Gulf Shores, Ala. – (OBA) – Local kids will take to the streets again, selling their wares at homemade stands at various locations around Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and south Baldwin County. Several are planning stands at The Wharf. Coastal Alabama Kid Entrepreneur Day is a program started by the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber as Lemonade Day a few years ago.

The mini-stores will be open on May 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Click here to register or see stand locations.

Chamber President and CEO Greg Alexander said he felt like the region could support more than lemonade stands with a variety of coastal products made and sold by local children.

“Lemonade Day is a national franchise, and the lemonade was wonderful, and the program was outstanding,” Alexander said. “But every child made lemonade. We felt we were in a market, an economy, and a community, and they could come up with their own ideas for what they want to make, sell, bake, or do those kinds of things. Lures and baked goods and all kinds of things. Even jewelry.

“This has really expanded way beyond Lemonade Day.”

Alexander accepted proclamations from both Gulf Shores and Orange Beach’s city councils declaring May 9 as C.A.K.E. Day in their cities. The program includes two workshops; the first, Money Matters, has already taken place. The second work will be on the stand building on April 25 at ReMax Gulf Shores. The central theme is “Spend, Save, and Share.”

The program aimed at elementary students continues to grow each year, Alexander said. Sign-up is free and open until the day of the event.

“Last year we had 60 students participate throughout Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and we also have South Baldwin Christian Academy and homeschooled children in our area,” Alexander said. “This year we’ve exceeded 70 sign-ups, so we’re very excited.”

Alexander said this is the first of several programs by the chamber, starting with elementary students and continuing with other economic efforts for high school students and adults as well.

“C.A.K.E. Day follows on to a program called EPIC, and it works in conjunction with the South Baldwin Education Foundation,” Alexander said. “These are high schoolers with actual businesses and licenses. Then Junior Leadership for 11th and 12th graders. Then, once young professionals enter the workforce, they are in the 21 to 40 age group. And, finally, our adult leadership, which is our CALL (Coastal Alabama Leadership League) Class.”

C.A.K.E. Day helps children by “providing children with the opportunity to learn and apply entrepreneurial thinking and create a foundation for success in a global economy,” the proclamation reads. “C.A.K.E. day exists to infuse today’s youth with the spirit of enterprise, teaching the basic business and entrepreneurial skills both necessary to become successful contributing members of their communities.”