Are Fabric Awnings A Thing Of The Past?

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Have you noticed a decline in your fabric awning sales over the past few years?     We have seen a slight decline, and attribute it partly to the economy, but we have also seen an increase in architectural metal canopies and awnings. These standing seam metal, flat architectural metal, and glass designs seem to be more in demand than the conventional fabric strung awning these days. Architects have been using more and more structural steel awnings that are often fabricated and installed by the structural steel contractors, or the general contractors. The manufacturers of commercial awnings, that for the most part consisted of companies within the sigange industry, are ever increasing.        West Coast wholesale awning manufaturer, Cymco Wholesale has seen the change in tide and has adapted their product line according to Lucienne Hebert.  Cymco Wolesale has added architectural metal awnings and sunshades to their line of products offered.

The change is design and construction is not new to the industry though. Chad Randle of The National Park Service did a fantastic job writing a Preservation Brief called “The Use of Awnings On Historic Buildings – Repair, Replacement & New Design” (http://www.nps.gov/hps/tps/briefs/brief44.htm). It is quite interesting to see where awnings started, and where they have progressed to in the 20th century.

What are your thoughts on where the awning industry is headed? Will fabric make a retro comeback like a good pair of Converse high tops? Or will they slowly fade into the past, only to be used on historical applications like a good old record player and a classic on vinyl?

Fad or not, one thing is for certain; As long as there are creative designers and fabricators out there pushing the envelope, awnings will continue to evolve!

Are You Sending Your Customers Mixed Messages?

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Don’t Send The Wrong Message

Having a bad hair day? Now that Daylight Savings Time is here and fall is upon us, many of us view our businesses in a different light. Literally!

In the real estate business, you may call it curb appeal. Some call it making a good first impression. Whatever you call it, in today’s competitive marketplace it better be appealing to your customer. If you have garbage outside your front door and a dilapidated sign on your store front, the chances of new customers walking in your front doors goes down significantly! As I travel throughout the Pacific Northwest visiting business owners, I occasionally hear “I can not afford to update my store front”. I say in these days, how can you afford not to?
A Message You Don’t Want To Convey!

As an exercise to help you get a feel (and some ideas) walk around a successful mall or shopping district. Look at each store as you approach it and take a quick guess as to what kind of customers they are trying to attract. Then, evaluate how well they are doing. If you are the kind of customer they are angling for, decide how well they are doing. What could they do better? Take your new-found knowledge back to your own store and examine it. You may be surprised at what you learn. Once you have an awareness of your own store’s curb appeal (to your ideal customer) then begin to plan changes you can make. As always, make the easiest, quickest changes first. Having a properly serviced sign is always a good start.

If you need help jump starting ideas for a new look, or just need your sign repaired, Signs Plus can help. Give us a call or drop me a line at jim@signsplusnw.com today.

Building Face-lifts a Sign Of Uptick In The Economy?

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More activity in the signage and commercial remodeling industries has been noticed in the past 6 months as building owners have begun to invest money in their properties again. Many owners are choosing to repair, repaint and redesign their signage rather than opt for new construction as budgets continue to be tight.

In the past 3 months Signs Plus has been involved in several notable projects that are showing that confidence in the business climate is growing. Keith Oil Company, owner of the long time vacant Chevron property in Sumas, WA has plans to do a mild face-lift and re-open the gas station as a Tank-N-Tote in the coming months. Rather than a major remodel, the Signs Plus crews are repainting the building and canopy fascia, updating the lighting, and installing new signage.

Sumas Tank-N-Tote Remodel

This is a trend for larger national franchises as well. The Burger King Franchisee owner of the location on Telegraph Road in Bellingham, WA has opted for a repaint of his existing sign cabinets, roof lighting band and drive thru structure, as well as a re-face of the roof light band rather than performing a complete remodel. Signs Plus crews will begin these renovations in mid November. The franchisee owner has plans to make the required complete remodel at a later date in hopes than consumer confidence will continue to build, and construction lending is loosened.

Signs Plus plus is a full service design, fabrication and installation company located at 1330 North Forest Street,  Bellingham Washington. For more information on their services, go to www.signsplusnw.com, or contact Jim Sutterfield at jim@signsplusnw.com.