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lucyELK GROVE-

A mechanical mannequin, hawking wares with a waving sign, could help put one more person on the payroll in Elk Grove.

“It could have a 10-20 percent impact on our business,” said Colin Saeger.

Saeger owns Elk Grove mom and pop shop Baja Burrito and says that impact could easily translate into a new hire that he’d love to make.

But right now, his city won’t let him have a mechanical sign holder like the one on at Lube Express and Smog on Sacramento’s Fruitridge Road.

Her name is Lucy, by the way.

Fred Rodriguez, Lucy’s boss in Sacramento, says there’s no doubt she’s increased sales.

“At least ten percent if not more,” said Rodriguez.

So if a ‘Lucy’ could help a small business compete, why would Elk Grove let a sign ordinance stand in the way?

“People don’t like the mannequins you know. They kind of stand out,” said Mayor Gary Davis.

The city’s already getting complaints about general sign clutter.

Funny thing is, a business can have a human sign-waver dancing around on any street corner – just not a mechanical one.

Sager says all this amounts to much more that irony.  He believes it could mean irrevocable damage to his business.

When he opened up almost six years ago, there were no open restaurant spaces open on Laguna boulevard, Elk Grove’s main drag.

Instead he’s located on Bruceville, a road with less traffic.

Storefronts there are set back from the road and there are other issues.

“One of the beautiful things about living in Elk Grove is there’s lots of trees and it makes our city beautiful. But lots of trees also hide us, Saeger said.

Saeger does advertise, but one ad in something like ‘The Laguna Shopper’ costs him $700 a month.

A ‘Lucy’ would cost $1,500 one time.

She’s always available, never takes vacation and won’t be asking for a raise.

To get more eyes on Baja, Saeger hopes his city lets Lucy’s cousin move in.

Elk Grove mayor Gary Davis says he wants to see successful small businesses and fully-leased shopping centers, so the city council will discuss some kind of change to the sign ordinance at an April meeting.

Most likely that discussion will not involve sign-waving mannequins.

Instead,  the council could consider moving signs with a lower profile.