Halloween decorations come down before holiday even hits

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- An East 17th Street Halloween store has taken down

decorations heralding the upcoming holiday to avoid getting busted by

city code enforcement officials.

“There is a little less Halloween spirit going on, but I’m sure

everyone will still be happy and have a good time,” said Susan Eddy,

property manager for the strip mall at 215 E. 17th St.

The black and orange streamers and “Halloween” signs were mounted this

month by Halloween Adventure Shops, a seasonal tenant opening a store

next month at the shopping center.

But city officials said the decorations are violations of a municipal

law prohibiting advertising banners on light poles. The store was given

an ultimatum: Take them down or face a possible citation or lawsuit.

The store took the decorations down Friday to keep in compliance with

the city’s demand, but the business hopes to get permission to put them

back up before Halloween, Eddy said.

“If we can put them back up later, we will,” she said. “Otherwise we

will just have Halloween without them.”