Hinsdale Cracks Down on 'Sandwich Board' Sidewalk Signs

Everyone's seen them. But does anyone mind them?

Hinsdale officials are currently going through the process of determining whether a new policy needs to be approved that would allow "sandwich board" signs on the sidewalk outside of businesses while regulating who can have them and where they can be placed. 

Currently, village code does not allow for the folding signs, and the Village of Hinsdale Board of Trustees recently asked that code compliance officers alert sandwich-board-using businesses of their violation while also tasking the village's Economic Development Commission (EDC) with making a policy recommendation.

The EDC at its May 28 meeting discussed the signs and put together a three-member task force to further develop possible guidelines.

Overall, the EDC's members present at the meeting were open to the idea of allowing the signs, but did have concerns, including the possibility that every business would be allowed to have, and therefore would put up, sandwich-board signs.

Tiffany Shriver, who owns Tigers & Tulips on 1st Street and spoke at the May 28 EDC meeting, used a sandwich-board sign outside her store, often to promote her store's stock of AGL shoes. Shriver said she credits the sign with bringing about $1,000 per week from passers-by that don't realize the store carries the shoes, which cost around $300 per pair.

She received a letter from the village in February stating that she needed to take down the sign.

"I feel like there’s a more modern solution than we have today," Shriver said.

She said a policy on the signs should take into account the best interests of Hinsdale's residents and businesses and maintain the "quaintness and charm" of the town.

What do you think? Are sandwich-board signs something the village should allow or keep off the sidewalks? Tell us in the comments below.