Sellers in chicken and gorilla costumes find haven in Ohio

This northeast Ohio city has decided against trying to regulate costumed pitchmen advertising fast food, furniture, and other wares, especially considering the state of the economy.

The advertising antics go on near Tallmadge Circle, the picturesque but heavily traveled center of this mostly residential city of 17,500. There’s a war memorial there surrounded by US and military flags, a monument recognizing townspeople who died serving their country, and a former town hall and church from the 1800s.

While some residents are amused, others have complained, worried about distractions to drivers and the dignity of the parklike setting. Townspeople say they saw the costumed chicken out drawing attention to a fast-food restaurant’s chicken sandwich and the gorilla outside a furniture store.

“Lately I’ve had people in costumes tapping on the glass of my car while I’m waiting on traffic to get onto the circle,’’ said city Councilman James Donovan, who runs a funeral home.

At the urging of some council members, the city began working on a possible ordinance restricting costumes and body sign advertising.

But in a state where unemployment is about 10 percent, calm heads needed to prevail, and the idea has been dropped, said Pat Sauner, community development director.

When a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise opened about two weeks ago - advertising by sending out a coffee cup with legs - that was news, Sauner said. The site had been vacant for three years in the city about 35 miles south of Cleveland.

“In today’s economy, with everybody struggling so, you do whatever promotion you can to bring in business,’’ Sauner said.