How To Host A Lemonade Stand In Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Hosting a lemonade stand is simple. All it takes is the perfect lemonade recipe, some creativity to design signs and table decor, and you have a summer day your little ones will never forget.

But are lemonade stands legal in your state? According to Legalize Lemonade, residents of Minnesota can legally hold a lemonade stand with no issues. The state joins others including Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, Missouri, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts. If your state isn't on the list, you're going to need a permit.

Country Time Lemonade is working to change that. In 2018, a mom in Colorado was "shocked to find out" that her son's lemonade stand needed "hundreds of dollars' worth of permits," a Country Time Lemonade spokesperson wrote. Spearheading a bill in her state, it took nine months to change her state legislation so that Colorado kids can run lemonade stands without grown-up repercussions.

Country Time Lemonade has offered "legal-ade" for those who have been fined by their towns for hosting lemonade stands. A one-time offer per household allows for an entrant to make a plea to have their fine (up to $300) covered.

Thankfully, in Minnesota, that is not the case. So here are a few Patch Lemonade Stand tips to get you started!

Grandma's Lemonade Recipe:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water (for the simple syrup)
• 1 cup lemon juice
• 3 to 4 cups cold water (to dilute)

1. Make simple syrup by heating the sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar is dissolved completely.

2. While the sugar is dissolving, use a juicer to extract the juice from 4 to 6 lemons, enough for one cup of juice.

3. Add the juice and the sugar water to a pitcher. Add 3 to 4 cups of cold water, more or less to the desired strength. Refrigerate 30 to 40 minutes. If the lemonade is a little sweet for your taste, add a little more straight lemon juice to it.Serve with ice, sliced lemons.

Serves 6.

How to Host a Lemonade Stand:

First, price your lemonade to sell. Market it with some signs, possibly a pom-pom waver or bubble blower, or someone adorable to wave over customers.

Second, consider your price point. Charge 25 to 50 cents to fill a paper cup with possibly an ice cube or two. Anything higher, you may lose your target audience. Consider volume discounts. You may sell five glasses for a dollar.

Have exact change and a money box. This teaches a bit of math along with the art of doing business. Always say "Thank you!" to your customers

Finally, post the location of your stand on a neighborhood Facebook group and your local Patch page!

A little social shout-out is always a good thing. Happy selling, and have a great summer, from your friends at Patch.com.