The building-sized sign on Canal Road near the intersection of Orange Beach Boulevard can bring a smile to Patrick Shedd’s face.

A brainchild of his and his partner in nearby Big Fish Restaurant, the aqua-blue banner, an aerial view of Orange Beach, proclaims to the world: Life will always be better in Orange Beach, Alabama. Orange Beach — The Best Kept “Secret” in the United States.

Shedd and Leck Lilayuva were brainstorming to come up with a way to spread a positive message amid all the negative news swirling about the BP oil spill. Their idea was the sign.

“We’re always trying to do what we can to make this a better city and this was a way to portray a positive image,” Shedd said one afternoon at Big Fish. “We’ve had a lot of interest between Subway, Big Fish and Bruester’s.”

Shedd is a partner or owner in all three of the businesses including 10 Subway restaurants and four Bruester’s ice cream stores. Other partners are wife Jin Drick, brother Daniel Shedd and Joe Beachum.

Their businesses sell bumper-sticker size versions of the big sign for $1 with the proceeds going to charities.

And the efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Most City of Orange Beach vehicles, including the police chief’s car, sport the stickers. Recently Mayor Tony Kennon requested more.

“Pat is one of those guys that has unbelievable loyalty and commitment to everything aound him,” Kennon said. “He loves Orange Beach. I can’t say enough good things about him.

“I think it’s fantastic.”

Just about everyday, Patrick sees someone stopping to take a picture of sign.

“What I really like is when I drive by our property and there’s a tourist standing outside take picture of themselves with the sign to take back and show their friends,” he said. “That tells me that the message is being heard.”

Once he and Lilayuva came up with the initial idea, several others stepped up to offer major contributions.

“That picture came from Anita Elizar of Three Palms Realty,” Patrick said. “Anita’s been a tremendous asset to myself and to a lot of the things we do around here.”

Elizar, also prominent in the Orange Beach Business Association,  came up with the slogan and Patrick’s wife, Jin, added “Orange Beach — the best kept secret in the United States.”