At 2518 Peach Street, a wooden grasshopper named Joe has been quietly welcoming Erie shoppers for decades—peace sign in hand, antennae raised, and charm turned all the way up.

Grasshopper Boutique has been a fixture of Erie’s quirky retail landscape since 1971, blending bohemian flair with a touch of insect whimsy. Out front, Joe—the store’s unofficial mascot—holds an “OPEN” sign where the “O” doubles as a peace symbol, a subtle nod to the shop’s countercultural roots. Most passersby don’t know his name, but they recognize his silhouette instantly. A mural of Joe stretches across the building’s side, larger-than-life and painted in vibrant hues, cementing his place in Erie’s visual folklore. Over the years, Grasshopper has become more than a boutique—it’s a landmark of local eccentricity, a place where fashion meets folklore, and where Joe stands eternal, antennae to the sky.