There is always a plethora of things to see and think about on the NARTS Conference Consignment, Resale, and Thrift Shop Bus Tour. So many, that I have to break them up into several entries here on Auntie Kate the Blog for you.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
This is exceptionally true for retail stores, and doubly exception of resale shops, when we have to attract attention to a business that many potential shoppers are not yet enthusiastic about. So the exterior appearance of our business matters. Here’s some ideas I spotted on the Bus Tour (click on any photo to enlarge):
Window Graphics
Not only does this bright window graphic call attention to the shop Clique (pronounced “Click”) but it also serves to obscure the secondary, unused door into the shop. Nothing makes a future customer feel sillier than tugging on a door that is locked, so this graphic saves embarrassment too! Notice that the window decal is applied on the OUTSIDE of the glass. This eliminates glare, making the colors more vivid, and in my personal experience, doesn’t cut down on the life of the decal by much.
Rhythm and Repetition
With a wide storefront of many sections of glass, and furniture to display, choices must be made. This shop elects to cover every other pane with sheer curtains, which give rhythm and repetition to their frontage. The sheer curtains also create a backdrop for their furniture vignettes inside.
An interior shot of the sheers, thanks to a fellow resaler. Notice how such a simple idea creates a backdrop for furniture vignettes in this shop.
Getting Attention on the Cheap
This shop, which is set back from the road, catches motorists’ eyes with the simplest of all attention-getters: neon-bright polka dots! That’s a 5-minute Fix if ever I saw one!
Awww…
This neighbor business uses another way to make a first impression: a road-side character! Doesn’t that chubby little mechanic make you feel all warm and fuzzy? This is branding at its best, assuming the local government doesn’t forbid you to use such signage.
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Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
Any ideas for display windows with small pains? Sooo hard to create colorful window displays with the checkerboard across both of my front windows. I am also on the inside elbow of an L-shaped plaza. I have to work extra extra hard to be seen in the corner for 6years. To make it worse, my new neighbor is a womens clothing shop that has SEVEN display windows using jumbo colorful Chinese lanterns for her pop of color, seasonal window displays.
Great challenge! Let’s make it today’s blog post, if you don’t mind, since most folks don’t explore all the way back to 2012. I commend your diligence!
I love the neon circles. Thinking about using different colors with back2school. Looking for more ideals.
Hi Sebernia, If it’s window ideas you’re after, here’s what you need: The Big Book of Window Displays Especially for Resale Shops. It’s 48 pages of ideas, tips and hints for windows that WOW! Find it in my Products for the Professional Resaler shop on Too Good to be Threw.
The signage ideas are wonderful. Decals, banners and flags are relatively inexpensive! I found a great resource in BuildASign.com and got to meet the founder recently. Now considering what to do for Back to School!