Banner stolen from chamber

SANDPOINT — For the second time in less than a month, thieves made off with a public display in Sandpoint.

On Memorial Day, a flag was stolen, spray painted and left in a nearby Dumpster, and this weekend the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce had a banner taken from their headquarters.

The banner, which advertised the upcoming Summer Sampler, was held down with ropes and zip ties outside the chamber’s office on Friday, but was missing when employees returned to work Monday, said Amy Little, executive director for the chamber.

Because the Summer Sampler takes place on Thursday, Little is concerned the event will not receive the exposure it deserves without the banner.

“The event is to showcase local business, specifically our caterers and our chefs and our local restaurants — it’s all about them — so it’s frustrating that someone would take it because it makes it more difficult to promote our community.”

Little hopes the thieves will feel pangs of guilt and return the banner unharmed in time for the event.

“We don’t get here until 8 a.m. and we’re usually gone by 5 p.m. If it shows up tomorrow morning before 8 or after 5, we’ll be so happy and no questions will be asked,” Little said.

Little is also offering a $30 gift certificate to the restaurant of their choosing to anyone who brings the sign back in usable condition.

If all else fails, the group has a duplicate sign that they were hoping to hang at the southern entrance to the city.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is located at 900 North Fifth Ave.

Information: (208) 263-0887