Wylie: Officials, store clash over whether code applies to outside statue

07:45 AM CDT on Thursday, May 18, 2006

By LAUREN D'AVOLIO / The Dallas Morning News

Sasquatch is going to trial in Wylie.

JUAN GARCIA/DMN

Mel Foust (center) and son Brian say their statue doesn't violate city code because it's a mascot, not merchandise.

The 6-foot-8, 200-pound fright is a statue recently displayed outside Texas Dollar Pawn. The city says the glowering beast – festooned with a dozen Mardi Gras necklaces, which no one wants to know how he earned – violated the city code governing outdoor display of merchandise.

The city cited store manager Brian Foust after two warnings. Mr. Foust and his father, store owner Mel Foust, say Bigfoot is the store's mascot and isn't for sale like other merchandise. The creature's likeness is on maps and signs throughout the store.

"It really helps business," Mel Foust said, adding that Texas Dollar Pawn's profit soars up to 20 percent above the norm when the shaggy statue is displayed.

Mindy Manson, assistant city manager, said the proprietors simply need the right permit.

"We had to categorize it somehow," she said.

Sasquatch is now in compliance, nestled inside a door frame.

Customers like Emanuel Gonzalez, 21, don't understand the kerfuffle.

"It looks like the store mascot to me," he said. "When you're driving by, it attracts you, and you want to stop by and look at it."

The trial is scheduled for June 29 in Wylie Municipal Court. The Fousts face fines up to $2,000.

E-mail ldavolio@dallasnews.com