News

Eye level signs point way to avenue shops

City public works employees Russ Thompson (left) and Larry Reeves install new sign on Main Street identifying businesses and shops on First Avenue East.

By Bill Moss, Published: June 27, 2015

When he first came to town five years ago to lead Hendersonville’s Main Street development, Lew Holloway heard a lot about the signs that pointed to businesses down the perpendicular avenues.

“When I got here they didn’t have every one on there and they weren’t even on every street,” he said. A landscape architect, Holloway noticed something else. The signs, hung on light poles overhead, had “pedestrian size fonts” but a “vehicular size” position.
No more.
City crews have finished installing eye-level signs at every street corner that point the way to the businesses, law offices and shops on the avenues.
“We wanted to see how we could do something with this signage and also take the opportunity to redesign it so it fits in with the downtown brand and a lot of other things that we’ve done downtown and let people know what we’ve got on the avenues,” he said. “It’s really an effort to let people know we’ve got this whole district and not just Main Street.”
The signs themselves are metal panels that can be removed and repainted to take off shops that close and add new ones. They’re made by Signature Signs & Graphics in East Flat Rock.
Holloway said he’s already gotten calls from business owners wanting a change.
“As soon as you put something up as visible as that, you’re going to miss one or two,” he said. Overall, reviews have been “very positive,” he added. “The comment that I’ve heard most is that they look great and they’re excited that they’re as visible as they are.”