A Store Gets Tired Of People Ignoring Their Polite “Please Wear A Mask” Sign, And Changes It To An Unusual And Freaky One That Catches Their Customers Attention

Antique Sugar

Sometimes, drastic measures are needed to generate attention and compliance to certain rules or directives. The COVID-19 pandemic seems to continue to get worse in the US with staggering numbers of citizens affected each day. Some states, cities, and localities have decided to return to stricter measures similar to the lockdown period, even though some remain unsympathetic to the danger and disregard safety directives, like simply wearing a face mask. Many businesses have opened, the economy has to thrive. Given this, people should continue to exercise caution, and follow simple rules like social distancing and wearing of a face mask, which will help protect themselves and others around them. Yet, it seems some people really don’t care, or are just not within average intellect to realize the repercussions of not abiding by the safety rules.


Somehow, the wearing of a face mask has been given some political color in the US, and some believe it is their right not to wear a face mask. Well, an establishment in Phoenix, Arizona, decided to do something drastic about the issue in their store. Antique Sugar, a vintage clothing shop, got tired of some people ignoring their polite and friendly sign to “Please wear a mask”. Co-owners and best friends Sarah Bingham and Annamarie Sanchez, decided to do something unusual and change their “polite” sign into something quite freaky and ghastly:

Twitter

If you choose not to wear a  mask, we respectfully ask that you postpone your visit. We’ll be happy to debate the efficacy of masks with you when this is all over and you come in to sell your dead grandmother’s clothes.

Truth be told, it still seems to be a polite sign really. Needless to say, the sign went viral right away. According to the owners of Antique Sugar, the sign was never meant to go viral. They just got tired of having nice signs like “ Thank you for wearing a mask. Help us stay healthy so we can stay open.” It just was not working, as some people would refuse to wear masks and argue with the store about it. The COVID-19 situation in Arizona is quite serious and businesses that opened still want to protect their employees and other customers by following the local government’s directives on safety.

Antique Sugar

Annamarie explained that since they put up their “grim” sign, they got numerous responses, as someone posted it on Facebook and it was shared on and on. Most responses were positive, to the delight of the owners. Surprisingly, a lot were actually from the elderly, who thanked the store for giving them a voice. The owners explained that since they opened some 10 years ago, they never got this much attention before. It is draining, but in a good way, though they still have to answer several more emails and messages, explained Annamarie. Of course, there are the haters, but Sarah and Annamarie have learned to brush off their comments. These people were likely never to become customers anyway. If any of our existing customers want to choose to not come back, that’s okay. We didn’t mean to offend anyone. Just get the damn point across. We’ve been threatened with lawsuits, with reports to the ADA for discrimination, we’ve had our business threatened to be burned down, we’ve been called names. Whatever. No sweat off our backs.”


Antique Sugar reopened last June 1, but the polite signs to wear a mask simply were not working. Some customers who refused to wear masks argued that it limits their freedom, is actually bad for you, and makes you look stupid. Talk about stupidity. Sarah explained, “Nobody likes wearing a mask. This isn’t fun. It is uncomfortable, especially here in Phoenix. It is hot, but it’s literally the smallest gesture we can make.” She further adds, “I can’t put my employee and customers at risk. Some people are trying to make this some kind of political statement but people are not dying along party lines.”

While the majority of the people who commented about the store’s sign praised the owners and gave their ideas on the subject matter, there will always be those who see it differently. That is their right, though maybe some of them don’t really care. Whatever their reasons are, hopefully they don’t get infected or infect others…particularly their loved ones, especially the elderly.

 

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