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Homewood City committee approves bank marketing "lemonade stand" at Track Shack, 3-2
Summary
The Homewood City Special Issues Committee approved a commercial marketing activation in front of Track Shack for June 28, voting 3-2 after members raised concerns about precedent and location.
The Homewood City Special Issues Committee on June 16 voted 3-2 to allow a bank-branded marketing "lemonade stand" to be placed in the curb-side open area in front of Track Shack on Saturday, June 28, from about 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The committee heard a presentation from representatives identified as Jason Bickel and Jacob Garner seeking permission to place a temporary stand on the sidewalk right-of-way for a few hours. The presenters said the stand is a brand-activation for a new client, Always Bank, and that "we are not selling anything," describing the setup as an "activation" and an analogy to the start of small businesses.
Jason Bickel, a presenter, said, "We are a, Boost Communications is a full service advertising agency." He described the event as an "activation" and said they would bring, set up and remove the stand the same day. The presenters said an actor they called a "kidpreneur" would operate the stand and that the goal was brand awareness for the client.
Several committee members questioned whether the event was a commercial advertisement and whether approving the permit would set a precedent for sidewalk use. Members suggested alternative locations such as Soho Square or the West Homewood farmers market and pressed presenters on how the stand would be sited so it would not block the pedestrian walkway. The presenters said the stand would be placed in an "open area" in front of Track Shack, not in the center of the sidewalk.
Councilor Smith moved to approve the request; Councilor Andress seconded. The motion passed 3-2. The committee did not adopt additional conditions on the permit during the meeting.
Minutes from the meeting show the committee also dispensed with reading and approved prior minutes earlier in the session by a separate 5-0 vote.
The committee adjourned after the vote. The approval allows the organizers to proceed with the June 28 activation in the specified curb-side area, subject to any separate permits or requirements the city enforces for use of right-of-way.
