After being ordered to cease operations, the viral baker and owner of Mama Llama Bakery has started a petition to “protect cottage food businesses.”
Lindsay Skolnik, owner of Mama Llama Bakery and known for her “center bite cinnamon rolls,” has started a petition in an attempt to reform cottage baker laws after being ordered to cease operations by Clark County Code Enforcement. Within 18 hours, the petition has amassed over 2,200 “verified signatures” on Change.org.
“Unfortunately, current regulations do not adequately protect these businesses, especially when it comes to allowing customer pickups directly from residential locations,” said Skolnik in the petition. “The current legal framework permits cottage food businesses to prepare and sell their goods from home but fails to clearly support their ability to arrange for home-based pickup under regulated conditions.”
After a complaint was made against Skolnik, she was ordered to cease operations by Clark County Code Enforcement by Aug. 20. The violation was for having customers pick up orders at the door. according to the notice obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Clark County Code Enforcement said Skolnik must “cease and desist the use of the residential property as business,” or obtain all waivers to do so.
A Clark County spokesperson told the Review-Journal on Tuesday that Skolnik was in violation of a Clark County Code that prohibits on-site clients and customers. Additionally, the spokesperson said Skolnik does not have a business license, which is required. Skolnik said she does have a business license and the license can be found in the Clark County Business License Search under Mama Llama Bakery. It was issued on April 23.
With the petition, Skolnik is calling on Nevada lawmakers and decision makers to grant cottage food businesses the “right to host scheduled pickups from their homes,” with the proper safeguards in place.
Southern Nevada Health District’s cottage food business license allows her to make baked goods “in a non-permitted food establishment setting for sale directly to an end consumer,” according to the health district’s website. She organizes pre-orders and transactions through the app Hotplate and has customers pick up orders at her Las Vegas home twice a week. Around three to five customers are scheduled to come at different times during the day.
“It was the only way that I was able to stay home with my babies and bring in an extra income,” Skolnik said to the Review-Journal.
Going forward, Skolnik said she already has a lease for a commissary kitchen, but cannot start baking there until she her application for a commercial license is approved.
“Once I get my license, it’s game on,” said Skolnik on Tuesday.
The final day for porch pickup is Sunday. Skolnik continues to sell a recipe and baking guide and an online masterclass on her website.
Contact Emerson Drewes at edrewes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @EmersonDrewes on X.
