Bigfoot Stands Tall Near Awning

August 5, 2006

The Dallas Morning News

A contentious Bigfoot statue now lives beneath an awning in Wylie, dodging Texas' punishing sun and the code the statue once violated concerning outdoor display of merchandise.

The 6-foot-8 statue is Texas Dollar Pawn's mascot, say manager Brian Foust (right) and owner Mel Foust, and they were willing to move it so it could stay at the Wylie store. The city cited Brian Foust, manager of Texas Dollar Pawn, in February after the menacing creature was moved about 10 feet from Texas Dollar Pawn's storefront. Provisions in the law mean Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, can stay in its new home under the 3-year-old canopy, because he takes up less than 30 percent of it.

But the 6-foot-8, 200-pound slovenly effigy may face a jury trial. It's at the prosecutor's discretion whether to dismiss the citation or proceed, according to Mindy Manson, Wylie's assistant city manger.

"It's always been available to him," Ms. Manson said of the awning's legal loophole. "It was just a matter of sitting down and working through what the codes are, what he's proposing to do and seeing what needed to be done to bring it into compliance."

Brian Foust and his father, store owner Mel Foust, insist Bigfoot is the store's mascot and isn't for sale like other merchandise.

A court date was scheduled for June 29 in Wylie Municipal Court but has been postponed until Nov. 30, Ms. Manson said.

The Fousts may still face a fine up to $2,000.

Mel Foust says he'll classify Bigfoot as whatever he has to, if it means his hairy friend can remain outside.

"From the beginning, I said I'd pay for the necessary Bigfoot permit. I was being cooperative," he said, adding that recent peacekeeping steps by the city have brought compassion and common sense to this ridiculousness. "I wasn't looking for trouble. I was looking for a solution."

In the next two or three years, the Fousts intend to upgrade their awning – from 36 square feet to 75 – so more pawnable items can be kept outside.

Meanwhile, Sasquatch is so cracked and faded that he appears to be wearing deep purple mohair.

Demetric Goodwin, a first-time Texas Dollar Pawn browser, isn't put off by Bigfoot's obstreperous appearance. He doesn't see anything wrong with the frightening figure, no matter where its dolly rolls it.

"What's wrong with it? Who's it hurting?" Mr. Goodwin said. "If the store wants it to be a mascot, let it be a mascot."

WCSRO, 2006.