The Italian Centre Shop is a marketplace for specialty imports, grocery and fresh produce but, more than that, it’s a business committed to fostering community. Its founder, Frank Spinelli, had left Italy in 1951 in search of new opportunities. In 1959, he had opened the first Italian Centre Shop in Edmonton with his business partner Remiro Zalunardo. Originally, the store offered Italian magazines, pop and chocolate – a way to share a piece of home with their new community. Soon it became just as well-known as a gathering place for friends and family. And, thanks to Frank’s active role in the neighbourhood, Edmonton’s “Little Italy” quickly built itself around the establishment.
Interested in learning more about the history behind the Italian Centre Shop? Check out their “Heritage” page!
Today, the Italian Centre Shop continues its tradition of bringing the tastes and ambiance of Italy to its customers. With the tagline, “where the language of love is great food,” customers are encouraged to gather over a table and experience delicious homegrown Italian favourites. It’s a place where you’re considered part of a big family (whose passion is amazing food and quality ingredients!). Unsurprisingly, the store has become a landmark – not just to locals but for customers across Alberta.
In fact, many customers refer to the Italian Centre Shop affectionately as “Spinelli’s” in tribute to the founder who was so well-known and well-loved.
Much to the delight of non-local fans, in July 2015 the Italian Centre Shop opened a fourth location in Calgary. In addition, they seized this as a chance to rebrand. The winning logo redesign, seen above, captures the essence of this proud family business. An old world heritage feel with a lasting, modern look; it honors their deep roots while looking forward to the future. The two colours featured in the logo, brown and cream, represent chocolate, milk, coffee, and earth – crucial elements to the production of their delicious food.
The Italian Centre Shop was expecting quite the crowd for their soft opening in Calgary. Not only was it their first location in the city but they were also showcasing their brand new logo! Therefore, it was essential for their signs to be installed on time. Topmade was able to complete the work three days in advance, so the Italian Centre Shop family was able to focus on important business – welcoming their customers and being welcomed into their new community.
With so many types of signs, how do you choose the right one for your business?
Over the next few months, we’ll take a closer look at the different sign types and their benefits. Today, it’s all about Neon Signs.
Neon signs are iconic, durable and tailor-made to meet your design needs. George Claude, a French engineer, chemist and inventor, created the first neon lamp in 1902. He found that when electricity was applied to a sealed glass tube filled with a specific gas, such as neon, a brilliant light was emitted.
While we use the term “neon,” sign makers use a number of different inert gases (such as helium, carbon or argon), along with special coatings, to create the wide array of colors available.
Widely considered a form of art, neon signs often bring to mind memorabilia from 50s diner culture and the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip.
Interested in a piece of Alberta’s history with Neon Signs? Take a road trip and visit Edmonton’s Outdoor Neon Sign Museum!
How are neon signs made?
The process is fascinating! First, the design is created using computer software and all the different pieces are isolated and mapped out. Then it’s time for some hands-on craftsmanship. Using the computer generated design as a guide, the glass tube pieces are shaped over a flame by a highly trained professional. Once that’s done, different quantities of gas and coatings are tested in the tubes to achieve the perfect color.
If you’d like to see the full process in action, the Discovery Channel’s “How Do They Do It?” video is very informative.
What are the benefits of neon signs?
- Eye-catching and inviting. The light from neon signs is considered “warmer” than other types of light. This gives you a dual advantage. You stand out against your neighbours while also appealing to customers.
- Make a statement indoors or outdoors. Over the past few years, style blogs have been raving about a resurgence in neon signs. They are a great way to attract attention with a bold design choice, whether it’s for a storefront or an interior design project!
- Tug on the heartstrings. The timeless, nostalgic appeal of the neon sign can be a great way to cultivate a more personal or established image of your business.
- Long-lasting. Neon sign lights can last for 10 years and often much longer. There’s a reason you see so many historic neon signs still going strong!
Do you have a question about neon signs? Need professional insight on the pros and cons of the many sign types available? Give us here at Topmade a call, we offer expert signage consulting to help you decide what kind of sign is right for you.
If your store is located in a pedestrian-heavy area, or if you’re budget-conscience but want to increase your business’ advertising strategy, a sidewalk sign or sandwich board (also known as an A-frame sign) might be the perfect choice for you. Easily moved, stored and quickly changed to reflect different messages, they also give you the opportunity to show off your wares in a public space, directly in the line-of-sight of foot traffic, and in two directions! When space is at a premium, a sidewalk sign can make a huge difference for visibility of your brand.
Sidewalk signs come in a variety of styles to cater to any specific need.
Chalkboard or Dry Erase Signs:
Show off your personal style and make quick changes. Armed with markers or chalk, the design possibilities are limited only by your imagination! The best part is, you can tailor each message to be perfectly in sync with your brand and, as an added bonus, customers often appreciate the personal touch.
Chalkboard Sign
Panel Boards:
Branded to you and available for multi-use. Panel boards allow for posters to be displayed and changed out. In this case, there is simply a protective, weather-protective case for your paper poster graphic to slide into. This grants a lot of design flexibility, as the posters can be created with any design to reflect your company’s brand.
Sandwich Board with a Permanent Graphic:
No fuss and designed for general-purpose. Non-customizable signs are for information that will, most likely, not change. For instance, it could show your store logo, hours of business and location. Or you can have a collection of different signs you pull out as needed, for example, when you’re open, having a sale, or ready to hire.
Sandwich Board with Permanent Graphic
Swinger Boards (Hanging Sign)
Traditional storefront sign alternative. Swinger boards (also known as hanging signs or “shingle signs”) are different from the other sidewalk signs discussed because they’re placed above the sidewalk. However, they have identical benefits and come in the same styles. Furthermore, if your business is unable to accommodate a larger storefront sign, whether it’s due to cost, zoning laws or lack of room, a swinger board can give you the sharp look you need while directing traffic to your store.
Important Considerations:
- Cleaning: Being close to street traffic, it’s easy for your sidewalk signs to get covered in cast-off muck. Make sure to keep your signs clean of debris in order to give possible customers a professional impression of your store.
- Wind: If you are concerned about weather conditions, such as strong winds, there are sidewalk sign frames that can be weighted on the bottom with rocks or sand.
- Portability: If ease of movement is more important to you, you can purchase a sidewalk sign with wheels or one that uses a light-weight collapsible frame.
But are sidewalk signs allowed in my area? While they may be a great solution to your advertising conundrum, there may be local zoning laws that prohibit or limit their use or position on the sidewalk. Before making any final decisions, contact your municipality, or us here at Topmade, and we’ll guide you through.
