Art DiGiacomco is not a happy guy. I’m not sure I blame him.
DiGiacomco owns the Split Endz hair salon on Sproul Road in Broomall.
But what has his hair standing on end is the billboard battle raging in the township. His business is caught right in the middle of the crossfire.
DiGiacomco does not own his building. He leases it. The guy who owns it is considering hosting one of the massive billboards that are sparking so much controversy in the township. Simply put, residents hate the idea, and they are venting their wrath on businesses that they perceive to be on the side of the billboards.
The problem is that DiGiacomco is not on the side of the billboards, even if his landlord is. But the fallout is hurting his business.
He called me this week to complain because we ran a photo with the latest court ruling on the billboard issue in the township that included a sign for his salon.
He says every time he gets linked to the billboards, it costs him business.
It’s a legitimate point. Marple residents should not take out their ire on DiGiacomco. He has no say in what his landlord does.
DiGiacomco was legitimately angry when I talked to him. I can see his point. In this economy, the last thing a business owner needs is being lumped in with an extremely unpopular position.
Especially when he has no say in the issue.
Residents should keep this in mind when they consider things such as a boycott. And, I suppose, newspapers should keep it in mind when we select photos to run with stories.
DiGiacomco owns the Split Endz hair salon on Sproul Road in Broomall.
But what has his hair standing on end is the billboard battle raging in the township. His business is caught right in the middle of the crossfire.
DiGiacomco does not own his building. He leases it. The guy who owns it is considering hosting one of the massive billboards that are sparking so much controversy in the township. Simply put, residents hate the idea, and they are venting their wrath on businesses that they perceive to be on the side of the billboards.
The problem is that DiGiacomco is not on the side of the billboards, even if his landlord is. But the fallout is hurting his business.
He called me this week to complain because we ran a photo with the latest court ruling on the billboard issue in the township that included a sign for his salon.
He says every time he gets linked to the billboards, it costs him business.
It’s a legitimate point. Marple residents should not take out their ire on DiGiacomco. He has no say in what his landlord does.
DiGiacomco was legitimately angry when I talked to him. I can see his point. In this economy, the last thing a business owner needs is being lumped in with an extremely unpopular position.
Especially when he has no say in the issue.
Residents should keep this in mind when they consider things such as a boycott. And, I suppose, newspapers should keep it in mind when we select photos to run with stories.
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