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Commission asks Main Street and A1A retailers to remove indecent displays; merchants and residents say enforcement gaps remain
Summary
The commission passed a resolution urging retailers on Main Street and A1A to voluntarily remove indecent or vulgar T-shirts and storefront displays. Business owners supported the measure at public comment, but raised limits of code enforcement and consumer-protection issues.
Daytona Beach — The City Commission unanimously adopted a resolution on Sept. 3 requesting retailers along Main Street and State Road A1A, and commercial properties east of A1A, to voluntarily remove indecent or vulgar T-shirts and storefront displays.
The resolution, moved and seconded during the administrative portion of the meeting, passed 7-0. Mayor Derek L. Henry and commissioners described the measure as a voluntary step aimed at addressing community concerns about family-oriented corridors.
At public comment, George Saint Pierre, owner of Jungle George's at 1022 Main Street, told the commission the initiative was welcome but said enforcement tools are limited. He told commissioners that two neighboring stores continue to display items he described as objectionable and that code enforcement has told him existing rules did not allow removal unless an entire store met the threshold for an adult-only business. He also described alleged unfair retail practices affecting a minor customer and urged the city to consider stronger enforcement if voluntary compliance fails.
Resident John Nicholson urged the commission to follow through on enforcement. City staff and commissioners acknowledged there are existing ordinances that address some forms of retail conduct and said they would coordinate with code enforcement and police to identify enforcement options.
Why it matters: The resolution is voluntary rather than regulatory, signaling the commission's intent to encourage private businesses to change storefront displays without imposing new criminal penalties. Commissioners and merchants said the next step is to monitor compliance and consider code- or enforcement-based options if voluntary measures are ineffective.
Next steps: Staff will review existing ordinances cited by public commenters and coordinate code enforcement and police on possible follow-up. Commissioners indicated they might pursue stronger legal measures if the voluntary approach does not reduce the displays complained about by merchants and residents.
