Is it a mural? Or is it a sign?

by Paul Kjornes

When Paul Kjornes bought Nokomis Lanes at 41st and Bloomington, he thought the building needed a little sprucing up. He had a mural painted on the front and he re-paved the parking lot. Under previous owners the place had become a seedy bar and a hangout for trouble. He stopped selling hard liquor, renovated the inside and started a full dinner menu. He wanted it to become a family-friendly fun center. Then, the City, in the person of the Sign Inspector, stepped in and tried to break up the party.

The Sign Inspector said the mural was a sign because it had the product in the painting, so it would have to come down. Paul appealed to the City Council, the condominium association behind his building and the Bancroft neighborhood association. Andrea Jenkins, City Council aide to Elizabeth Glidden, who represents the area, says, “Everyone supports the mural. The condominium association wrote a very supportive letter. They were very disappointed in the previous owners and the deterioration of the shopping center. Donna Sanders of the Bancroft neighborhood association wrote a very positive letter, which said, “Paul can appeal to the Board of Adjustment if we can’t handle it administratively.”

Council Member Glidden strongly supports his right to keep the mural, and we’re pretty optimistic that the mural will stay.”

Paul says, “If it was going to be a sign, I would’ve put words in it.” (Ed Felien)