Twyla Johnson, owner of the Corner Hut vintage clothing store, has been told that the colour she painted the outside of her store is not a city approved one and that she must change it. Printing companies in the area are well aware of the importance of colour in attracting viewers and branding - and this is in effect about the branding of the city.
Ms. Johnson painted the exterior of her store in beige and a dramatic purple-pink colour. It served to brighten up what was considered a very dull corner at Young and Princess Streets. However, someone from the Downtown Business Improvement Area complained to authorities that purple-pink was not one of the city's 75 approved colours and that it should be repainted. This has resulted in many residents being up in arms; they are circulating a petition to allow the store to stay as it is now.
The 75 approved colours are quite basic; certain shades of red, ochre yellow, greens, blues, whites and greys.
The photographs of the store show a tastefully painted building, which really does not take away from the area. In fact, some believe it actually helps to improve the area.
It is understandable that cities have some rules as to what the exterior of buildings should look like. However, enforcing the rules should only be used when such a decoration or colour choice detracts from the area. The purple-pink paint of the Corner Hut adds to the area's appeal and might possibly bring more people into the struggling downtown area.
