Denver's Isis Books & Gifts store - no relation to terror group - vandalized
Businesses named ISIS now face an identity crisis with the worldwide emergence of the terrorist organization Islamic State (formerly ISIS/ISIL).
Isis Books & Gifts, a spirituality bookstore located in the US city of Denver, was vandalized - again - following the Paris attacks last Friday, even though they have been opened for 35 years.
Dear friends, this happened to us over the weekend. We humbly request that you send protective energy to us, as this is...
Posted by Isis Books & Gifts on Tuesday, November 17, 2015
The store is named after the Egyptian goddess of health, marriage, and wisdom.
This Denver bookshop may want to consider a name change 😨 #ParisAttacks#ISISpic.twitter.com/tg8NDxaszd
— Jeffrey Evan Gold (@jeffgoldesq) November 16, 2015
In 2013, a Belgian chocolate manufacturer called Italo Suisse rebranded to ISIS. With the extremist group receiving increased media coverage though, the company saw their sales decline in 2014 and renamed the company again. This time they went with the less controversial Libeert.
In 2014, UK retailer Ann Summers was forced to apologize after it released a new line of lingerie called Isis.
Ann Summers launch Isis underwear range http://t.co/7nPz9kxX1Upic.twitter.com/YH0c1xkQ5V
— The Independent (@Independent) August 22, 2014
The chain explained that the Isis thongs, bras, and suspenders were, like the other businesses, named after the Egyptian goddess and had been chosen months prior.
@MrsAniretak Isis is also the name of the Goddess of the Sky! Mere coincidence ♥
— Ann Summers (@Ann_Summers) July 30, 2015
Needless to say, the retailer later apologized for the “unfortunate timing” and also confirmed the store “in no way supports or condones any act of terrorism or violence.”
It doesn’t stop there either. US-based Isis Pharmaceuticals is under pressure to reconsider its name at the moment too.
@RT_com@ShatteredKarma Perhaps that's a good idea. Remember AIDS Diet Candy?
— Marie von Astra (@marievonastra) November 19, 2015
The $7.2 billion pharmaceutical company’s name is 25 years old, but after its stock price fell 4 percent on Monday, its CEO says they are now considering a name change.