Over the summer, a new corner store opened on the corner of 20th & Carpenter, and soon after put up some signage that could generously be described as incredibly ugly.

In the past

Closer look

Near neighbors, offended by the sight of the signs on a daily basis, worked with the owners of the corner store to work toward a design that would be just effective in promoting their business and perhaps a little easier on the eyes. And with the proper spelling of the word “sandwiches.” About a month ago, the new signs went up.

New signs.

These new signs, designed by Chris Fernandez of 5to8, are quite an improvement, if you ask us.

We were in the Northeast yesterday and passed by one of our favorite establishments in Philadelphia. Stein, Your Florist Co. is located at 7059 Frankford Ave. and has been operating (but not at this location per se) since 1887. Surviving a 2001 fire and tough economic times in the past few years, Stein’s has remained a stalwart on Frankford Ave. for decades and will hopefully continue doing its thing for many more.

Excellent

Indeed

The signs at Stein’s make us think of simpler times in the 1950′s, back when you could get a dozen roses for a couple of bucks. Not that we were around back then, but still…

A reader tipped us off about Avanno’s Pizza, a new place coming soon to the corner of 3rd & Snyder, replacing Snyder Pizza.

In the past

In an effort to differentiate from the previous business, the new proprietors have decided to paint the building green, and apparently take a bit of an Irish theme.

Recent shot

On Snyder Ave

We get what they’re trying to do here, and the building certainly pops in a way it didn’t before, but… the guy from the Celtics logo, spinning a pizza? Hilarious, yes, but isn’t this a Sixers town? Not saying it’s gonna cost them any business, but it’s still a curious choice, no?

Over the last month, we’ve wrote a few times about the signage saga of Reyes Grocery, in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood. The other day, we were meandering around Francisville, and noticed some new signage at Papi Grocery, at 20th & Parrish. We’ve actually talked about this corner before, as a couple of new buildings have gone up here in the last year. We even mentioned this corner store, which was named Correa Grocery at the time.

In the past

As you can see, the store has been renamed, and the folks who did the original signs for Reyes appear to be getting a decent bit of work these days.

Yikes

Ugh.

Paging Chris Fernandez…

A month ago, we told you about the horrendous signage at the newly opened Reyes Grocery on the corner of 20th & Carpenter. Thanks to the efforts of near neighbors, the owners of this establishment willingly removed the offensive signs, and entered into a cooperative arrangement with these neighbors to come up with new signage. Store owner Pedro Reyes is on board with a new design from Chris Fernandez of 5to8, which was presented last night at the monthly SOSNA zoning board meeting.

Here’s a look at the recent history of this corner:

Before the storm

Unfortunate

Current view, with the ugly signs removed

Mock up of the new signs

The Carpenter Street side

…

A few days ago, The Christian Street Cafe, a new corner store/cafe business opened at the corner of 17th & Christian. This space has been vacant for years, aside from a short spell last fall as an event space for BetterBlockPhilly. The store, which is apparently not yet finished filling its shelves with inventory, will carry many necessities and will make panini sandwiches to order.

The store

Closer look

Perhaps taking a cue from nearby Reyes Grocery, or possibly just operating on a low budget, this new store has some of the most reserved signage we’ve ever seen. We’d imagine that something larger could be in the works, but if the current signs are any indication, this corner is in store for something reserved and tasteful, rather than something that causes a seizure upon driving by.

Oy vey

We’re guessing the neighbors appreciate the contrast.