DOWNEY - It is no secret that the coronavirus has put a damper on everyone’s birthday, graduation, and other celebratory events.

That’s when Downey resident Michelle Gabriel was struck with an idea: a rental yard sign business aimed at helping those with something to celebrate to do so during the pandemic.

She called it Yard Sign For You.

“Yard Sign For You is a small business that places yard signs for different occasions on different people’s yards,” said Gabriel. “Basically, it’s a way for families to celebrate different occasions with their loved ones; most anything that someone wants to celebrate, I have a yard sign for it.”

“With this whole pandemic happening, unfortunately it’s really hard on people and emotional for people that have a celebration that is happening during this time, and it hasn’t been celebrated or won’t be celebrated.”

Yard Sign For You has been open for business since December, catering to many different occasions and customizing styles, colors, themes, and characters to appeal to the celebrater’s likes and personality.

Gabriel effectively operates a one-woman operation, handling rentals, design, installation, and pick up all on her own. She believes that lawn signs and drive-by celebrations will stick around after the pandemic has run its course.

“I think that even if we weren’t in a pandemic now, I just think that it will be the way that people celebrate now,” said Gabriel. “Post-pandemic, once everything is over with and everything, I think it will still be a fun thing to have on your yard.”

“They’re super fun; they bring so much cheer and joy to the community. I wanted to do something for the community, to bring cheer and celebrate events which basically would otherwise go uncelebrated. That’s not fun.”

Yard Sign For You can be found on Facebook and Instagram, as well as yardsignforyou.square.site.