Business owners employ sign holders despite county ban

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla.- Business owners are fighting back. They’re hiring sign holders to help them advertise, despite a county ordinance.

“We’ve been doing it for five years and suddenly the end of last year they come out saying you can’t do this,” said Barry Nichols, owner of Paradise Jewelry.

Nichols tells WINK News 80 percent of his new business comes from the sign holders and he’s not backing down. He’s one of three local entrepreneurs facing fines of up to $1,000 a day.

“For my business it’s important because I need the exposure,” said Nicholls.

It’s the same reason the manager at the area’s only for men salon, Mr., hires her sign holders.

“It’s very important for us. We’re a brand new salon and exposure is everything,” said manager, Amber Alvarez.

But, her store hasn’t received any violations yet. She says they have different code enforcement agents than Paradise Jewelry.

Countycommissioners banned sign holders last October, saying they were an eyesore, were distracting to drivers and were a safety hazard. One sign holder tells us, he’s purposely moved off the public right of way so he can keep working.

“Don’t take my job away,” said sign holder, Mitchell McKinney. “It’s freedom of speech, I’m not doing anything, I’m not distracting anybody.”

The three business owners facing fines will go before the code enforcement board in late July. Trust WINK News to let you know what happens.