Article content continued

However, the phrase has earned Perkins some slight backlash. “A couple of ladies phoned me, they didn’t understand the sign,” he said, adding that they calmed down once he had explained the intent of the message. “I’m not here to upset anybody,” he said. “I just want to take care of my clients.”

A phrase included in the sign is also reminiscent of one used by hockey icon Don Cherry in a Sportsnet segment that earned him backlash and ultimately got him fired. However, Perkins says he doesn’t think Cherry did anything wrong and posted the slogan as a way of showing his support.

“He didn’t say it in any rude manner,” said Perkins. “To me, the guy’s a great Canadian, he inspired a great sport, went to Afghanistan, built rinks, donated money.”

Photo by Lance Perkins/Facebook

He added that he didn’t agree with the reaction to the now infamous words, “you, people”. “I don’t think that slogan was pointed at any one person or race. We have a motherhouse across the street, housing nothing but nice nuns. The only other time I’ve ever heard someone use that phrase was when one of the sisters called us and asked, ‘do you people have stamps?’,” Perkins said.

He isn’t alone. “Most people that live here in Pembroke, they have no issues with the sign at all,” he said. He isn’t a hockey fan, but believes Cherry was treated unfairly. “I believe he used the phrase many, many times over the years and it wasn’t bad five or ten years ago and it isn’t bad now,” he said. “It’s disgusting, what the sports people did to him.”

The sign has since been changed, he added, but not in response to any received complaints. Rather, it’s to keep the advertising fresh and relevant. “Now it reads ‘Merry Christmas’ on both sides and ‘I sell excalibur swords’ on one side,” he said. “It comes down to what letters I have left.”

“There was no intent of aggravating anybody. How can you aggravate anyone during Christmas?’ he asks.

Photo by Perkins Gun Shop

Listen to our true crime podcast, The Dark North, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify