A young lad peddling “ice-cold beer” is bound to raise a few eyebrows, and it certainly did in this suburban Utah neighborhood. In this sweltering summer, the sight of the minor’s sign, advertising an adults-only beverage, led to several concerned calls to the local authorities. An unexpected turn of events ensued as officers descended onto the scene.
Most of us marvel at the enterprising spirit of a youngster running a lemonade stand. However, selling beer crosses a line and is most certainly a venture ill-suited for a child. So, when an unnamed boy embarked on such a business one Tuesday afternoon, it didn’t take long for the news to reach the Brigham City Police Department, as per WINK News.
The unsettling sight of a minor advertising “Ice Cold Beer” while operating a makeshift beverage stand outside a church understandably drew concern from adults nearby, reported KUTV. Choosing caution over confrontation, the concerned citizens dialed up the Brigham City Police Department, who promptly sent officers to investigate the peculiar situation.
Upon closer inspection, the officers were met with an amusing revelation. The boy wasn’t running a clandestine bar as it initially seemed. Buried in small, green print above the word “beer” was the word “root.” The child had been selling root beer, a wholly non-alcoholic beverage, legally sold by minors and without need for a liquor license.
With the mystery solved – pun absolutely intended – the Brigham City Police Department took to their Facebook page to clear up any residual concerns amongst their community.
Accompanied by a picture of the boy and his cheeky sign, they posted, “This young man, in the area of 600 South 200 East, has a twist on a lemonade stand. Yep, he’s selling beer … ROOT BEER, that is.”
The impish grin and playful emoji on the boy’s sign suggested he was thoroughly enjoying the prank. “His marketing strategy has resulted in several calls to the BCPD, but apparently its [sic] paid off as business has been good,” the department shared in their Facebook post.
Clearly, the boy’s delight hints at a potential future in advertising. However, it seems he isn’t the only child to have executed this crafty plan. In response to the BCPD’s post, some parents revealed their own children had run similar root beer stands with equally deceptive signs.
One mother shared her daughter’s experience, writing, “She loved it so much!!! She did the entire thing by herself, including going to the store and buying her inventory! People weren’t very nice to her at all but she still made the best of it. Stood in the Vegas heat all day and got a little money for school supplies.” Despite the hardships, she expressed her admiration for kids engaging in these entrepreneurial activities.
However, caution must be exercised in such cases. While it’s a clever marketing ploy, it can trigger undue alarm. There are unfortunate instances where young children are exploited for quick monetary gain, making it necessary for observant neighbors to notify the police if they suspect something inappropriate. Even though the boy’s sales tactic resulted in a needless use of police resources, it’s hard not to appreciate the youthful ingenuity and industriousness demonstrated. But let’s remember, clever pranks should never come at the cost of communal peace of mind.
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