SPANISH FORT, Ala. — While city leaders sympathize with his plight, a local business owner learned during Monday’s city council work session there is no wiggle room in Spanish Fort’s sign ordinance.

“We’ve found that if we allow businesses to get off their premises (with signs) it litters things up, and we’re all strong supporters of the business community, but if we considered altering it for you, our ordinance would go out the window,” Mayor Joe Bonner said.

Shabbir Hossain, chief executive officer of Crown Investment LLC, opened the Quiznos Sub Shop in the Spanish Fort Town Center in May, but the recession has taken an unexpected toll on what he once thought would be a prime location.

Hossain explained to members of the council that he opted to open his second Quiznos franchise in the shopping center after seeing the tenant list. He requested the space across from Circuit City only to have the big-box retailer file for bankruptcy halfway through his buildout.

“At that point I had already spent $72,000,” Hossain said, noting he has invested a total of $300,000 in the venture.

Because traffic to the site is not what he expected, Hossain said he currently loses between $3,000 and $3,500 each month keeping the location operational, which is why he recently sent an employee out with a banner during lunch hour to drum up a little foot traffic.

Because the employee was off premises and in the city’s right of way, however, Bonner personally called and reported the sign ordinance violation upon witnessing it.

Hossain asked council members if, considering the circumstances, he could not be allowed to pursue the marketing technique for even a portion of the lunch hour a few days per week, but the consensus was to let the ordinance stand.

“I am pulling for you,” Bonner said, “but the public has spoken on this issue.”

Councilwoman Mary Brabner did suggest Hossain contact local youth sports organizations to try cultivating pre- and post-game orders in the coming months.

In other business the council:

The next regular meeting of the council will begin with a 5 p.m. work session in the conference room at City Hall on Feb. 15, followed immediately by the regular meeting at 6 p.m. at the Gathering Place in the Prodisee Center.