RAMONA (CBS 8) – A Ramona business owner says she is receiving threatening messages on Facebook and on the street about the name of her boutique that has the name Isis in it.
Sally Hilton moved from England 18 months ago and opened a plus-size clothing boutique in Old Town Ramona in March of this year, called Isis Full Figure Fashion.
“We're just all equal and it really doesn't matter what our shape or size is,” said owner Sally Hilton. “We called it Isis because she is goddess of femininity and beauty."
However, some people are mistaken for the Isis, the Egyptian Goddess, even a popular 70's television series was based on her, “The Secrets of Isis" over the terrorist group.
Hilton says in August the boutique started receiving threatening e-mails, phone calls, social media posts and face-to-face confrontations from people thinking she was connected to the terrorist group I.S.I.S. an acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
“People asking why we are connected with a terrorist organization,” said Hilton. “Threatening to boycott and picket the business."
The business owner says she assumed there might be a misunderstanding but not to this magnitude so she reported the threats to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
“It's terrifying and we take it very personally,” said Hilton.
She says all of her clothes are American-made and as a new business this has taken an unexpected toll.
Hilton says the Ramona Chamber of Commerce has remained mum about the issue but she other business owners have reached out to support her boutique.
“A lot of people in Ramona here love them so I think they will get through,” said Bella Mia Salon and Spa owner Linda Hall. “There are certain people you just can't fix,” said Hall.
Isis Full Figure Fashion has been opened for almost seven months and already received San Diego's A List 2014 award and Best of Ramona's award for Best Boutique 2014.
Despite the backlash, Hilton says she is not changing the name of her shop because it would be too costly but more importantly she wants to educate the people who cast judgment.
“I think as soon as you start to give a terrorist organization or some evil people…then you give them power and I don't think we should have to do that. I don't think they should win,” said Hilton.