a crowd of vendors supporting Julie and her mother.
Ultimately, Julie and her mother packed up the stand, and as Julie left the fair she was crying.
But Julie has prevailed.
Jeff Cogen, chairman of Multnomah County, says the health inspectors were "just following the rule book" but they should have given the girl and her mom a break. On Thursday, he talked with Julie's mom to apologize.
"A lemonade stand is a classic, iconic American kid thing to do," Cogen told The Oregonian. "I don't want to be in the business of shutting that down."
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