I just love it when an “old pro” gets it into her mind to have her say here on the blog. So imagine my delight when
Irene Mylan, owner of Clothes Circuit in Dallas, writes to us from her vacation home about something she’s been mulling over:
SIGNAGE
I have been away from my business, Clothes Circuit for two months now and find myself having “bus-man holiday” moments in the local resale stores in our vacation locale. I am struck over and over at how poorly some shop owners use the available space above their premises or at the curb to announce what they do.
To my mind, the words “Consignment” or “Resale” need to be prominently shown so that people driving by can be enticed to explore. I ache to think about how many of us come to work each day and essentially waste all our otherwise good efforts because we have not adequately broadcast those words in the largest font feasible.
There’s a small photo of Irene’s storefront on her web site in which it’s hard to see what she suggests. So here’s what her logo looks like in an ad:
Some more ideas and logos
This last example you may have seen before, because I just love the sign!
Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Irene’s replied to this post, over at https://auntiekate.wordpress.com/2011/06/27/open-house-for-consignment-resale-and-thrift-shopkeepers/#comment-5621 …
one detail that’s pretty subtle and easily overlooked is, I think, important: on Irene’s web site, her tagline is Dallas Upscale Resale, because of course, she wants to tell who and WHERE she is to the wider world. The ad above, from a local magazine I assume, doesn’t need the “Dallas” in it. (Or maybe that’s just an old ad I borrowed!)
Just another example of the details counting.
My store name is ReSale 360. I have a 3’x9′ lit box sign by the road. On it my logo is purple, teal, and orange on a big hang tag. I have a changeable letter sign on the building that tells what we sell and events and I have vinyl lettering on all of my windows that say ‘free pick-up and delivery, layaway, furniture, home decor, artwork. People still walk in and ask me if the last business owner is still there. Or they say, “Is this resale?” You can never have enough signage.
Not only did I add “Upscale Resale” to my sidewalk sign, I am hosting “Fashion on the Walk” next week. I have recruited girls to model our fashions on the sidewalk from 4 pm to 7 pm (rush hour traffic). We will pass out flyers with discount coupons when the light turns red and traffic is stuck! I am hoping to drive just a little more business my way. I will let you know how it turns out! I did make a point to check with my local law enforcement just to make sure they don’t ticket me for soliciting!