City Shuts Down Teen's Hot Dog Vendor Cart!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 พ.ย. 2024
- In Holland, Mich., a 13-year-old entrepreneur thought he would be able to sell hot dogs and financially help his disabled parents with the purchase of a food cart. Unfortunately, city zoning officials have shut down his business, based on an ordinance that prohibits competition to brick-and-mortar restaurants from mobile food vendors. The Mackinac Center's own Anne Schieber investigates.
The phrase, "an Ordinance that Prohibits Competition" says it all.
Political pay off in action.
Thank you for all your kind words.
From one entrepreneur to another, Keep going Nathan! Its harder today to start a business than its ever been but don't let anyone stop or discourage you. When will government just get out of the way. If a restaurant can't compete with a hot dog stand then they will not last anyway.
Right!
Exactly
He already contacted the city before opening the stand to make sure everything was ok... He was misinformed by the people he trusts to handle and be in charge of these things. I don`t really see what more he could have done to get this up and going..Holland needs to get its shit together
parents: do we need a license? no.
do we need a permit? no.
what the fuck kind of city is this ???
So sad for this poor and brave kid...
Let's face it they saw a young little kid and said look a weak kid let's ruin his food cart business lol 😂 that's so obvious they don't want to see you win
Truly amazing! I cannot believe how obvious POLITICS and GRAFT are at play in this story. You have got to be kidding me. This young man could be out doing some very negative things to make money. I applaud him for trying to do the right thing. I just scratched the City of Holland off my list of places to visit. I may reconsider if I can get the opportunity to buy a hot dog from this young man. I say we all BOYCOTT those restaurants downtown.
Holland is just like Houston. They are socialist cities.
This needs to go viral to not only help this family out but expose government for the market-stifling bullies that they are.
In Detroit good trucks have to pay$450 a week to be on the downtown area. Yet people set up in empty lots with no permits outside that area. No one stops them .
who's being bribed at city hall? I hope they sleep well at night knowing that they have ruined a life. could this be a form of abuse?
Violation of civil rights can not deny the right to earn he can sue the city
sorry but you are wrong
@@chs557 actually randy right, look up cases on institute for justice, on mobile vending,,and see the cases they won helping mobile vendors fight zoning laws, they all so help regular businesses fight zoning laws
Government is established to assist the people not people establish to assist the government.
How much a hotdog stand makes should not hurt something as big as a restaurant, and the concept behind it is competition, which improves business. If 2 restaurants are competing people will go more often to the one that provides better foods and services, which will bring more money. That would encourage the other one to improve their foods and services. If a restaurant is being hurt by a hotdog stand: 1) there's something wrong with that restaurant, 2) it's motivation to improve the quality.
And that zoning regulation is probably unconstitutional and illegal. Depends how it was written.
It is look up institute for justice
And you see similar cases that they won helping mobile food vendors
And this how's Cartels are formed...
Go to the Institute of Justice. They can help.
We are going to continue to fight this so I can re-open as soon as possible. My parents are doing what they can but any help you can provide would be very helpful. It is still being updated but there is a donation button on my website. Any amount you could spare would help with the added costs my parents have been experiencing to help me with this. Thank you again, Nathan
I don't understand how there can be laws that prohibit competition. WTF?
In our town they also frown upon food carts and trucks. We looked into renting a location but the rent is at least 1,000 for a 300-500sq ft place plus utilities. People say they looking out for the established food places I just think they are protecting their pockets and get away with over charging for locations.
Contact institute for justice they can
Help you with mobile food vending in your town ,they win a lot of cases
You have the right in the pursuit of happiness...I think a good lawyer and a fed up jury of your peers could clean their clock.....
Institute for justice is the way to
Go,
i hope he is still hustling and grinding, there is always bullshit like this, restaurants dont lose out with one or a few, neither does the city.
Is there a second video to let us know how the story ends?
This kid is a hero to his parents. Let him do this.
As long as this kid has proper state and local licensing, insurance and stays a reasonable distance away from the brick and mortar businesses, he should be allowed to do this. Good for you kid. This was five years ago and i wonder ever became of this?
Restaurants are usually imbedded with local government in small towns and through fraternal organizations they have connections to keep "competition" a non issue. If hot dogs are a competition to the restaurants i wouldnt fucking want to eat those so called restaurants!
ok...so as long as they can capitolize this kid's business then he can stay?!?
The kid is right. If the owners of those restaurants feel threatened by a 13 year-old boy, they should not be in the restaurant business. One day, all those assholes will be working for this industrious young man. As for those mealy-mouthed politicians who seem to sympathize with the kid, I can only say that they have the power to change the rules. Do the right thing. One day, this young boy will be able to vote and you will be history.
@dihsonic,
You really "hit it" with that one. And, if I were a citizen of Holland, I'd go to a restaurant in another town, as it is obvious that the snooty Holland restaurants do not need my business.
Kid of the year award. In 10 years he will own that city.
Thumbs up to Michigan once again. Biggest dump in the USA.
Very unfortunate and I sincerely like (and highly respect) the kid. At one time I would have concured with the kid and his family but now I "reluctantly" agree with the city. The laws were there on the books before he started his business. Now that I'm an "investor" (not the owner or an employee) of a restaurant (where we pay high taxes unlike the mobile food vendors) who set up in front of our business (blocking our business from view, taking our customers parking, etc.) have caused problems for those who are paying taxes. Yes he is doing it on private property and not blocking another restaurant business but it's still a commercial property that must follow the rules set by the city. You can't make an exception for one person without doing it for everyone else. It breaks my heart to see him give up and sell his business. Wish he would just simply move his business to another location. I'm sure other business that don't serve food that are not in the restricted zone would love to have him there. I know it is convenient for him to stay where he is but again the law was there before he started (if it wasn't, I would agree and he should be grandfathered in). Very unfortunate because he is doing something very positive and has a great work ethic. I sincerely wish him the best of luck.
I have to concur with Sashacola travisterelljacobs. He is a GREAT kid but the law is the law. Can't change the law for just one person without changing it for everyone else. He and his parents failed to properly research this when they were at City Hall. They should have told city officials EXACTLY where they we're planning to set up the cart. If they did, they would have been informed of the laws/zones and this would have never happened. Don't understand why they just don't set it up at another location. The city is willing to work with him and likely help him find another safe location. He really is a great kid and I sincerely hope he doesn't give up.
Yea U'all, wish he would have moved, and open elsewhere..hope it turn out alright for him..
Actually their a federal law
That say a person has a right to
Make income, 1. The kid was on private property, most towns try to zone private property but rally can not, 2.if a restaurant can not compete with a food cart.
The restaurant doing something wrong,the kids folks should of got
A hold if a pro bono lawyer.
Or institute for justice that speclize in fighting city's on unfair zoning laws,, then just give up, the dream.
Food vendors pay taxes as well. Food vendors have to go through the same health inspection as restaurants as wells as be serv safe certified.
This kid learned a valuable lesson. It makes more sense to go into business with government than with private entrepreneurs. Serve the bureaucrats and you will receive benefits, serve the people and you will get shut down.
If a hot dog stand is competition for your restaurant, then your restaurant doesn't need to be open in the first place.
That's like a bar competing with a 8 year old who runs a lemonade stand
2:39 - they pay extra tax for heated sidewalks?
How much did he pay for this hot dog car Please comment back it looks very nice and to shame the town is not letting him earn some money to do what he likes to do not playing video games trying to help his family and trying to get an education he is trying to better himself I don't see the problem but how much does that how tall car go for I would like to purchase one myself
America is full of kids dealing drugs and this poor kid is trying to earn an Honest Buck and the city shut him down? there is an Old Fashion way of dealing with City Officals,give em a Blanket Party.
Exactly, I bet that if enough people were to defend him to an extreme degree, not even the law could shut down this boys dreams. The Government only works as far as the people allows it to.
Less laws= more business = more taxes for government, everyone would be happy
I am preparing for the upcoming season but am missing one important thing - a hot dog cart. I am busy saving, my parents will do what they can, but I think I am going to fall short of what I need to buy a new one. You helped me win the fight with City Hall and it is my hope that you can help me get back in business. I know times are tuff but any help you can provide will get me that much closer to being back in business. To donate please visit my website. Thank you, Nathan
Epilepsy, like any other medical condition, has more health care costs associated with it than say, a perfectly healthy individual would have. Also, he mentioned epilepsy because he was explaining what his parent's reasons for being on disability were.
Since the City protection racket is threatening him with force for trying to make a living, this kid should set up a paypal, dwalla, and/or bitcoin account so people can send him and his family support. Keep up the entrepreneurial spirit kid, and never be afraid to stand up to a bully, even if that bully has a lot of guns and fancy titles like "City Administrator" or "County Sheriff." You weren't hurting anyone or violating anyone's property rights, no victim no crime.
That's not cool of that city to do that too he's just a kid too trying to help his parents out too kh
Yet, he saved up his own money to buy that cart!
Maybe Nate could invest in the Standard King Hot Dog concession stand trailer, and hit up the beaches and fairs...eventually those businesses will realize the potential this young man has and regret hurting his business all those years ago!
Best comment on the board. Thanks for thinking--it's a rare activity these days.
Such a joke…No respect to these city officials!!!
Voting this up while voting for Romney or Obama is an oxymoron. Gary Johnson supports freedom, do you?
like a said, you go to the restaurant if you want a meal. if you want a snack, go to a hotdog stand. Completely different businesses.
A small hotdog cart does not in any way compete with a restaurant. Small town restaurant owners and franchise owners have their greedy hands in this somehow. Special interests always find a way into government especially when money is concerned. They should be ashamed of themselves but sadly they probably are not.
Chapter 12; Section 12-2; Mobile food establishment. A mobile food establishment is a food establishment operating from a vehicle or watercraft that returns to a licensed commissary for servicing and maintenance at least once every twenty-four (24) hours.
In the video, his parents stated that they were told that they did not need a license or permit.
Chapter 12; Section 12-3; Specifically states you need a permit to run a food service.
They were ill informed, that's why they were shut down.
I listened just fine. The ordinance covers all outside area. There is no difference between him violating it in his parking lot and another business owner violating it on the side walk.
There are 8 restaurants in the commercial district and another 5 or so(quick google maps search) within 5 miles. You have 13 alternatives and 13 restaurants competing against each other. Pick one.
In Washington DC shoe shine boys have to pay 1200 dollars for 2 year permit to shine shoes. Republicans and Democrats let it become law. This is one of the many reasons I voted for President Trump. Trump would never let this happen.
It does seem a little cold, but they have law on their side. I like that this kid is going to try and change that law. It's still dumb to shut a kid's hot dog stand down, though, it's kind of like flipping over a little girl's lemonade stand.
He is wanted in Oakland County and Ottawa County.
A local restaurant should just endorse him.
But really, when has a hotdog stand ever competed against a full service resturaunt??? They are on completely different levels. And wtf is with heated sidewalks.....
You only need to heat the sidewalk to above freezing. You could probably just run cold(ish) water through the concrete. They're not heating them to 100 degrees.
It all boils down to greed.
A productive member of society turned lobbyist by the good graces of the coercive state apparatus.
Once upon a time this country was founded by people just like this young man, who had a dream and started whatever business they could to support their families. What a shame! Wehave now alowed the government to stifle our young people and keep them from pursuing their dreams.
I don't know how things work around there, but here in Finland we pay taxes and get social security etc.
And michigan wonders why it's having such a hard problem overall keeping businesses in state, and getting new businesses to start?
geez, if the kids wants to work than let him work. he got permission from the store owner to be there.
Please bookmark this video and show it to anyone who says 'America has free markets'. Govt screws the competition to help their buddies
“I believe in an America where the free enterprise system flourishes for all other systems to see and admire - where no businessman lacks either competition or credit - and where no monopoly, no racketeer, no government bureaucracy can put him out of business that he built up with his own initiative.” - John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Our servants are wildly, insanely out of control.
Instead of over there... Why not over by Holland Hospital???
Or Down by Tunnel Park???
that's why should ask the city if putting a foodstand up is legitimated BEFORE you spend 1200$ buying one.
The hotdog stand is making it hurt or the tax? Because I doubt the restaurants are fearful of a hotdog cart.
I'm reading the comments and I see so many people surprised by what has happened. I'm not. This crap has been happening in America for a while now. I'm only surprised it was the city that shut him down and now some government official, because it's usually a government official who comes and shuts stuff like this down. Lemonade stands, neighborhood barbeques, even offers of baby sitting have been shut down.
If it's private property, then shouldn't the decision be up to the sporting goods store?
orangeblood307 no still city
sounds like typical mafia action
I live only 20 minutes away from where this is at. The area is pretty nice, yeah, but a hot dog vendor really isn't going to create much "competition" to the local restaurants. They all have clientele that frequent their stores regularly.
One of the things that bothered me a little bit, was the fact that Holland is a pretty big town... Most of the streets are ussually lined with cars/people on a nice day. Being perfectly honest, he could have just moved a few blocks over and been fine...
Did you not listen? He got his permits and they went into City Hall and asked if it was ok, They just told him at the last minute which is bullshit to tell a 13 year old that after the fact he spent so much money to set everything up
Not in this case.
Ordinances like this one increases the value of commercial districts through promoting a nice, friendly shopping experience and that's probably a big reason why this PRIVATE business choose to open his business there instead of a district without these protections. It's probably a safe bet that he would be objecting pretty heavily himself if someone else decides to set up a sporting goods cart across the street.
Lawyer up what the city's doing is illegal just got to confront them
I didn't see how the kid screwed up when the city was in fact the one the screwed up, it was in no way the kids fault, he went ahead with the stand cause the city said it was fine, City's fault, not the kids
you think because they have to pay extra taxes that it justifies not allowing other people to open up their own business?
"Heated side-walks"? Are you fucking kidding me. :
They are everywhere
much better addition to the playlist than the John Lennon vs. McCartney song
Yes, I grew up in Poland in 80's. It means you cannot pursue you goals because some loser sitting behind ministerial desk says he prefer you didn't.
The restaurant owners complained about the kid and they had pull judging how fast it happened especially if city officials ate at those restaurants 💯
If he is such a profitable threat, what is stopping the restaurants from opening their own hotdog cart outside their restaurant?
I love how 2 little girls can MAKE lemonade and sell it, without a private kitchen, or business license, or any standardization of their process and get on Fox news, but this kid can't even set up shop.
...Wow... and they're all upset at the fact that they're losing jobs... HOW HYPOCRITICAL CAN YOU GET?!
He should of checked his facts before he set up the cart there. He can either partner with one of the restaurants or move his cart out of downtown. These are the kind of everyday difficulties every business is faced with, good thing he learns it at a young age.
If these 8 downtown restaurants cannot exist without a municipality enforced monopoly in the downtown commercial area of Holland, Michigan perhaps it's time for their customers to boycott their businesses and drive them out of business or out of town.
Another prime example of government limiting competition, promoting monopolization (of the restaurants that pay more to the city) and harming people with an entrepreneurial pursuit and spirit...the backbone of our country.
I'm never visiting Holland, MI again if they don't let this kid sell hot dogs.
For our sake, it negates competition against restaurants. They can charge whatever they want because there would be noone else to challenge their prices.
We, the paying public, ultimately lose out if there isn't alternative. It may be illegal, but it certainly isn't in our interests.
What a joke so he wants to work make money for his family
But this stupid law will not allow him
The intent and purpose of the law is stated clearly in this video. If you watched it, I shouldn't have to repeat it.
Listen to the story again. He didn't get a permit. They told him he didn't need one when, in fact, he did. The city council member screwed up and so did he.
This makes no sense. Private property and with the property owners permission, and still the the city is giving the kid the boot. Oh brother. Big brother.
if restaurant owners have a fear of a 13 year old selling hot dogs...that isn't much of a restaurant. how much can he actually make that takes away from the restaurants? How many restaurants sell hot dogs?
Ok, let's start with rights. This laws infringes on a person's rights like the right of opening a business. If this hotdog stand was going to hurt someone, ok. But it's not.
This also eliminates competition, something which makes business better. If I had a restaurant and it was losing to a hotdog stand, I must be doing something wrong.
And them taxes are wrong because a person should no need to pay for something he doesn't use.
And it protects one business at the cost of others.
If your food sucks enough for a kid's hotdog stand to take away business, you shouldn't be in business.
"He didn't want to sit around and play videogames this summer" - yeah, 'cause that's everything kids do nowadays, right?
never knew people in holland spoke such good english