Youth in need of medicine or a snack at the CVS on U and 10th streets NW may want to try somewhere else for nine hours a day.

Spotted on Friday around 7:30 a.m., a printed sign tacked on the inside of the store’s door says “NO KIDS ALLOWED BETWEEN 8am and 5pm.” An employee who was not authorized to speak officially said “certain kids,” particularly school students, have caused disruptions at the 1000 U St. NW location in the past. “If they need to pick up prescriptions they should do so before school or after school, with their parent,” the person said. “I understand your concern but at the same time we’re concerned for the safety of our employees, and customers complain they can’t find certain merchandise” that has apparently been shoplifted.

City Desk has reached out to CVS’ corporate division about its policies on access and will update this post when we hear back. We’ve also left a message for the store’s management.

Asked to comment on the sign, a spokesperson for the D.C. Office of Human Rights provided the following statement:

“The D.C. Human Rights Act—the District’s non-discrimination law—prohibits age discrimination in public accommodations such as pharmacies and restaurants, but only for people 18-years-old and above. The law also prohibits discrimination against individuals because they are students in college, university, or other types of secondary schools, however that prohibition does not extend to high school or primary school students. Therefore, a sign that prohibited entry for individuals of any age 18 and above, or a sign that prohibited college students, may be a violation of the Act.”

The CVS is situated between the U Street and Shaw Metro stations, and within walking distance of a few schools, including Cardozo Education Campus, Benjamin Banneker Academic High School, and Howard University.

Update, 1:18 p.m.: A spokesperson for the company’s corporate division tells City Desk in an email that “‎the sign was not authorized/approved by CVS and we are instructing the store to remove it immediately.”