Neighborhood bully’s attempt to shut down middle schooler’s stand backfires

A neighborhood bully’s efforts to shut down a black middle schooler’s hot dog stand backfired when the city of Minneapolis rallied behind the young entrepreneur and helped him secure the proper permits for his business.  

Jaequan Faulkner opened his small business at the start of summer so he could by supplies and new clothes before the start of the school year.

‘It puts pride in me to see that I’m doing something good for the community,’ said  Jaequan 

Jaequan Faulkner opened his small business at the start of summer so he could by supplies and new clothes before the start of the school year

 However, not everyone was happy with the 13-year-old's honest attempt to earn a buck, and was visited by other officers who said they received a complaint

 However, not everyone was happy with the 13-year-old’s honest attempt to earn a buck, and was visited by other officers who said they received a complaint

Mr. Faulkner’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs was even supported by the local police department after officers with ‘Bike Cops for Kids’ encouraged people on Facebook to visit his stand, according to KHOU 11.  

However, not everyone was happy with the 13-year-old’s honest attempt to earn a buck, and was visited by other officers who said they received a complaint from a local resident. 

The person was not identified by KHOU 11 or the city. 

According to Logan Ebeling, a health inspector with the city of Minneapolis, all businesses that serve food must pass health inspections regulations. 

Luckily, a number of neighborly organizations came to rescue and pitched in to help the scrappy teenager’s business get up to code. 

Jaequan was even supported by the local police department after officers with 'Bike Cops for Kids' (pictured) encouraged people to visit his stand

Jaequan was even supported by the local police department after officers with ‘Bike Cops for Kids’ (pictured) encouraged people to visit his stand

‘They worked with a couple groups in the area, NEON [Northside Economic Opportunity Network] I know was involved, Appetite for Change, trying to support Jaequan and what he’s doing. He’s a great kid,’ Ebeling said. 

‘We’ve been working with Jaequan on the business side of things, like basic business, finance, marketing, pricing… he’s really been excited about all of it,’ Ann Fix, a program manager with NEON, told KHOU 11. 

Luckily, a number of neighborly organizations came to rescue and pitched in to help the scrappy teenager's business get up to code

Luckily, a number of neighborly organizations came to rescue and pitched in to help the scrappy teenager’s business get up to code

Jaequan said that he’s now on top of all city regulations and even makes sure to pay Uncle Sam. 

‘I pay me and my uncle and my cousin… but before I do any of that I pay tax,’ Jaequan said. 

Some of the changes Jaequan was required to implement was to erect a tent for overhead protection and install a hand washing station for sanitary purposes. 

The city even chipped in purchase the $87 permit and buy him a thermometer to gauge the temperatures of his sausages and hot dogs. 

‘Surprisingly, I’m like, dang the city’s not the bad guys in this situation. They’re actually the ones who are helping me,’ Faulkner said. ‘It makes me feel kind of—not kind of—really proud that people know what I’m doing.’ 

Monday marked Jaequan’s first day of operation with the proper paperwork submitted to the city. 

‘So all of this conversation now has gone into what resources can we put to help teens,’ Fix said. 

Some of the changes Jaequan was required to implement was to erect a tent for overhead protection and install a hand washing station for sanitary purposes.

Some of the changes Jaequan was required to implement was to erect a tent for overhead protection and install a hand washing station for sanitary purposes.

Like any good businessman, Jaequan is looking to the future and hopes to grow Mr. Faulkner’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs by purchasing a food cart for next summer.

 ‘So the next few weeks we’re just going to get him through this short-term food journey and then school starts and he’s very, very focused and excited for school to start,’ Fix said.

Then in the fall and winter we’ll start really strategizing and planning out to get his food cart,’ she added. 

Mr. Faulkner’s Old Fashioned Hot Dogs is currently opened from 11am to 3pm at 1510 Penn Avenue North. 

Jaequan said he’s also setting up his food stand at different sites around the North Side of Minneapolis including the 4th Precinct, the Urban League and Sanctuary Covenant Church, according to his Facebook page. 

‘It’s not about the money. It’s just something I enjoy doing,’ Faulkner added. 

 



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