Unauthorized photo of the Nifty Nut House. Now I’ll have to kill you.
Today I took my daughter there because she has this widely-read blog and wanted to get some pictures to go with a post on what’s cool about Wichita. We were marveling at the vast array of delectable goodies when a woman approached and told Jessie she couldn’t take any more pictures. “We sometimes get people coming in to check out our pricing,” she explained.
Right. Sure. I get that. A picture and price for every freaking item in the place is explicitly posted on the store’s Web site, but no prudent business owner wants tourists taking their own pictures. Such photographs might end up on Facebook and Instagram and certain widely-read blogs, resulting in all kinds of free advertising. Alienating the occasional customer and extinguishing little sparks of goodwill is a small price to pay to mitigate such a risk.
OK, now I’m in danger of blowing out my sarcasm bypass valve. So I’ll stop. Let me just say that this post is not about the Nifty Nut House. It’s about idiots who like control for the sake of control. I guess any private business has the right to ban photography on its premises, but why try to justify it with a patently bullshit story about protecting proprietary information? Like it’s not enough to embarrass your customers; you should also lie to them. We’re shopping for nuts and candy, for crying out loud, not enriched plutonium.
I know: I’m probably overreacting here. The Nifty Nut House is still a nice store, and I’m sure it will get along nicely without my goodwill or patronage. I just think overt paranoia can be bad for business. And I’m really sick of people assuming that all the world’s evil can be contained by banning amateur photography.
The suits are ruining the Republic
It’s all about 
Simply gawking is no longer enough
How do you solve a problem like Korea?
Springfield lions club
Eh…..forget the nutty bar. How about some up close and personal of the Donut Whole gifties (why hello, dangly chicken earrings!) And tell me the coffee matches the donut goodness?
It does indeed. We’re heading there this afternoon. I shall report my findings.
Clearly, there is some kind of Homeland Security issue here. The lie is just to divert attention from the true purpose of the Nifty Nut House, whatever that may be.
I’m pretty sure you’re right. It’s the only rational explanation.