Gee, Your Store Smells Terrific

Establishing Perfumania as a memorable brand at North Miami, FL’s Aventura Mall required a little "aromatherapy" from Jon Greenburg & Assoc. Inc. (JGA), Southfield, MI. In addition to shelving that mimics the shape of fragrance bottles, the store features whimsical signage by American Signcrafters (Bay Shore, NY).

American Signcrafters President Jeff Petersen says, "We were given several original designs to work from. JGA wanted something less formal and more ‘floating.’" Although one of the sign designs specified stainless-steel lettering with brushed-gold faces, the project was made more affordable and lightweight by using pin-mounted, 1-in.-thick, Alcan Sintra® PVC foam lettering with anodized gold laminated faces and simulated silver-painted returns. $image1

Like the sign, the perfume bottle sculpture at the store’s front proved "heaven scent." Daddonna Studios (Pompano Beach, FL) created the icon by building a wood display box in the rough shape of a perfume bottle, and leaving space for an interior glass cabinet that would be attached later. Around this box, Daddonna staffers sculpted urethane foam. Finished in fiberglass, the bottle was then coated with automotive paints.

"We built the structure in three parts, brought it into the mall, assembled it and put it in place," explains President Dan Daddonna. "The thing was so big — yet simple. That’s where the impact was."

Installing in a mall can be challenging. Before you bid a job, check to see if you’ll be installing after hours, Petersen suggests. If so, you need to factor overtime pay into your proposal. Also, because you can’t use a crane inside a mall, factor in special rental equipment you may need.