A new yard sign business in Cleveland County is helping people celebrate milestones and stay connected.

Lori Granniss said she had dreamed of starting a yard sign rental business for the past two years and when COVID-19 led to social distancing and stay-at-home orders, it seemed the perfect opportunity to launch Shelby Yard Cards.

The business uses colorful giant letters and symbols to joyfully announce birthdays, graduations, retirements and more.

Granniss said it has become a family affair and her two sons, Landon and Logan, and husband, David, help her set up the signs.

“It is really fun,” Granniss said. “I love bringing this to people’s yard. I had the dream to do this business for about two years. When the covid and quarantine and everything happened, I was thinking ok I need to get going. It has more of a purpose.”

She said they began putting out signs around four weeks ago, and she had people calling as soon as she launched.

“Our most popular is a happy birthday sign,” she said.

Custom letters allow people to spell out whatever name or message they desire, although some, like the happy birthday sign, are already together.

“It’s kind of a mix, whatever the customer is looking for,” Granniss said. “We get with the customer and design what their card is going to look like. It's like a greeting card in their yard. We design, we deliver and install it, and then come back when it's over and take it down. That's all included.”

Many people will have the signs put up on the sly to surprise a loved one when they return home.

Granniss said normally, in larger cities the signs cost $100, but she is trying to keep it affordable and is offering the service for $75 with a $10 discount for the month of July.

She wants to work with schools and businesses as well as they welcome customers or students back.

Shelby Yard Cards delivers the yard card rentals to Kings Mountain, Gaffney, S.C. and Forest City.

“It’s kind of fun when I put it up because usually people have a story,” Granniss said. “We get to share in that.”

The aim is help people safely celebrate special occasions.

“We believe celebrations don’t have to stop during hard times,” she said. “We will bring the party right to your yard with a yard card.”

Contact: Lori Granniss at 704-284-9425