Nov 18, 2009 11:17 pm US/Eastern
Residents Celebrate Cafe Hon Flamingo's Return
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The flamingo flies again in Hampden, Hon. Facing a city fine, the owner of Cafe Hon removed the longtime display a month ago, but now it's back.
CBS
The flamingo flies again in Hampden, Hon. Facing a city fine, the owner of Cafe Hon removed the longtime display a month ago, but now it's back.
Kai Jackson reports the big unveiling happened Wednesday night.
Owner Denise Whiting, her customers and Hampden residents seem happy again. All are excited that their beloved bird is back.
Supporters cheered as a giant, two-story, pink flamingo was once again perched in front of Baltimore's iconic Cafe Hon in Hampden.
"It's not about Cafe Hon, it's about everything coming together," said Whiting.
Things fell apart last month when the big bird flew the coop. The city informed Whiting, the restaurant's owner, that she didn't have the proper permits and was flying fowl.
"We took it down, yeah," said Whiting.
The story caught the attention of Mayor Sheila Dixon. She encouraged Whiting to put the flamingo back on the restaurant's fire escape.
"This is a landmark that really helps us determine the uniqueness of Baltimore," said Mayor Dixon.
Whiting had to pay to have the bird flying over her business again, but it's not the $800 she originally had to pay. The price was adjusted due to the triangular shape of the sign. Traditional signs are rectangular.
Whiting also got the mayor to agree to put a sign advertising Hampden on Interstate 83.
She says the Hampden sign must still meet state and federal approval before it's placed on Interstate 83.
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