Caesar Valentino courtesy
An “honest cooler” protected by a metal cover is featured in a Facebook post.
Being an entrepreneur isn’t always easy, especially when a kid tries something for the first time and wants to help others.
Adults, laws, and rules often get in the way of something that seems simple. And adults who are doing “business as usual” come out as dream destroyers.
Just ask Neveah Valentino.
Somewhere between the Little Free Library and the children’s lemonade stands the self-managed business of the teenage Neveh – Honest Refrigerators.
In the year By the summer of 2021, these coolers will be placed on trails at two locations in Provo, including the popular Rock Canyon hiking area. She had the support of her father, entrepreneur Cesar Valentino.
The coolers provided an honor system of bottled water and snacks for hikers and nature lovers looking for food along the trails. Items were $1 each. The Valentinos checked the refrigerators twice a day.
A number of dry travelers have used honest coolers, and in a couple of cases, the coolers are useful for people who are sick or overheated.
Since that winter and now that it’s over, the coolers have been removed from sidewalks by the city of Provo, prompting several months of discussions between the Valentinos and city officials.
Cesar Valentino believes the honest cold trade should have been protected by Utah law.
“The bottom line is that the Navy’s honest refrigeration business is protected by Utah SB 81, at least in the Provo Parks and Rec properties,” Cesar said. It’s also clear that allowing Super Pedestrians (scooters) to advertise Provo Parks trails in the name of ‘transportation’ and banning Neweha’s trusty coolers from serving water and snacks on the trail in the name of ‘not where food vendors are’ is clear. Violating her business community’s right to have equal rights to operate under Chapter 7 of the Utah Civil Rights Code, which states that all businesses must have an equal opportunity to operate.
He argues that his daughter’s business is being dismissed and discriminated against, while at the same time contracted businesses – motorized scooters – are on the way.
The difference seems to be the business license and contract with the city.
“Neveh Business is a small food kiosk that cannot work in private food areas because it is specifically designed to work as an outdoor vending machine. While the city of Provo has yet to prove that the outdoor community prefers street scooters to food and water, Neveh’s refrigerator has proven that food and water options are essential to the outdoor community, not just sidewalks. ” said Cesar Valentino.
Cesar Valentino thought Navia could have a cooler next to the skate park at the Provo Rec Center, but Parks and Rec Director Scott Henderson said Provo was told for-profit businesses are not allowed to operate at the site. A tax-exempt general obligation bond that built the facility and its surroundings.
Valentino’s request was denied at the rec center just like the trails.
According to Cesar, Henderson said that during a meeting between Henderson and City Attorney Brian Jones, Neweh did not come to him first before taking the chills and threats out on social media. Henderson, according to Cesar Valentino, said he really liked the idea.
The Valentinos have been pushing the issue along with several city employees, including Mayor Michelle Cafusi and Economic Development Director Keith Morey. Kaufisi gave the case to Jones to investigate and serve as a liaison between the city and the family.
“We don’t allow private commercial sales in our parks and facilities system every day and we won’t in this case,” Henderson said.
It all started in 2021, and it looks like 15-year-old Newe and her father will continue to pursue legal action on the matter.
If they continue to sell and sell without a license from The Honest Refrigerator — when they’re told they can’t — they could face fines and up to six months in jail, Morey said.
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