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GEORGE & LAURA SIGNS -- AN INTERESTING TALE

By
Real Estate Agent with Bill Cherry, Realtor 0124242

Just before this year's presidential inauguration, yard signs began popping up on the grounds of homes all over Dallas.  The message?  Welcome Home, George & Laura.

And there are hundreds of them...maybe a thousand or more.  I've seen some that replaced the "Obama for President," the previously posted signs.

The keeper of information in our Lake Highlands' neighborhood is Cliff.  Cliff and his dad had one of Dallas's premier hardwood floor companies for years.  And then one day, Cliff's dad said he wanted to retire.  Cliff said he did, too.  For Cliff it came just in the nick of time.

You see, Cliff is one of those fellows who can't stand to be inside, and especially if it means sitting behind a desk.  So Cliff went into the grass cutting business in our neighborhood.  And because he now cuts so many lawns and sees and visits with so many people throughout the day, he's a good source of information.

THE SIGN IN CLIFF'S YARD

So when I noticed the Welcome Home, George & Laura sign in Cliff's yard, I asked him where he got it.  He said that there is a college boy, a TCU economics major named Patrick Bibb, who dreamed up the idea.  The fellow started marketing them door to door and on the Internet.  He had one of the Fast Sign companies make them as he sold them.  No inventory, no waste, no need to ever have a half-price sale to dump leftovers.

When Spring Break was over, he took his cell phone to the sign shop.  Now the guy at the sign shop takes the orders, prints the signs, and the customers come by and pick them up.  He then sends the college guy his part of the profit every week or so.  And a couple of bucks from each sale goes to Pershing Elementary School in honor of Mrs. Bush.  You see, Mrs. Bush was the librarian at that school.

If you want a Welcome Home, George & Laura sign, here's the number to call.  214 676-7028.  The price is $20.

BILL CHERRY, REALTORS

DALLAS - HIGHLAND PARK

214 503-8563

 

Comments(5)

Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Bill... I posted on these signs a while back.  I never knew the whole story behind them though.  What an interesting example of entrepreneurial thinking!

Apr 08, 2009 05:18 PM
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

Bill,

I have seen them in the Park Cities, but did not know the story.  Thanks for sharing.

Apr 08, 2009 11:16 PM
BILL CHERRY
Bill Cherry, Realtor - Dallas, TX
Broker & Wealth Coach

Steve and Richard -- 

I love the whole story.  I'm glad you do, too.  There's another Dallas tradition I've been trying to get to the bottom of.  At the beginning of Lent, many here post white crosses in their yards.  And then on Easter morning, they turn them around.  On the new side is "He Is Risen!"

I've asked a handful of people the story.  All are somewhat vague other than to say, "Some of the churches sold/sell them."

It seems like such a good idea, but one that is insufficiently marketed.

Apr 09, 2009 12:00 AM
Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

That is a very nice gesture from the home State folks. Even if you were not a fan of the X pres. ,and I was not, it is still good for people to be civil and respectful. So your post was a good think to see.

Apr 09, 2009 12:14 AM
BILL CHERRY
Bill Cherry, Realtor - Dallas, TX
Broker & Wealth Coach

And Mr. Charlie, that's the point, isn't it?  Thanks for pointing it out to all who read this post.

Apr 09, 2009 12:19 AM