The Corner ‘Blade’ Sign Making A Comeback
I’ve eaten at Rosalita’s Cantina only once since it opened a few months ago, but I’ve admired their sign each time I pass by. My admiration of their sign began last October.
Blade (projecting) signs were once common throughout cities, but in the 1970s a national movement to remove “clutter” began that killed off unique signs, especially those that projected from the building facade. Â Thankfully those decades old attitudes are slowly dying off.
Note to self, have lunch at Rosalita’s Cantina again soon.
– Steve Patterson
Thanks for pointing out an often overlooked but vital element of the urban streetscape. As a business owner on Cherokee Street, installing an illuminated protruding sign above our storefront was a top priority for us for several reasons. 1) Hanging signs were once very common along Cherokee Street. Hanging signs of different shapes, sizes and style contribute to a vibrant, interesting urban environment; 2) A hanging sign of the same size and shape once hung off the corner of our building, so placing a hanging sign above our storefront was basically restoring a piece of the building’s original character; 3) Illuminated signs portray a symbol of permanence in the district. It’s a mark of investment and commitment to the neighborhood. Temporary vinyl or cheap plastic signs look schlocky and low-rent; 4) It’s great for visibility. Since our sign has been installed, our walk-in business has increased exponentially. Almost daily, customers say, “we were just passing by and we saw the sign.”
That said, I am not surprised that the majority of businesses in the city give up and give in to cheap alternatives for signage. There is way too much red tape and way too many hoops to jump through in order to get a permit for a protruding sign, and I understand why business owners get discouraged or feel like it’s not worth the trouble. The city needs to streamline this process and make it much easier for businesses to install interesting signs. Compared to other cities, most of St. Louis’ commercial districts look painfully dull with their 1980s uniform awnings that make individual storefronts look almost indistinguishable from one another.
Thanks for pointing out an often overlooked but vital element of the urban streetscape. As a business owner on Cherokee Street, installing an illuminated protruding sign above our storefront was a top priority for us for several reasons. 1) Hanging signs were once very common along Cherokee Street. Hanging signs of different shapes, sizes and style contribute to a vibrant, interesting urban environment; 2) A hanging sign of the same size and shape once hung off the corner of our building, so placing a hanging sign above our storefront was basically restoring a piece of the building’s original character; 3) Illuminated signs portray a symbol of permanence in the district. It’s a mark of investment and commitment to the neighborhood. Temporary vinyl or cheap plastic signs look schlocky and low-rent; 4) It’s great for visibility. Since our sign has been installed, our walk-in business has increased exponentially. Almost daily, customers say, “we were just passing by and we saw the sign.”
That said, I am not surprised that the majority of businesses in the city give up and give in to cheap alternatives for signage. There is way too much red tape and way too many hoops to jump through in order to get a permit for a protruding sign, and I understand why business owners get discouraged or feel like it’s not worth the trouble. The city needs to streamline this process and make it much easier for businesses to install interesting signs. Compared to other cities, most of St. Louis’ commercial districts look painfully dull with their 1980s uniform awnings that make individual storefronts look almost indistinguishable from one another.
Now that they’ve got the pretty new sign, could they take the vinyl poison off the building?
Now that they’ve got the pretty new sign, could they take the vinyl poison off the building?
Most businesses wanting to add signs have two questions – how many and how big? Add in that beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and defining appropriate sign regulations remains a huge challenge, especially if the intent is to apply them fairly and consistently.
The sign illustrated here is certainly nice. The challenge is would you or I be as accepting if this were a sign for Starbuck’s? Taco Bell? Hooters? It’s very difficult for government to regulate content (the First Amendment guarantees free speech), so number, size, animation and lighting are the areas where regulations attempt to reach a fair balance.
I may be old school, but I’m in the camp of fewer and smaller is better. Signs are very much like the old arms race – no one wants a competitor to have more resources tha “I” have. Projecting signs may be somewhat unique now, but they will definitely lose both their uniqueness and their effectiveness if they become more commonplace.
Most businesses wanting to add signs have two questions – how many and how big? Add in that beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder, and defining appropriate sign regulations remains a huge challenge, especially if the intent is to apply them fairly and consistently.
The sign illustrated here is certainly nice. The challenge is would you or I be as accepting if this were a sign for Starbuck’s? Taco Bell? Hooters? It’s very difficult for government to regulate content (the First Amendment guarantees free speech), so number, size, animation and lighting are the areas where regulations attempt to reach a fair balance.
I may be old school, but I’m in the camp of fewer and smaller is better. Signs are very much like the old arms race – no one wants a competitor to have more resources tha “I” have. Projecting signs may be somewhat unique now, but they will definitely lose both their uniqueness and their effectiveness if they become more commonplace.
Thanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more information? It is extremely helpful for me.Â