Grand Opening of New Business in Bellaire May Draw Protesters
A new business in Bellaire that sells “hippie culture” items such as glass pipes, tie-dye shirts emblazoned with marijuana leaves and other items is anticipating a protest to occur today during its first day of business.
Tim Alley, owner of Peace Pipes on 3195 Union St., is scheduled to open at 11 a.m. However, he said he was informed the American Indian Movement is expected to protest at his shop.
During a Bellaire Village Council meeting Thursday night, Village Police Chief Richard “Dick” Flanagan informed council that the American Indian Movement of Indiana had secured the necessary permits to have a peaceful protest outside the shop. He said the group is angry about the shop’s use of a picture of peace pipe on its signs and shop logo. Flanagan said he was told about 100-150 people would participate.
He also said the group informed him it planned to protest at either 11 a.m. today or at 11 a.m. Saturday.
Alley said he had no idea his use of the peace pipe would upset the Native Americans, and he had no intention of doing so when he picked it for his logo.
While trying to get his shop ready for its opening, Alley said he has received phone calls from people objecting to the logo. People, he said, are calling him a racist.
“That’s not my intention at all,” said Alley. “I have friends of every race. … I have nothing but respect for (Native Americans).”
Alley said he and his business partner, Bill Schmitt, anticipate 1,000 people to arrive and celebrate the opening. They chose today, April 20, or 4-20, because people were known for taking breaks at 4:20 p.m. to smoke pot during early California marijuana culture.
Today also happens to be Schmitt’s birthday, Alley said.
In honor of the shop’s opening, they are planning a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:20 p.m. today.
Alley has lived and worked in Bellaire for the past several years. He is a native of Virginia. Alley had a private business working on computers before deciding to open the shop.
Alley said his parents lost their home to foreclosure while he was growing up, and he did not want to have that happen to him again. He saved his money while working in Virginia and decided to pay for a home with cash when he moved here.
Thanks to the money he received from a gas and oil lease from his 2 acres, he had enough money to get his shop going, he said.
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