Southeast : City Cracks Down on Storefront Clutter

On aesthetic grounds alone, shopkeeper Gurdev Singh applauds recent efforts by Bellflower to reduce advertising clutter in the windows of the city’s liquor and convenience stores.

“I don’t like so many signs either,” said the owner of Thompson Market in the 14200 block of Bellflower Boulevard. Although posting more than a few signs might lure more business, he says, “it doesn’t look clean.”

But looks are not the only reason Bellflower has begun cracking down on merchants who clutter their storefronts. Sheriff’s deputies who patrol the city have complained that too many window signs can obscure criminals who might be trying to rob the store.

“When you’ve got the windows plastered with signs . . . you’ve afforded a criminal some cover,” public safety director Lee Mingle said.

The city has prepared letters for about 40 store owners reminding them that an ordinance prohibits them from covering more than 40% of their front windows with signs. The letters, set to go out next week, also ask owners to remove posters advertising expired deals.

Store owners who have not cleared up their windows by late next month could receive violation notices, officials said.

Not everyone is happy about the crackdown. Kay Yoon, manager of EAY Liquor in the 14300 block of Bellflower Boulevard, said he fills at least half his window space with posters to advertise discount prices and he has never heard complaints. Business is already slow, he said, and removing the ads “would cut down my advertising.”