After the City of Minneapolis helped him get a license for his hot dog stand, business is booming and Jaequan's become a bit of a local celebrity.

Back in July, Jaequan Faulkner was just a North Minneapolis kid selling hot dogs to raise money for new clothes.

But his little business -- Mr. Faulkner's Old Fashioned Hot Dogs -- was put in jeopardy when the city's health department received a complaint about his health code; Jaequan didn't have a permit to sell food publicly.

Instead of shutting his stand down, though, several city departments came together to help Jaequan get his permit and food stand up to code -- they covered the $87 cost of the permit; supplied Jaequan with a tent for overhead protection, a handwashing station and a thermometer; and helped Jaequan learn additional business skills like finance, marketing and pricing. Recently, the Minneapolis Police 4th District event surprised Jaequan with a brand new hot dog cart.

Now fully equipped and prepared, Mr. Faulkner's Old Fashioned Hot Dogs stand has become a local landmark and Jaequan something of a local celebrity. Says MPD Officer Jon Edwards, "Short, tall, old, young, white, black -- everybody has come out to support Jaequan and his business, and it's a beautiful thing."

Bring Me the News reports that last week a generous customer purchased 50 hot dogs from Jaequan and told him to give them to 50 North Minneapolis kids.

According to MPR, Faulkner wants to donate 25 cents from every hot dog next year to raise awareness about youth depression.

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