We see your sign, and accept the challenge!
When the owner of Bridge Kaldo Music challenged neighboring businesses in Christianburg, Virginia to a sign war, it was the beginning of something fun and delightful.
It all started when one of Ed Bridge’s employees gave him the idea to start a sign war, which is something he’d never actually heard of. The first message he sent out was simple and to the point:
“Hey Super Shoes! Wanna start a sign war?”
When the shoe store responded in kind, Ed knew that the friendly jabs had officially begun!
Ed had no idea that drawing the battle lines with witty words would grab international attention.
In his mind, he was just looking for a friendly way to spread some joy. He told WSLS10:
“I’m just so humbled because this is bigger than my little music store.”
The buck didn’t stop at his little music store. It was actually the beginning of a wonderful phenomenon that kept hard-earned dollars cycling through the local economy.
People could see that these small businesses had real character, and chose to support them rather than faceless online retailers like Amazon.
What started out as idle banter between Bridge Kaldro and Super Shoes grew into something more lucrative.
Every business that owned a sign wanted to play along, and the tactic paid off for Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse Owner Yoshi Koeda. He told WSLS10 that business is booming because of the sign wars.
“It’s amazing free advertisement for all of us. That’s probably the best part of everything.”
“Mosh pits & raw fish: both more dangerous than shoe shopping.”
Of course, Super Shoes conveniently forgot to mention that 4-inch stilettos kill more ankles every year than all contact sports around the world combined.
“Yall got Crocs but we got Godzilla.”
Yep! Unless Kong makes a sudden appearance, Kabuki Japanese Steakhouse wins this round.
“What a ‘Croc’ IDK what stinks worse your shoes or Kabukis sign.”
Just like tweets on Twitter, signs can only hold so many characters. That’s why the people who come up with these short and sweet retorts are brilliant word wizards!
Oooh, this one has a very sharp tongue!
Anyone who plays an instrument or reads sheet music knows that there’s no such thing as B-sharp, at least not as it’s written. Clever!
Not satisfied with having just two friendly foes, Bridge Kaldo decided to tag a couple of businesses across the street.
Bad move, bro!
“Jesus is forever, honey!”
When God has something to say, you know he’s going to bring Jesus into it.
It’s hard to follow the word of God, but Christianburg Pharmacy tried to do just that with their healthy message:
“Music, shoes, and food are fine, but your health is on our mind.”
Now that everyone had been invited to the sign war…
The next business to join the fray was accounting firm Hunt & Associate LLC. They decided to put in their two cents with some practical life advice.
And no, these words of wisdom are not tax-deductible!
Unfortunately, the busy librarians at Meadowbrook Public Library didn’t have any time to go to battle.
They’re too busy helping to educate the next generation of sign-makers with tomes of free books.
Adding more fuel to the flame is the local gas station.
It’s the one place that can really light the town on fire (especially with those gas prices)!
#TRUTH!
At the end of the day, after the heartstrings have been plucked, the food has been eaten, and the shoes have been kicked off, it’s the sleepover that people actually remember!
Want to see more funny signs bantering back and forth like grumpy old men? Then check out the “Christianburg, VA Sign War” Facebook group for some extra fun and laughter.
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