The Sign Factory is one of the only full-service brand signage companies to provide-in-house expertise to overcome complicated site and permitting issues.  Team member Jim Minar has been called one of the most experienced permitting experts in the country.

Minar has more than 20 years experience in the sign business.  He began his career as an installer for a major national company based in Stockton, CA.  In 1997 he moved back to Seattle to be the lead project manager for another leading sign business.

For the next 10 years, he handled major accounts and million dollar budgets for clients such as AT&T.  Since 2005, Minar has been permit Department Manager for The Sign Factory, working with clients national.  When he’s not tackling the toughest permitting issues, Jim enjoys spending time with his wife of 34 years and 2 sons.  He also likes listening to music and walking his dog.

Signage for new location required complicated permitting and site challenges

For more than a quarter of a century, Copiers Northwest has provided superior products and services to the region’s leading companies.  A new location in Beaverton, Oregon presented the opportunity to work with The Sign Factory.  “We have been interested in doing business together for some time,” said Marie Holland, Executive Assistant to ownership.  “The timing was perfect.  We needed branding signage for the new building and they had just called us for copier needs.”

The corner location with potential freeway exposure and landscaping concerns presented unique permitting challenges involving city officials.  Veteran TSF team member Jim Minar is one of the most experienced permitting specialists in the country.  He and sales representative Erik Stephanides worked tirelessly with both the city and the landlord to obtain necessary approvals.

The signage features a blue logo, white acrylic faces highlighted with black perforated vinyl graphics for maximum marketing exposure.  The 3m perforated materials enable the sign to illuminate at night, making the colors appear white.  “Erik and his team were phenomenal,” said Marie.  “They suggested the unique design and worked with the parties to gain permit approvals.  TSF delivered exactly the design and location needed to expand our brand.”

Copiers Northwest’s purpose is to provide superior quality multi-function copier, printer, fax and software products to businesses and organizations in the Northwest.  For more information, please visit www.copiersnw.com

Monument sign poses significant hurdles to complete re-branding project

Oakhurst Center is a sprawling two-building office campus located in the popular 520/Overlake area of the Bellevue suburban office market. A re-branding project had already commenced when CB Richard Ellis assumed responsibility as property managers. The CBRE team needed a brand signage firm to build and install the interior and exterior signage designed by Effective Design Studio.

The major branding piece features a monument sign located at the entrance to the complex. The sign required months of negotiations amongst city and legal representative to gain compliance with permits and related codes. “TSF team member Jim Minar is head of our Permit department and one of the most experienced in the country,” said Jim Risher, President, The Sign Factory. “His expertise has enabled us to tackle some of the toughest projects such as this monument sign and the restoration of the Paramount Theatre.”

Joy Rubin is the Art Director for Effective Design Studio, a leading full service branding and graphic design firm located in Seattle. Joy and her team created the signage design package for Oakhurst and were assigned to oversee the signage work. “Working with the TSF team was an easy process,” said Joy. “The expertise provided to obtain approval for the monument sign was impressive. Obtaining a signage variance is one of the most common requests and among the hardest to fulfill.”

TSF has worked with the CBRE team on other successful projects such as the Kirkland 405 Commerce project. “The collaboration with Effective Design Studio and The Sign Factory has resulted in a fantastic sign package,” said Garrett Guiler, Assistant Real Estate Manager, Asset Services, CB Richard Ellis. “This will benefit the campus immensely. We’re especially looking forward to the completion of the monument sign.”

“Sales Representative Nic Chavez and Lead Project Manager Kevin Hill were instrumental to the success of this project,” said Risher. “Their attention to detail and communication with Joy and her team are a testament to our commitment to execution at the highest levels for our clients.”

For more information regarding CB Richard Ellis, please visit www.cbre.com
For more information regarding Effective Design Studio, please visit www.effectivedesign.com

Owners upgrade popular Las Margaritas at Bear Creek Town Center; open Agave Cocina & Cantina

Northwest entrepreneurs Julian and Frederico Ramos along with their sister Fabiola knew it was time to upgrade their popular Los Margaritas restaurant located at Bear Creek Town Center.  Although the business featured loyal customers and a great staff, the building had not seen any changes since the 70’s.  Older brother Julian says Cocina & Cantina was born.  The owners needed branding signage.

“Our landloard, ISH Properties, recommended The Sign Factory,” said Julian.  “We also noticed some great signage on other businesses in the center.  Erik and his team worked hard with the city to expand space above and below our fascia to maximize size and scope.  We’re very pleased.”

The Fascia was among the smallest in the center.  Julian and Erik wanted to go above the fascia band to illuminated the Agave portion of the sign with white halo.  Erik met with city inspectors to obtain approvals.

The three also own and operate a sister restaurant in the Issaquah Highlands.  Julian says Agave’s features hand crafted cuisine that is preservative, lard free and organic whenever possible.  He calls the menu selections a perfect fit for the Redmond location.

Agave Cocina and Contina was designed by Food and Beverage Specialist, Sue Geny Interior Design, Inc.  of Kirkland.  The new restaurant seats 211 guests in a multi-level dining room and festive bar.  The family also credits founder Arnold Shain and hist team at Restaurant Group Incorporated for their pivotal role to provide industry expertise for the new restaurant.

For more information, please visit:

www.agaverest.com

www.sgidinc.com

www.restaurantgroup.com

Newly opened Mi Mexico Family Mexican Restaurant part of TSF family

Pedro Lopez has been a valuable member of the TSF team for 20 years. He serves a vital role as a lead fabricator. For his brother Javier, there could not have been a better person to handle branding signage for his new Mi Mexico Family Mexican Restaurant located on Park Lane in Kirkland.

To sweeten the project, nephews Thmas and Carmello and TSF team members also helped to build the signs. The challenge was to create and design new signage to fit the storefront remodel. The new channel letter signage is LED, providing more efficient energy use and saving money.

“Javier and I like the signs,” said Pedro. “There are clean, visible and easy to read.”

Rob Butcher of KirklandViews.com says, “The former Jalisco location at 115 Park Lane will serve the standard, family-friendly dishes as well as some more, shall we say, healthier options and with a new focus on the quality of ingredients.”

You can view his article at Kirkland Views

Try it for lunch or dinner the next time you’re in downtown Kirkland.

Tell them The Sign Factory sent you!

The Sign Factory specializes in helping establishments such as Chang Thai North Bend, Hit-it-Here Café at Safeco Field and Tablas Woodstone Taverna make the most of their retail environments with state-of-the-art design and signage. For more information, call 1-800-585-2066 or visit the Sign Factory website at www.thesignfactoryusa.com

TSF team successfully completes project within three weeks

Team would have preferred to enter all 2010 projects based on brand design

Limiting the number of entries for the International Sign Contest is always one of the most challenging tasks of the year for The Sign Factory Team. After an exhaustive and intensive review, the team has chosen several client projects to be entered into the competition managed by Signs of the Times Magazine Senior Associate Editor Steve Aust.

“It was such a great year for our clients in terms of collaborating with the TSF team to design and
create unique brand environments,” said Jim Risher, President, The Sign Factory. “It was extremely difficult to choose. In the end, we were compelled to highlight some of the projects in the areas of Sports and Entertainment, Restaurants’, Public Works and Retail.”

 ShoWare Center, Kent, WA

This sign follows the aesthetic standard set by the building architecture and allows the center to use cutting-edge technology to promote their venue and entertainment calendar.

Chang Thai Cuisine, North Bend, WA

This sign is a new Icon in downtown North Bend. This classic sign was designed using old school neon techniques featuring our in-house expert Shellee Miggins.

Sunset Ale House, Issaquah, WA

This sign features a unique LED sunset lightingeffect.

Tablas Woodstone Taverna, Mill Creek, WA

This sign combines interesting halo-lighting effects and faux finish custom painting.

Kirkland Fire Department, Kirkland, WA

These Electronic Message Centers mounted on pylons provide a new consistent look for the Fire stations that is contemporary and fresh yet understated.

Swedish Automotive, Seattle, WA

These signs feature a clean and contemporary use of the clients’ highly recognized logo.

Winners will be announced in the April 2011 issue of Signs of the Times Magazine

TSF Team member Erik Stephanides earns trust through years of superior customer service

Northwest Plus Credit Union prides itself on being owned by members in local communities. Part of their mission is to provide members with branches that look and feel like their neighborhoods. TSF team member Erik Stephanides knows very well how to make the branding signage for the locations unique. He’s been working with the company since 2004.

The latest collaboration developed from the company logo has resulted in a new branch in Burlington featuring signage that’s practical, clean and simple to read. “Our goal was to create an atmosphere that was both unique to our mission and recognizable to both current and new members,” said Dennis Grote, V.P., Northwest Plus Credit Union. “We’re very pleased with the soft branding environment to make members feel welcome. Based on our years of experience working together, I trust Erik and look forward to working with him on future projects.”

The TSF team designed, manufactured and installed all of the branding signage, including lane markers, hours of operation signs, exterior wall signs and the street pylon sign. The signage is illuminated to provide effective marketing during evening hours and winter weather patterns.

“We are proud of our relationship with Northwest Plus Credit Union,” said Jim Risher, President, The Sign Factory. “TSF has a deep level of knowledge and experience in the financial and banking sector, enabling us to provide all-in-one services from branding signage design to installation.”

Erik has been a member of the TSF team since October 1998’. He is already working on additional branding signage projects with Dennis. The new Burlington branch is slated to open by the beginning of March, 2011.

For more information regarding Northwest Plus Credit Union, please visit www.nwpluscu.com

The Sign Factory specializes in helping financial institutions such as Northwest Plus Credit Union, ING Direct and Columbia Bank make the most of their retail environments with state-of-the-art design and signage.