Show Us the Signs of Your ‘Hood

Presumably, every ST reader knows that signage plays a far greater role than merely identifying customers’ places of business. It provides cost-effective, on-premise advertising and creates theme and familiar context within communities. And, by extension, the enterprise’s municipality also benefits economically (i.e. more tax revenue).

Tangible financial benefits aside, when workable codes, forward-thinking customers and creative, motivated signmakers converge, signage also transcends mere function to create neighborhood ambience and vernacular – and make the community a destination.

During a recent, Friday-afternoon sojourn to photograph unique signage (we’re occasionally allowed to do such things), I crossed the Ohio River into Covington, KY’s Mainstrasse neighborhood. Long known as one of Cincinnati’s more vibrant venues for nightlife and festivals – Oktoberfest, Mardi Gras and Sausage Fest are major annual events – the Mainstrasse corridor has become a magnet for charming, kitschy shops and restaurants. This sign gallery documents the local color that unique signage and murals provide.

I hereby invite you to submit galleries of unique signage from your neighborhood, hometown or vacation destination that likewise affirm signs’ ability to cultivate neighborhood character. As time and space allow, we’ll post them in ST Update or on www.signweb.com.

Photos and information may be submitted to ST Senior Associate Editor Steve Aust at steve.aust@stmediagroup.com.