Mr. Pickles sign waver Billy Dean brings 'em in while a smile

Equipped with water and an MP3 player, Billy Dean is a living billboard battling for the attention of potential lunchtime customers.Dean can be found at the corner of Taylor Road and Webb Street, energetically waiving a Mr. Pickles Sandwich Shop sign two days a week.The 21-year-old Rocklin resident with learning disabilities appreciates the opportunity to earn spending money."I can't complain," he said, "At least I'm making money."In hot weather, Dean has to shorten his shift."I usually work four hours, but it's too hot," he said during a recent hot spell. "I'll work three hours until it cools down, then I'll work four hours again."Olivia Tejeda, one of the Mr. Pickles sandwich makers, said Dean is an "amazing" sign waiver."We get people coming in here for the first time because of Billy," Tejeda said."I've heard people say his smile brings them in."Job perks for Dean at Mr. Pickles include food: He gets a free sandwich and drink at the end of every shift, Tejeda said.While Dean is the sandwich shop's only sign waver, the deli currently does have openings for a dancing pickle. In addition to donning a uniquely shaped green costume, a dancing pickle must be "energetic and great with customers" as well as be able to interact with the community," Tejeda said. She said the shift for the dancing pickle runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., two or three days a week. Interested? Call 652-9230 or visit the deli at 3589 Taylor Road, Suite C, in Loomis.Gold Country News Service's Megan Wood contributed to this article.