Northern Michigan business leaving city after 13 years because of downtown bird feeder ban

MANISTEE, MI — The owners of The Gold & Silver Exchange in downtown Manistee says they are leaving the city after 13 years because of an ordinance banning bird feeders near their store, according to 9 & 10 News.

Co-Owner Nikki Bromley says she doesn’t want to leave the city, but after a bird-feeder ban in the downtown area was approved in February, her business was eventually fined $500 for leaving their feeder in place. After fighting the ticket in court, the fine was reduced to $125, but Bromley says they can’t afford daily fines.

The ban was put in place after some people complained the feeders took up space and created litter on the streets. However, Bromley says she gathered a petition of over 1,000 signatures of people asking the ban to be reversed, but the city was not interested in reversing the ban.

For now, Bromley is considering the next options for the business and is considering moving to a nearby town. 9 & 10 News reports the city declined to comment on the matter.