A young entrepreneur is earning support from the Coogee community for his ingenious business, Jesse’s Shop, at the Dunningham Reserve despite complaints that he should be shut down.
Jesse Lane, 12, has filed for a formal application to be allowed to operate as a stand and provide for the needs of the visitors to the reserve. He has also started a petition, which has received over 4,000 signatures, to allow him to keep his shop.
It comes as the young entrepreneur was included in the complaints about the commercialisation of the park. Locals said that if Jesse’s Shop is allowed to exist then there will be 20 more shops at the park in the future.
A spokesperson for the Randwick City Council also said that some locals voiced their concerns about the safety and welfare of the young man. In the past few months, Council has spoken to Jesse’s parents about the restrictions and limitations.
Jesse’s mom, Catherine, said that her son started selling so he would have something else to do during the weekends or school holidays. He first set up a basic lemonade stand with an honesty box that evolved into a store with various products.
Jesse sells bottled water, canned drinks, sun creams and even dog treats for people and pets who regularly get their exercises at the Dunningham Reserve.
Here’s what some of the Coogee locals have said about Jesse’s Shop:
Alexis: “He’s such a great young man. Really made me smile. We bought a drink off him a couple of days ago, loved how he asked if we’d like to add a tip! We got a weather forecast update and such a lovely chat with it. Had a bottle of water in my bag but couldn’t resist. Go Jesse!” Alexis
Lucy Bloom: “Some people think he’s being overworked because he’s there too much for a kid. I know nothing about his circumstances but was criticized when I gave him a plug on the Business Coogee page.”
Nadine Ebert: “I walked past one evening and his mum (I assume) helped him pack up and he kept offering stuff to passersby and I heard her telling him off that it was enough and to come home now. So I don’t think it’s the parents ‘overworking’ him. I think he is a great little entrepreneur, but the thought has crossed my mind that he is there a lot.”
Caroline Windsor: “I have seen one of the neighbors having a go – saying he was out too late in the evening on a school night during summer. So long as he is not doing anything illegal then isn’t it really between him and his family?”
Joan Juana: “First time I saw him in Dec 2020, I also wanted to give him a tip without buying anything, but didn’t have any cash on me. The next I saw him, he showed me his set up and I bought my sis a drink and gave him a handsome tip by card. He is a great kid and very polite and enterprising. Very impressive work ethic. We should be applauding him, not making complaints. He is on his way to a successful business enterprise or more.”
Matt Petersen: “We should be rewarding this kind of entrepreneurial spirit, not whinge about it. I love seeing his store. Wish he was allowed to sell cold beers!”
Aside from selling, Jesse also loves to chat with the locals and visitors. Part of what he earns from Jesse’s Shop is donated to the Australian Skin Cancer Foundation.
