War over small signs spirals out of control in stunning east coast city – locals call for ceasefire

Restaurants in a quaint North Carolina beach town are embroiled in a comical sign war that's spreading throughout the community.

The hilarious battle began in Morehead City when Sam Turnage, owner of Ioanni's Grill & Bar, left “Happy Birthday Jeff” on his sign for nearly 26 days.

Clarke Merrell, the owner of neighboring restaurant Dank Burrito, got fed up with the sign this summer and decided to send a message on his own sign.

“Ioanni, stop being lazy, change your shield,” said Merrell, changing his shield and starting the fight on the boards.

“It's just fun. I just had a wild rabbit and I just wanted to fight,” Merrell told WCTI12.

Sam Turnage, the owner of Ioanni's Grill & Bar, countered, saying his restaurant is not lazy, they are just busier than Dank's

Dank Burrito replied, “Y'all just look busy because it takes 2 hours to make a dollar taco.”

Turnage updated his sign in response to Merrell's call to action: “Thanks, we're not lazy, we're just busier than you.”

Dank Burrito countered, “You all only look busy because it takes you two hours to make a dollar taco.”

Then businesses across Carteret County decided to join in, with some calling for a truce among restaurants.

Merrell estimates that more than 70 businesses – including auto repair shops, furniture stores, gyms, the local VFW and even churches – have changed their signs to comment on the feud.

Merrell estimated that over 70 businesses across Carteret County joined the sign war

Other companies, including Kittrell Auto Parts, joined the dispute

The sign at Newport VFW Post 8986 read: “War? Hold my beer”

Local churches got involved and changed their signs to call for peace between the two restaurants.

“I feel like it brings the community together. Especially with the upcoming election, there's tension and chaos, but it's just good to have a good laugh,” Turnage said.

The sign at the fishing store EJW Outdoors read: “Guys, do we need to talk about tacos?”

Dank Burrito’s sign read: “Forget EJW, this is nacho beef.”

Ioanni's Grill & Bar doubled down on defense, changing its sign to “Thanks, we can use your property, you're not allowed to” and “Thanks, Bojangles was a better neighbor.”

In other matters, peace was called for between the two institutions.

“The sky is breaking! You're all fired up and the radiator is ready to go,” said Kittrell Auto Parts.

“Guys, do you need to meet sometime?” said the wine bar Prime Bistro.

Morehead City's community of nearly 10,000 residents is so excited about the sign wars that they even created a Facebook group where people can document creative sightings.

Restaurant owners said the sign war was just fun and were happy that it brought people together

“War? Hold my beer,” said Newport VFW Post 8986.

“They should turn to Ioannis and Dankgott and ask for forgiveness,” said Parkview Baptist Church.

“We can’t take it anymore, we just have to train,” said Beaufort Barre + Fitness.

The community of nearly 10,000 members is so fascinated by the sign war that it even created a Facebook group where people can document creative sightings.

“It's just the greatest thing because in the community that we live in, we're all very close-knit and it's just the greatest thing to see and observe,” Carteret County resident Ashton Blackmon told the local news station.