Cincinnati Mellow Mushroom Sign Puts “Fun” in Fungi

The Mellow Mushroom’s ownership knows how to have fun. Since its inception in the mid-’70s, this Atlanta-based pizza chain has es“chewed” conventional signage at its more than 100 locations in 18 states. Though its mascot, Mel, a sleepy-eyed fungi, is a fixture at every location, each restaurant’s sign package is unique.

For this particular restaurant, located approximately 25 miles north of Cincinnati, and somewhat proximate to a huge amusement park, Paramount’s King Island, the designer/fabricator/installer, United-Maier Signs (Cincinnati), was asked to devise an amusement-park theme.

Sign-code limitations allowed a maximum 8-ft. height and 48 sq. ft. Plus, United-Maier needed to cover an existing stone base from a previous business. The solution was a Ferris-wheel look, with US LED strip lights, in alternating blue and yellow, illuminating the spokes. US LED components also light the channel letters.

The background swirl image – a digital print – mimics the tie-dye themes in the restaurant. The sun’s Plexiglas® acrylic face is decorated with opaque, perforated vinyl that illuminates at night to become a moon.

United-Maier created the presentation and shop drawings with CorelDraw! software, and Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop for the design concept.