Storefront ideas?

[Jay H]

Here is my store front.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/greatangles/storefrontday.jpg

As you can see the mirrorish tint on the windows make it hard to see in during the day. I leave the place lit up like an airport at night but I need some help with visibility during the day.

I need to get my store outside.

I’m getting a proposal on the sign tomorrow. I will be sexy for sure. But even after that I need ideas for getting life out side the glass windows. Awnings are on the radar screen but still pretty far off. I’m going to put some window boxes in and plants around the tree.

Even with all that, it doesn’t really help let you know what is going on inside.

I have a few ideas but want to just see what pops up here.

Carry on.

[Steph]

Originally posted by Jay H:


I will be sexy for sure.

You got to love a confident man!

[Rick Granick]

Frame each of those upstairs windows in a different style. (Coat the frames with marine spar varnish for weather resistance.) You will get tons of free publicity.
:cool: Rick

[Jeff Rodier]

How about framing those windows with very wide archatectural mouldings?

Rick beat me to it.

[Jay H]

That should read "IT will be sexy" Its past tense and wouldn't apply to me because I already AM sexy.

[JudyN]

Put your sign in gold letters right above the door on the brick...oh and have it lighted

[Patrick Leeland]

Ok this is a dopey thought I had the other day...so that is a warning. Jay you are a smart and crafty fellow. So why not use frames to make the planters...use frames to frame the windows...could you put a frame on the outside of your window that has your logo and attacht it to the window or building? Or how bout a window valaince type of thing that has your name and what you do-brief description? I n bright letters haging right about the windows?

Looking good so far.

PL

[Tim Hayes.]

Here is a possibility for signs (http://www.carvedhomesigns.com/)

[Emibub]

Jay, I was watching "Ellen" yesterday, because I'm home and I can do whatever I want to, she had Paris Hilton on and Paris said "That's Hot" is so over. Ellen asked her what her new phrase was and Paris said "That's sexy". Just thought you should know because once it takes off you will sound like a vapid socialite. Nice store front!

Carry on!

[brian..k]

Obviously you need to replace all your windows with Museum Glass! ;)

[B. Newman]

Any way to paint all that white woodwork red?

When you get your awnings, add a couple of park benches

[Scrap]

Jay, Your store front is very similar to mine, and I had the same problem. I also had a sunshine problem. We decided that awnings would look nice, and they create the shade we need in the afternoon. Awnings are a little expensive but they sure dressed up the store front, and a lot of other merchants followed our lead. Our customers liked them too. Now when we have parades and street fairs, we get a lot of lawn chair sitters in the afternoon. Thats O.K. cause when I'm bored, I go out and chat.

[Jay H]

I'm not sure what a vapid socialite is but if that means really cool, then thats me.

It looks like the entire downtown area has looked having a guy from up north do their signs. They are doing all the signs with a similar theme. I have very little say so over the design. Thankfully these signs are amazing. It will likely be 3-D with inset gold leafed letters.

WOODWORK? OK JAY CALM DOWN....Thats granite! It cost alot of money to get it white again.

I would like to add a park bench. But does anybody put frames or maybe those cheap canvases outside?

Here is what I have in mind.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/greatangles/storefrontmaybe.jpg

Lots and lots of plants and two red fabric banners with some white writing on them. I have a wire cart that I'd like to put some photo frames on and roll tiout side. Maybe a stack or two of those gawdy-imported-gold frames?

[Paul N]

Nice place Jay!

The best way to make it visible, "sexy" and reduce the sunlight which in turn will make the inside visible are decent, expensive looking awnings.

And good lighting at night.

[EllenAtHowards]

Could you have a sign painter paint a big hungus gold frame on the perimeter of the glass in the big windows? GOld leaf, curly cues. I can see it in my head...

[B. Newman]

So ok, I thought it was wood - sheesh! Then paint the door red. :rolleyes: and make those benches old-fashioned park benches.

[Steph]

My front windows are right on a road with no foot traffic. My only chance for getting someone to see is that its across from a school and thery have to slow down. Also whenm school lets out traffic is at a standstill, yeah. What I did to make my windows stand out, and we already have awnings, I made four wide gold frames that firt inside the window from the inside, made a huge difference. I also hang a large gold frame on front of building below the windows and change the sign inside it every month.


Next project is top build boxes in side those frames thata re lite, where I can hang small artwork, hadnc rafted items etc.

My gallery is visible on one side from the road. I keep it lit at night, and has had a big impact.

I still struggle with my signage since its on one large sign with 4 other businesses.

I like the idea of awnings and seating on your store front, you could also have nice lettering put on front flap of awning...Custom Framing, etc

Looks great so far, Jay....and sexy!!!

[Tim Hayes.]

Did you say benches (http://www.benches.com/)?

[J Phipps TN]

Jay,

Your building is so cool!

This is small, and may seem simple, but a small sidewalk (custom, not the changable ones) sign that says something like... "Art Gallery, Welcome" would be effective. People like to feel welcome and I think a small sidewalk sign just makes you want to see what is going on in there.

We have a Downtown Kingsport Assco. building that has an Art gallery up stairs in it. The building looks alot like yours. They have a small sidewalk sign outside that just says "Art Galley" and everytime I go by, I want to go in and see what is new. If that little sign was not there, I would not feel as welcome to go in. The sign is right in my line of sight while driving also.

Also on thier building are 3 flags, that hang on poles sticking out from the building at an angle, instead of hanging straight down. It looks really cool and really catches your eye.And you can see them clearer that way when drivng by.

Just some small things to think about.

Jennifer

[Rogatory]

Jay this may sound wierd but have you called your codes enforcement person? He/She may have some ideas and still keep you in compliance (and someone to rub elbows with) :D

Personally I think a giant frame stuck halfway into the building at an angle above or beside your door with the other half inside would be KEWL!

[Paul N]

Originally posted by Rogatory:
Personally I think a giant frame stuck halfway into the building at an angle above or beside your door with the other half inside would be KEWL! You've been looking at the Hard Rock Cafe a lot.... ;) There is even a restaurant near here with an old Cadillac over the entrance acting the same as your frame idea! graemlins/thumbsup.gif

[ERIC]

Jay , the red banners - can you hang them sticking out from the building so you see them as you approach the building? How about start them higher, maybe 1/2 way up the 2nd story windows.

Benches sound great - with the building style, keep it very classic. Can you swing granite or concrete ones?

For the windows, try more vinyl lettering. It can get tacky if you are not careful, but gold or white can be very easy to read any time of day and from a distance too!

It would look great to have a flower box next to each tree close to the windows on either side of the door. They won't block your display windows and will greet the customer with color upon arrival.

You have some of the same problems I am thinking through right now. Hope this helps!

[Jim Miller]

If the tint on the glass is from an applied film, It would probably be worth the cost to take it off and have it replaced with a clear UV-filtering film. I did that on the windows in my first store.

If the tint is actually in the panes of glass, forget that and pour on all the light you can find. Or buy new windows.

[AWG]

OOOHHH, Jay........

All the ideas sound good - depends on what's doable.

Can you bring the NOW OPEN banner outside for a short time?

THe stripper lites look good - maybe add some real strippers :eek:

I like the benches and your awning/banner deal. What about a vinyl "banner" across the bottom of your windows - gallery * framing * etc ? (the "etc" is important)

If you've got on-street parking they may not work since the cards would block....

Tony

[Val]

Our storefront is pretty boring too, painted brown wood and tinted windows, signs on the false front roof, one out front by the parking lot, and on 2 windows. The shop has been here for 8 years and many "didn't know there was a frame shop in there.". They do now.

White Christmas "night lights" around both windows, lights under the overhang at night, colorful windmill thingies in the planter boxes, 2 large colorful flags on the posts outside.

I hung a 30x40 ornate gold, 4" wide moulding, frame on the outside wall, nothing in it, just the frame. It's one I couldn't use inside because it was damaged in shipping, but the slight damage can't be seen from the street. It's shiny and big and has caught a lot of attention from the passers-by in cars. It simply states "frames in there", without any lettering that they can't read passing by.

[Jay H]

I want to thank Carol Graham (Smile with Style) for sending this sketch.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b370/greatangles/JayStore.jpg

I really like the feminine touch. I like the small planters better than the window boxes I was planning on.

I like the round awnings but I’m not hopeful I will pull that off soon.

I like the idea of some obnoxious gold frames flanking the door rather than the red banners. I’m thinking about putting some of those Chinese gold frames up with some canvases in them with my hours and stuff printed on it…..no PAINTED on them! That is perfect because it adds interest and gets my store outside the door. That is exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks Carol!

[Patrick Leeland]

Hey this lady is good, I like her ideas best of all. Jay you got a winner with her ideas.

Pl

[Rogatory]

No wonder she wouldn't return my calls! She was drawing pictures!


Just kidding Carol, good job! graemlins/thumbsup.gif (and thank you for your help yesterday)

[Smile with Style]

Rogatory,
Now you know why I have to leave my crayons and markers at home.

[Baer Charlton]

We have a very boring sign that hasn't changed in 18 years....

I called Codes and asked if I needed a permit to put an "edging" around the sign.

"How wide?"

"About 8-12 inches."

" :eek: ?"

"Hellow?"

"Is this the picture frame shop on Fremont?"

"Yes."

"I'll be in Saturday to pick-up my painting and we'll talk about it."

It seems that it will be considered "cabinet maintainence". :D

Jay, you lucky dog, what a great blank canvas. Just remember, a 4" wide moulding at 25mph reads like a 1/2" OT black. Go for "Over sized and gaudy" and when you drive by, you will find that you only achieved subtle and tasteful.

The Georgian Revival granite front is to die for. Very SEXY!

[Val]

Are the upstairs windows yours too? If so, how about putting one great big white one-window sized letter on each one that says:

........A R T &.......

....F R A M E S......

(ignore the .......'s. it was the only way it would let me center the words)

[Jay H]

No the second floor is an office.

Baer, I love the granite too. Lots of potental there for sure.