Missing gorilla statue spotted

The following was originally published on August 6, 2016.

Shelbyville motorists have felt like something is missing lately on their Miller Ave. commute. For many years, drivers became accustomed to seeing a gorilla statue around town, most recently at 877 Miller Ave.

Never fear, the gorilla is in the possession of Randy Robinson, owner of Randy’s Auto Sales. Robinson recently moved the statue to his office facilities located off Habig Street. Saturday Shelby sat down with Robinson this week to find out more details about the gorilla.

SS: What can you tell me about the gorilla?

RR: He’s probably 10 to 15 years old and is made out of some kind of fiberglass. He weighs about 500 pounds.

SS: Where does this story begin?

RR: I rented 609 E. St. Road 44, maybe eight or nine years ago, to a car lot called Circus Auto Sales. They bought the monkey and set him out front for advertisement.

SS: How did you end up with him?

RR: They moved out owing me money, and before they could beat me out of my money, I went and got the monkey.

[Robinson explained that there weren’t any hard feelings as a result of him taking the statue.]

SS: What happened next?

RR: I took the monkey and moved it to 877 Miller Ave. and he has been there, up until a month ago.

[Robinson’s shops have always been located off Habig St. He explained that it got to the point where he needed his office to be near his shops. He moved out of his office on Miller Ave. into his current, remodeled office on Habig. Eventually, he decided to move the statue to the new location, as well.]

RR: Everybody in town knew about the monkey and I’m sure there has been 10,000 people or more wondering what happened to the monkey.

While the whereabouts of the mythical Bigfoot are still unknown, locals need no longer worry; Shelbyville’s missing gorilla statue has been located.