Our mission is to promote economic vitality in Plainfield's Special Improvement District

Storefront Design

One of the most important and often overlooked parts of opening a business is the storefront design. When properly executed, a storefront should create an environment where people want to linger, shop and return, which in turn generates more sales for your store. Plainfield businesses should consider the elimination of security grilles; using flower pots and street furniture; changing to new glass and doors; and using attractive signage and lighting when considering upgrading a storefront. The City of Plainfield has rules in place that govern the placement and appearance of signs. Different types of signs have different regulations. Businesses have many options for signs and should create a strong, creative identity for their store. This following information will help you put together an effective storefront within the guidelines of the local regulations. Your goal should be to make your business blend in with the surroundings and improve the area while respectfully and attractively drawing attention to your storefront. This balance and harmony between private enterprise and street aesthetics should be steadily improved overtime.

If you haven't already, check out the city's Design Guidelines for Historic Districts and Sites (pages 41-42 apply to commercial districts) and the UEZ Design Guidelines. The Design Guidelines offer an excellent start to understanding historic preservation and appropriately working with your building's architecture to improve the look of your store. The most important rule to remember in storefront design is to keep it simple and to let the natural architectural elements of your building and storefront speak clearly. Let’s first look at some of the different components of the storefront so you know where you can make improvements.