Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
OREM — A Utah County woman bought more than $500 worth of shirts because she said they were inappropriate and she wanted to get them off display.
Judy Cox said she was concerned with the messages and images printed on T-shirts on display in the PacSun store window at University Mall Saturday. Cox said they included scantily-dressed models in provocative poses, and she thought they should be taken down.
"These shirts clearly cross a boundary that is continually being pushed on our children in images on the Internet, television and when our families shop in the mall," she said in a statement.
Cox said she talked to the store manager about it, and other people apparently had complained, as well. But the store manager claimed corporate wouldn’t allow the display to come down until the promotion ended on Wednesday, according to the Daily Herald.
So, Cox bought all the t-shirts — $567 worth — to get rid of them, she confirmed. She said she plans to return them on day 59 of the 60-day return policy and let corporate figure it out.
"Hopefully the message will be clear that this is not acceptable for public display in our communities," Cox said.
She also questions whether the display was against the mall lease and Orem City code, if not Utah state law. Cox met with the city attorney and decided to return the shirts after the display promotion is over.
Cox said she hoped her efforts would inspire others to speak up.
"You don't have to purchase $600 worth of T-shirts, but you can express your concerns to businesses and corporations who promote the display of pornography to children," she said.
PacSun CEO, Gary Schoenfeld, released the following statement:
"PacSun is proud to be a retailer that supports a unique collective of brands, all of which deliver on the California lifestyle through their individual personalities. Our brands take inspiration from a variety of influences including music, art, fashion and action sports. The result is a creative and diverse expression both in product and marketing.
"While customer feedback is important to us, we remain committed to the selection of brands and apparel available in our stores."
The display is still in the windows at the Gateway Mall store location, but the Herald reports it is not at the Provo Towne Center.
