Thursday, May 13, 2010

Shots Around the Sloop: Signs, Signs, Everywhere There's Signs

The Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robins store (at 1231 S. Wabash) has finished its recent renovation and it looks much, much better. However, with the renovation has come way to many signs. Not sure if this is permanent or temporary, but it's a little ridiculous:

By our count there are 10 signs. The electronic sign, the new Dunkin Donuts sign, the new Baskin Robbins sign, the old combined DD/BR sign, the two flags on the top, the gigantic inflatable coffee cup on top and the four signs in the windows. Talk about overkill!

And for the people who didn't get the Title, we will refer you to a sweet anthem from Tesla:

9 comments:

Patrick said...

I saw a dude standing out on the sidewalk across from DD next to jewel with DD advertising 99 cent coffee

Anonymous said...

Well, if these signs total 100 square feet or more they need City Council approval to get the proper permits.

If I lived within sight line of this, I'd be pretty pissed . . . then again, this entire area isn't exactly winning any aesthetic awards.

Anonymous said...

I would think the stuff on the roof isn't permanent. Regardless it does all looks tacky, but we don't live in one of those towns/neighborhoods that enforces a certain type of signage, so we live with it...

Anonymous said...

Look at the "new" Subway as well. Not even open yet and there are multiple illuminated signs up at that corner. What an eyesore!

Anonymous said...

I noticed that on the bus ride in today as well. Bet that Subway does a lot of business though with the location and patio area it has.

Anonymous said...

It's seems crazy to me when you consider how strapped the city is for cash . . . they need to enforce a few of the existing building code/zoning laws instead of dreaming up new (red light camera) schemes.

Anonymous said...

The Subway has no less than 6 PERMANENT signs affixed to 1212 south michigan. Including one on the west side of the building with a giant arrow pointing east. The look is unbelieveably tacky. It screams: "welcome to the south loop; Chicago's fast food chain neighborhood."

Anonymous said...

I agree. It's sad that this "scene" sits at the "front door" of our neighborhood and is very often the first (and only) impression visitors have of the south loop.

People get off at the crappy Roosevelt eL station; walk through the "line up" of people waiting for the westbound 12 bus (where you get the pleasure of having smoke blown in your face and your child gets to learn some choice language); you then approach the abandoned buildings on Wabash and see the 24/7 blue-light flashing CPD-camera affixed to "prime vacant storefronts"; you dodge the bevy of jay-walkers and motorists who have never heard the phrase "yield to pedestrians"; then look across the street and see a starbucks covered in bird droppings and bums, the loiter-haven aka BP, our Jewel (the fried-chicken capitol of the city), and now the over-whelming presence of subway and Dunkin Donuts ads. What a beautiful sight!

Tim said...

Anon, have you ever considered illustrating a map of the South Loop through your eyes? I can just imagine it... the #12 bus spewing graffiti along its route to the Roosevelt Red line, where it picks up a crowd of people dressed in prison uniforms; birds, smokers, jaywalkers, and motorists simultaneously harassing passersby... Buildings in transition looming eerily despite popular first-floor tenants...