Duane Hicks
Fort Floral has a new employee who’s stopping downtown traffic.
“Lexi,” a sign-waving mannequin, started working this week after having moved here all the way from Arizona.
The mannequin is notable for her moving arms, which allow her to wave signs in an attention-getting circular motion.
Fort Floral owner Brad Hogan said he’s seen sign spinners while visiting Arizona—both human and mechanized—and decided to get one of the latter to bring back here.
“I just thought it was a unique idea,” he reasoned.
Hogan said Fort Floral staff immediately took to their new co-worker (they’re the ones who named her), and he already has plans to change Lexi’s attire and signage as the season and occasion dictates.
For example, Lexi currently is promoting Secretaries Week. Then next week, she’ll be reminding shoppers about Mother’s Day (May 8).
“She is getting attention,” noted Hogan.
“I was up front there looking out the window and I saw a lady taking a picture,” he chuckled.
Hogan said Lexi is not replacing the Mountie who has become a summer fixture outside the 310 Scott St. location.
The Mountie is at a convention in Minneapolis right now but upon his return, he will join his more animated co-worker outside Fort Floral.
Hogan said got Lexi to advertise Fort Floral.
But he’s contemplating renting her out to other local businesses, such a car dealer who is having a sale and wants to draw the attention of passers-by.
