'Dancing girls' are illegal in Chesterfield County - NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Chesterfield County and a local business are at odds over advertising. The store employs young girls to dance in T-shirts that county officials say are illegal. 

Jasmine Kates and Tishana Jones both work for the Chesterfield business "Family Coin and Jewelry."

"We dance to get people's attention," say the girls. "We make people laugh so they'll come in and bring their old jewelry."

The girls wear neon green shirts that read "We Buy Gold" with an arrow pointing towards the store. But under the county's sign ordinance, the girls are considered portable signs and therefore, are illegal.

Ted Barclay is a Chesterfield Planning Administrator and investigates sign complaints. He said he's received several complaints about the girls.

The county has issued a warning to "Family Coin," but the store's owner said their choice of advertising is not illegal.

Over the phone, he told NBC12 that T-shirts are not specified in the county code. He also points out that the girls are not holding signs and their shirts do not have the name of his business printed on them.

"I've spoken with the owners, and they believe the sign is not a sign," Barclay told NBC12. "They believe it doesn't violate the ordinance but it's just a disagreement."

Barclay said if the advertising doesn't stop, the county will pursue legal action.

The store's manager said they plan on purchasing billboard space and when that happens, they say they'll stop using the dancing girls.

On the other side, you may see people dancing in costume, which is fine in Chesterfield. County officials said that's because they don't have a sign or message on their clothing that advertises a business.

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