Market sign riles neighbors in S. Perry business district

There’s no mistaking where Tan Ho opened his second minimarket.

Just look for the big sign bolted to the building at 1020 S. Perry St. It says “Hai’s Mini Market Grocery, Beer, Wine, Cigarettes,” and it’s got some of the area merchants in a bit of a huff.

The illuminated sign advertises one of the handful of businesses in the section of South Perry Street that have been undergoing renovations over the past few years. New cement sidewalks have been poured; old-fashioned looking street lamps have been erected.

However, some merchants don’t think Hai’s sign fits in with the neighborhood’s attempt to improve its image. They’re not all that crazy about his merchandise either, which runs the gamut from cheap alcohol to pet food.

No one doubts that Ho is a good businessman. After all, on any given night, the busiest spot on the quiet street is in or around Ho’s store.

“It’s a good business on his part, but clearly he went in without any knowledge of the pre-existing culture and the character of the neighborhood,” said Craig Sweat, owner of the nearby J. Craig Sweat Photography. “I can’t hold it against him, but there is some local resentment.

“Let’s face it; people who want beer and cigarettes at 8 in the morning. I don’t have any shared values.”

Mel Silva, co-founder and president of the South Perry Business Association, has spearheaded the movement to clean up South Perry Street. He also has been vocal in his disapproval of Ho’s New York-style bodega.

“There have been quite a few things going on,” Silva said. “There are panhandlers coming up there. There were some messes on the sidewalk out in front of his store. That just comes with the territory when you have beer and wine.

“If it were happening in front of my store, I’d be cleaning it up and running out.”

Ho, who is from Vietnam, opened the minimarket about six months ago. The space was once a martial arts studio. Ho opened his first store eight years ago at 2201 E. Sprague Ave.

Both stores are open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

“The biggest thing to me is the signage,” said Mark Camp, co-founder of the neighborhood association and owner of nearby The Shop coffee shop. “It seems silly the city would have allowed that. I think it’s a cool sign, but it doesn’t fit the neighborhood.”

According to Steve Haynes, a Spokane city planner, Ho’s sign meets the city code. The code states a sign cannot be bigger than 40 square feet. Although it nearly touches the lamp post, Haynes, who has received complaints, said there is no regulation regarding the distance between the sign and the light.

“I apologize to the neighborhood; I know a lot of those people,” Haynes said. “But it met code, so we approved it.

“It sticks out like a sore thumb, but it does its job. It gets your attention.”

The trash, which was collecting on the side of Ho’s store, also was getting attention, albeit negative attention. Ho said he would get rid of the empty boxes and debris, and he has stuck to his word. Ho said he also plans on erecting a fence next to his store to hide the trash from passers-by.

The South Perry Business Association said it has not formally talked to Ho, but plans to meet with him and will express its concerns. Silva said Ho has been invited to the group’s meetings but has not attended.

“He’s a very busy man, and he’s a good businessman,” Silva said, “but you can’t have blinders on. There’re more aspects to business than just making money.” self end