Oregon businessman wants ‘Simpsons’ shopping in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — A businessman in Springfield, Ore., says it’s time for the city to embrace its most famous fictional residents and create a shopping district with a “Simpsons” theme.

Jack Koehler owns Sweety’s Frozen Yogurt, and he said business has been up since he put a set of Simpson statues in front of his store. He thinks the city should get involved, and he’s proposing that a few blocks of downtown Springfield be turned into a Simpsons-themed shopping district.

The city’s community relations manager, Niel Laudati, told TV station KVAL that there’s no demand from the public, and he doubts anyone wants to spend tax dollars to license cartoon characters.

But Laudati said the city would get behind the idea if it would benefit downtown and if other business owners and the community supported it.