Nantucket Business Sparks Debate With ‘No Influencers’ Sign as Dave Portnoy Backs Ban

A small business on the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, has sparked a social media debate by displaying a “No Influencers” sign in its storefront, drawing support from prominent local property owner and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy.

The policy has ignited fresh discussion over tourism, digital clout chasing, and community standards in historic summer destinations. Speaking on FOX Business’ “Varney & Co.” with host Stuart Varney, Portnoy endorsed the merchant’s stance, arguing that social media personalities who use the island solely as a backdrop disrupt its traditional culture.

“The type of influencers we don’t want in Nantucket are the people who don’t care about Nantucket, the community, the beauty of it,” Portnoy said. “They just want to come here, make videos about themselves and use Nantucket as a prop.”

Located 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, Nantucket has long relied on strict municipal design guidelines and historic preservation zoning to resist rapid commercialization and maintain its small-island atmosphere. In recent years, however, rising social media exposure has brought increased tourism foot traffic, creating friction between long-time residents and transient content creators.

Portnoy argued that Nantucket was never intended to serve as a high-visibility scene for online self-promotion.

“You don’t come to Nantucket to be seen. You come to be laid back, enjoy the most beautiful place on earth,” Portnoy said.

He added that local business owners are justified in setting boundaries against visitors who prioritize viral engagement over respecting the local environment.

“I firmly stand behind this sign,” Portnoy said. “The trashy, ratchet influencers go to the Hamptons, not Nantucket. We’re an island for a reason, to keep the riffraff ashore.”