Amityville At Odds With Stop & Shop Over New Logo
AMITYVILLE, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Some town fathers are said to be concerned over, of all things, the new sign and logo being displayed at Stop & Shops nationwide and coming soon to a location in Amityville.
WCBS 880's Ginny Kosola With The Story
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Small businesses on Merrick Road in Amityville generally post small, tastefully painted signs, but Mayor Peter Imbert told a newspaper recently the Stop & Shop colors are inappropriate for a Victorian, nautical-style village. CBS 2's Scott Rapoport attempted to get clarification from the mayor on Tuesday, but was told he was unavailable.
Amityville has an ordinance limiting signs to historical colors, like Revere Pewter and Moticello Rose, to help preserve the village's Colonial roots. The colors featured in the supermarket giant's new logo aren't on any of the accepted palettes.
"Any sign that is to be made in this village has to be approved by this color chart," local sign shop owner Peter Kourounis told Rapoport.
In a statement, Stop & Shop public and community relations manager Arlene Putterman told Rapoport her company has stores in historic communities like Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard and Newport, R.I., adding: "Our sign has had no negative impact on the character, reputation or charm of any of these communities."
Residents who live in the area have been a little more forgiving, with some literally shaking their heads over a dispute that's looked at by many as being quite silly. "Les," a resident since 1948, said, after all, it is a grocery store.
"From a distance, you drive along a road at night, you know a Sunoco gas station. You see their signs," he said.
"If it isn't super big or elaborate, I don't see any objection," added another resident.
One store employee said it's too bad there's such controversy over a logo that promotes healthy eating.
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