Mannequin Mania

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Mannequin advertising continues popping up along local sidewalks in the Austin area. Some may think they're a dangerous distraction for drivers. Others think they're a great marketing tool.

Two mannequins sit outside Mel's Meals . Melissa Sterns uses them as advertising to get customers to stop in to try out the healthy food she sells inside. She's only had them in front of her store for a few months, but says it has been a boost for business.

"We get a lot of customers that come in and say 'I pulled in because I saw these mannequins and I wanted to see what this was,'" she said.

They're becoming so popular, someone broke in through the front glass door of Sterns' business around midnight two weeks ago just to steal one of them.

"And he left an arm. So, we have an extra arm," she said. "So, if you see a one-armed mannequin walking around Austin please let us know."

And the employees of Mel's Meals try to keep their mannequin's well-dressed. Sterns' employees even use social network sites to keep the community informed.

"I post on facebook all the time," she said. "I post what the mannequin's are thinking, or if they're outside today or whatever. I get a lot of feedback that way."

Other locations are also using the power of the mannequin to persuade customers to check out their shop including an art business on South First and Live Oak, and a Chiropractic business on South Lamar that has an angel mannequin perched high in a tree.

"I think it fits in with the whole South Austin mentality. Just a bit strange," said Cynthia Schade.

She initially put the mannequin in the tree just as art.

But, the figure sometimes shocks drivers and pedestrians when they see the mannequin, which hangs almost right over a sidewalk.

"Probably if I was walking late at night...or something it would be a little creepy," said Donovan Powell.