PHOENIX – A poster demanding masks that is posted outside of Phoenix’s vintage clothing store, Antique Sugar, is going viral.
Sarah Bingham, co-owner of Antique Sugar, says she created the sign after some customers argued about having to wear masks inside their store.
The sign says, “If you choose not to wear a mask, we respectfully ask that you postpone your visit. We will be happy to discuss the effectiveness of the masks with you when all of this is over and you come to sell your dead grandmother’s clothes.”
Bingham said she has been overwhelmed by emails and phone calls she has received from people around the world. People have even visited her Instagram store to place orders from other countries as a way to show their support for her business.
“Nobody likes to wear a mask. This is not fun. It is uncomfortable, especially here in Phoenix. It is hot, but it is literally the smallest gesture we can do,” Bingham said.
Bingham thanked most of his clients for wearing a mask, but said there were some who wanted to defend themselves.
“Are they like you know that masks don’t work well? Or something about carbon dioxide retention, thinking it’s bad for you to wear the mask or that you look stupid with a mask,” Bingham said.
The store reopened on June 1 and, like many other companies, has been struggling during this pandemic, while thinking about its own safety and livelihood.
“Vintage clothing is definitely not an emergency. This is not a reason someone needs to get out of the house right now. It is not like I am selling baby formula or eggs,” said Bingham.
It seems that his sassy and sarcastic mask mandate message has touched a nerve.
“People across the country are calling us to thank us,” said Bingham. She has received messages from Europe and Asia.
“Someone from Abu Dhabi even contacted us yesterday and made us a purchase,” said Bingham.
She played ABC15 one of the many voicemail messages she received, this was left by a woman thanking the business for taking a firm stance.
“More people need to be like you and maybe things will change. God bless you,” said the woman who left the voicemail.
Bingham said that being young and healthy, she feels confident that someone like her will survive COVID-19, but she doesn’t want to be a carrier.
“I can’t put my employees and customers at risk,” Bingham said, adding that in a small business with small staff, an exposure could lead to the closure of their store.
“Some people are trying to make this a kind of political statement, but people are not dying on the party line,” said Bingham.
She said that wearing a mask is a small sacrifice that everyone should make. “It really is. If we can do this and get it under control, we can go back to normal until there is a vaccine,” Bingham said.
Antique Sugar is located at 801 N. 2nd Street in Phoenix.
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