Payless Furniture Outlet in Lawrence, Kansas has finally, once and for all, closed their doors. But not before a few final shots could be thrown at the town they leave behind. Lawrence, KS, one of the most Democratic communities in the US has always been at odds with the rest of the state. Republicans often refer to those who come from the as "a bunch of know-it-all folks from Lawrence". When Payless Furniture Outlet decided to call it quits, they let all of the fury out.
In long winded rants that were posted on their delivery vehicle with the building closed, owners Bob Fyfe and his son Kevin let the community know how they felt.
In a rant that equates single mothers with "welfare lowlifes" and refers to President Obama as a "hardcore marxist dictator", the owners take out some of his anger on the residents who apparently couldn't make him a successful businessman. Photos provided by Jeffrey Brunton, a member of the business that took over the lot in Payless absence made it clear that Payless Furniture Outlet is unlikely to find ongoing customers in Lawrence Kansas.
This photo, from the back of the vehicle, however, made many wonder how far former ownership was willing to go. In one simple poster, the ownership managed to:
* Offend those with mental health issues;
* Use a flag with 61 stars..
As a business, Payless Furniture Outlet has a history of going above and beyond to attract customers.
http://www2.ljworld.com/...
Promotions for Payless Furniture Outlet's "Wild and Crazy Sale" crossed the line from fun to harmful Saturday, according to Lawrence Police.
Authorities dispatched multiple police and fire units at 11:30 a.m. to the 2900 block of Iowa after being "flooded" with 911 calls about a suicidal subject who reportedly was dousing himself with gasoline and holding a road flare, Lt. Steve Zarnowiec said.
The man, 21-year-old Kevin Fyfe of Lawrence, actually was dousing himself with water from a gasoline can as part of promotions for the "Wild and Crazy Sale." His father, Bob Fyfe, 51, is the owner of Payless Furniture Outlet.
According to Bob Fyfe, police called him "stupid" and said he would be cited if he went on with further stunts. He was irate Saturday evening about the incident.
"It seems so absurd that someone could be on their own property not hurting anyone and get ticketed," Bob Fyfe said. "I didn't like their attitude. They arrived here ready to arrest someone."
"This is not a redneck town in Texas," Bob Fyfe said. "This is Lawrence, Kansas. I just don't get it. I thought this was an open-minded community."
Bob Fyfe said he produces stunts each August to attract business to his store. He had other stunts planned, including dressing someone like Adolf Hitler waving from a 30-foot cherry picker, but said he is worried he will get arrested.
While Lawrence will no longer have the opportunity to buy cheap wood furniture from a man in a Hitler costume, the community believes it will survive.
When asked about the event at a toll booth outside of town, a woman identified only as Sara informed me, "Yeah, well, every town has kooks I suppose."
Tue May 12, 2015 at 6:18 AM PT: Update The number of stars is disputed, with Gawker insisting their are 63, and another source saying 62. I've counted this once and came up with 61, so that is what I went with.. but I will visit it tonight and verify so I know exactly how many stars there are on the poster. If it turns out he is also annexing Guam and say, Fiji, I will update.
Tue May 12, 2015 at 6:38 PM PT: Update Gawker is wrong. I went over to Lawrence and physically counted. It's 61 stars. I have no idea how they came up with 63. Also note: this diary was published before their story, they could have just checked...