Petty sign war spirals out of control in stunning East Coast town - with locals calling for a truce

Restaurants in a scenic North Carolina beach town are embroiled in a comical sign war that is spreading through the community.

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

Neighboring restaurant Dank Burrito owner Clarke Merrell became fed up with looking at the sign this summer and decided to send a message using his own.

'Ioanni's quit being lazy change your sign,' Merrell changed his sign to say, beginning the battle of the boards.

'It's just good fun. I just had a wild hare, wanted to just pick a fight,' Merrell told WCTI12.

Dank Burrito owner Clarke Merrell became fed up with looking at Ioanni's Grill & Bar's sign, so he changed his to call out the business for being lazy

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

Dank Burrito clapped back 'Y'all just look busy because it takes 2 hours for a dollar taco'

Turnage updated his sign replying to Merrell's call to action: 'Dank, we're not lazy, we're just busier than you.'

Dank Burrito fired back: 'Y'all just look busy because it takes 2 hours for a dollar taco.' 

Then businesses all over Carteret County decided to join in, with some calling for a truce between the restaurants. 

Merrell estimated over 70 businesses ranging from auto shops, furniture stores, fitness studios, the local VFW and even churches have changed their signs to comment on the feud.

Merrell estimated over 70 businesses all over Carteret County joined in on the sign war

Other businesses including Kittrell Auto Parts weighed in on the fued

Newport VFW post 8986 sign said: 'War? Hold my beer'

Local churches got involved changing their signs to call for peace between the two restaurants 

'I feel like it's bringing the community together, especially with the upcoming election there's tension, and it's a mess, it's just good to have a good laugh,' Turnage said.

Fishing store EJW Outdoors sign said, 'Guys, do we need to taco bout it?'

Dank Burrito's sign replied: 'Gauc off EJW, this is nacho beef.' 

Ioanni's Grill & Bar doubled down on their defense changing their sign to 'Dank, can we use your lot cuz you are not' and 'Dank, Bojangles was a better neighbor.'

Other business called for peace between the two establishments.

'Heaven's breaks! Y'all are fired up and radiator to go,' said Kittrell Auto Parts.

'Boys, do we need to have a meat-ing,' Prime Bistro wine bar said. 

Morehead City's community of nearly 10,000 people has become so enthralled with the sign wars, they even created a Facebook group where people can document creative sightings

The restaurant owners said the sign war is all in good fun and are glad it is bringing people together

'War? Hold my beer,' said Newport VFW post 8986.

'You should get down on Ioa-nnis and Dank god for forgiveness,' said Parkview Baptist Church.

'We can't barre it anymore, just work (it) out,' said Beaufort Barre + Fitness. 

The community of nearly 10,000 people has become so enthralled with the sign wars, they even created a Facebook group where people can document creative sightings. 

'It is just the greatest thing because the community we live in, we're all tight everybody's tight, and it's just the greatest thing to see, and watch,' Carteret County resident Ashton Blackmon told the local news station.