Patriotic or offensive? Nail salon sign at center of Fairview flap




Posted on April 1, 2013 at 4:13 PM

Updated Tuesday, Apr 2 at 10:08 AM

FAIRVIEW –– A sign posted outside a Collin County nail salon promoting it as "American Owned, American Staffed" is generating controversy. 

The merchant defends her sign by saying it's a patriotic business decision. But others believe it's focused more on what her Fairview business isn’t: Asian owned and operated.




The salon owner, Diana Casey, said she never intended to offend anyone, but wanted to draw attention to her store. 

"This is a business decision," she said. "It's just letting people know I'm American, and I speak English."

There are three Asian-owned businesses in the small strip shopping center along Stacy Road. Two of them said the sign made them uncomfortable. 

"People come to America for the opportunity to have a better life," Casey said.  "That's why they're here. And if they're American citizens, they're Americans. That's all I have to say about it. This is not about anything else other than Americans."

Thayer said he would pay the salon owner to replace the sign with something less offensive. 

"I've done a lot for my country," he said. "I served it, and I'm proud to be an American. But I'm not proud to use that as a way of putting somebody down who wasn't born here."

But Casey isn't budging, saying her sign isn't offensive. She said her customers are behind her.