Shop Owner's Scientology Sign Leads to Business Coalition

Travis Wilkinson's first sign is just a warm up.

Wilkinson, a Southern Baptist, said it's "hurtful" that people think he's a Scientologist and that customers often think his business is associated with the church simply because it's located downtown.

He is the owner of Berry Beautiful Salon and Spa, and he placed a sign in front of his business stating “Notice: this is one of the only spas in downtown Clearwater not owned by a Scientologist" in September.

Because of the support he has seen from the community since putting the sign up he is creating the Clearwater Small Business Coalition, which will offer members similar signs to place in front of their businesses.

He doesn’t see anything wrong with the signs that read: “Notice: This Business is Not Owned by A Scientologist.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing discriminatory about that,” Wilkinson said. “It’s simply a statement of fact.”

He said there are about 15 businesses interested in joining him. But they are waiting for at least another 15 members before they put the signs out, Wilkinson said.

“All those signs would go up on the same day,” Wilkinson said. “It would have to be a unified effort because people are afraid.”

Related coverage:

Shop Owner Sign Makes Clear He is Not Scientologist

What Clearwater's Saying: Scientology Sign at Local Business