Massachusetts shops push back on city's window art rules: "Removes that whimsy and sterilizes it"

SALEM, Massachusetts (WBZ) -- Some business owners in Salem, Massachusetts are in a dispute with the Witch City about what's on their windows. Salem is known for its character and creativity and it's proudly displayed at shops downtown. Eric Crescimano and his wife own Gulu-Gulu Café, where colorful artwork, specifically their beloved beagles sailing through Salem, is displayed on the restaurant's side window. "Just put this up about two weeks ago," Crescimano told WBZ-TV. "Now we have this beautiful art here and it's under threat." They're among the shops pushing back against the city's rules governing temporary window art. Crescimano said the Salem Redevelopment Authority recently told him and other business owners that their artwork has to come down in a couple of months or they could face fines. "These have been things that have existed for years and now suddenly it's an issue. It was never an issue before," he said. The Salem Redevelopment Authority was created in the 1960s, in part to target and remove blight. Last year, the authority updated its standards for temporary window art. Under the code, the art must be removed or replaced every three months. It also cannot include business names, logos or brands and cannot cover more than 20% of a window. "Each business is unique, each person here is unique, and they're effectively taking it away under the guise that this is blight, like I don't see how it is," Crescimano said. The concerns are shared by Marnie Greenhut, whose Curly Girl Candy Shop is celebrating five years in business. Greenhut described Salem as a welcoming place to live and work. "It's a great community for a small business, ironically," she said. But Greenhut said she was also recently told her newly commissioned window art should not remain in place through Halloween, one of Salem's busiest times of year. The art, which cost her $900 to put up, is inspired by the board game Candy Land and a number of nostalgic treats. "I do not understand when people love it and it's just, [a city] known for art. It's just beyond me why this is a policy they want to do now and the timing right before the busy season. That just blows me away," Greenhut said. She's prepared to face potential fines rather than remove the art. "I have no intention of taking mine down on the deadline," Greenhut said. SRA executive director Tom Daniel defended the code. "The updated standards expand allowances for temporary window art, increasing permitted window coverage from 15% to 20% and extending the display period to three months, while maintaining the distinction between window art and signage," Daniel said in a statement. "The SRA also notes that businesses seeking alternatives beyond these standards may work with staff to explore other approval options through the existing review process." It's not enough to quell business owners' concerns, who say they do not believe the restrictions should be enforced at all, especially with the art not being controversial. "Salem is a weird place. It's full of whimsy and this is something that removes that whimsy and sterilizes it. Keep Salem weird," Crescimano said. Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.