ARCHIVE: Category Archive for: Original Posts

Six String Grill & Stage

The Briar Group, one of our long-term customers, was looking to open a new restaurant and bar featuring live music at Patriot’s Place in Foxborough, Massachusetts. We were thrilled to be called on for this challenging new venture, Six String Grill & Stage. They requested production, design and installation services from us based on conceptual layouts. One wrinkle was that the original as-built building drawings were no longer available. However, we were able to collaborate with several of the original stakeholders to fully grasp the desired look and design specs. With a few engineering challenges and a short lead time, this ended up being an exciting project we won’t soon forget. Creating the “Wow” Factor The Briar Group’s design firm,

The sign outside your business is the first representation of your company, and in many cases, it’s the first impression customers get of your company. Having an old and worn sign with random burned out bulbs isn’t the best way to make a good first impression. Retrofit LEDs can improve energy efficiency, reduce service and maintenance, and have a longer lifespan. If you’re ready to give your sign a fresh look, consider retrofit LEDs. These retrofit LEDs are different from regular LED light fixtures, since they can utilize existing light fixtures and sockets. Here are some of the other unique benefits they offer. Improved Energy Efficiency, Reduced Service and Maintenance Compared to traditional light bulbs, retrofit LEDs can consume on

Interior signage plays a key role in providing functional and branded designs to your building. Whether they are there to provide navigation, safety or just to show your brand’s personality, they are an important element for your business. Signs that are mandatory can be compliant, while also showcasing your branding design elements. It is best practice for interior signage to be consistent with the rest of the built environment. At Metro Sign & Awning, we know how to develop the right interior signage with the highest quality materials that will perform well and last long all while respecting your time frame and budget. Branding Almost 86% of consumers believe that signs convey the personality or character of a business. Generally,

Here in New England, we live with the extremes: from the cold and wind of Nor’easters to the heat and glaring sun of the summer These weather extremes are an excellent reason why awnings and enclosures can be so valuable: reduce your energy costs and save you money. When calculating the return on investment for awnings or enclosures though, in addition to this reduction in costs, there is an even bigger benefit: they increase your revenue by increasing your selling space. Read on to learn how. Enclosures Grow Revenue and Brand All Year We help many businesses, such as hotels, restaurants and stores, by creating enclosures that help provide weatherproofing to their outdoor areas. The enclosures can aid in increasing

It is always exciting to work on and around Boston’s infrastructure, so when the opportunity to partner with Skansa Group for the installation of wayfinding and ADA signs came about for the South Boston Waterfront Transportation Center, we grabbed it with both hands. Considering our experience in signage projects in urban centers (see Signs and the Downtown Experience) as well as our expertise in fabrication, installation, service and repair of signs, we were a natural choice for Skansa and the union’s installation team. Staying true to our reputation, we provided the best possible service and supervision to ensure the successful completion of the project that added more than 600 wayfinding and ADA signs to the South Boston Waterfront. Following is

What is the best way to establish a significant and differentiated presence for your business in the market, one that attracts and retains customers? A big part of it is branding. An effective marketing strategy includes branding and reflects your business’ identity and values. And one of the best ways to establish your brand’s identity is through signage, especially exterior signage. A useful way to further your marketing engagement, signage will help you to convey your business message better and reach a bigger audience. Signage can play a vital role in creating awareness about your business and brand and help you reach customers, but this will happen only if you choose the right sign for your business. First impressions count,

Last summer, the owners of Haverhill Valley Forum expressed interest in working with Metro to dedicate their arena in the memory of Paul Gilmartin. We were excited and honored for the opportunity to work on the project. The challenge was that the perfect location on the face of the building was all glass windows and the sign they wanted to have would feature illuminated channel letters. Our sales, design project management and engineering team worked in collaboration with the Forum’s electrician to create the solution to make it happen. Sign Designed to Stand Out (by blending in) The letters were mounted to a raceway that was painted to blend into the tinted windows. We then conducted a technical survey that

Can you see me now? Verizon Wireless, and many of its authorized dealers, depend on Metro Sign & Awning to see that their signage represents the company well on many sites. For some time now, Metro Sign & Awning has been an Authorized sign manufacturer for Verizon Wireless. And while the company has a comprehensive, 200-plus-page book of branding standards, there’s a surprisingly large “gray area” and much needed flexibility built into the process of design review. Accurate Information is Key to Best Signage Design, Installation Because every business location is unique, regardless of how many branding guidelines there are, there must be some room for interpretation. When a Verizon authorized dealer contacts us about updating or installing new signage,

What does a sign cost? Compared to what? A Superbowl commercial spot? Promotional giveaways? Couponing? A sign works for you and your business 24/7. The impression your sign makes is a strong and lasting one. And signage can benefit your business in surprising ways. Familiar Signs Are Good, Overlooked Signs Are Not Individual drivers and pedestrians may encounter your sign 10-20 times a week. Seeing a sign regularly makes people become comfortable with your sign (and your business). They may even think of it as a neighbor. Signs can generate word of mouth and referral business simply because people feel comfortable with what is familiar to them. On the other hand, you don’t want your sign to become “part of the

We’ll be celebrating our nation’s birthday next week, and we hope our customers and friends will be doing the same. A bit of housekeeping: our offices in both Tewksbury and Keene will be closed on July 3 and July 4. Then it’s back to business on Wednesday! How Will You Celebrate the 4th in Boston? There are so many highly-touted July 4th celebrations in Boston and throughout New England, it’s hard to get to all the places you want to go! BostonUSA.com and Boston Discovery Guide list many, with some Fourth of July events in the Boston area starting tomorrow. Of course we won’t just be taking a couple of days off and celebrating the whole time. (Although “fun” and “relaxation” play pretty large parts