Ohio restaurant won't have to dress up mascot

[July 07, 2009]  READING, Ohio (AP) -- BarBe Q, the shapely mannequin outside KT's Barbecue restaurant in Reading, Ohio, can continue wearing her revealing halter top and short shorts.

On May 13, the city's Design Review Board agreed to let BarBe Q remain on display outside as long as she dressed more modestly.

But restaurant owner Kenny Tessel appealed, and Monday night Reading's Board of Zoning Appeals agreed with him 3-2.

He had told the design review board that the advertising gimmick had increased his business by 40 percent.

"I am very happy," Tessel told The Cincinnati Inquirer. "Now, we can get back to business."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.