San Marino : Youth Has Business License

Teen entrepreneur Joseph Young, whose home business was cited as the reason for city officials’ delay in approving his mother’s home expansion plans last week, is demanding an apology.

“They made it sound like I don’t have a license,” said Young, 16. In fact, he has a license to run his “Prime Opportunities” mail-order business, according to Jennifer Bason, city business license clerk.

City Manager John Nowak last week informed the Planning Commission that an unlicensed business was being conducted at Young’s house. Young’s mother, Gayle Young, had asked the commission’s permission to expand the family’s home, but the hearing was postponed after Nowak mentioned the supposed licensing problem. Gayle Young at first said that she didn’t know a license was needed, then said she had been confused during the meeting.

Nowak said there have been a number of complaints about the business but refused to elaborate.