Sign Evolution from Client Collaboration

TWO YEARS AGO, Union Coffee Cafe was planning a new building in Dodge Center, MN at the intersection of US Hwy 14 and Capitol Hwy 56. They wanted a sign package led by something bright and eye-catching, something highly visible from their highway exit. Schad Tracy Signs (Burnsville, MN) Project Manager Nick Nelson and Designer Taylor Dekker started with the client on design input. “They collaborated using local projects, images online and our galleries on YouTube,” says Schad Tracy President Jeff Schuppe. An existing customer had referred the shop to this new client.

However, the design and name of the café changed throughout the two-year process. As the project evolved considerably, the client continued to provide significant input. Finally, they settled on one massive pylon, a monument sign, wall cabinet, custom-printed original interior menu boards and vinyl signage. The Schad Tracy team continued to meet with the café regarding colors as they would impact the construction of the interior signs. “We had an eye on how we could utilize the exterior signage to incorporate elements that we could use for the menu boards, historical flat-panel photo, and their overall aesthetic with paint colors, fixtures, furniture, etc.” Schuppe says.

Next, up stepped the shop’s fabrication team: Cody Gjemse, Mason Sanders, Clint Smith, Dennis Hedberg, Dylan Wood and Mackenzie Jones. Using their Xometry ABS Router, Computerized Cutters Accu-Bend Channel Letter Bender, Miller Welders and Milwaukee hand tools, they fabricated an 8 x 6-ft. channel logo coffee cup for the pylon to cap off a powerful highway presentation. “We also had to build the double-faced cabinet with a wider extrusion to accommodate the size, weight and interior structure for the wind load and the pole,” Schuppe says.

The monument sign and wall cabinet are a very similar build to the pylon, but with single-face push-through cabinets, and the monument being a little larger. Principal Sloan Qwik Mod Series modules and more than 500 antique bulbs illuminate the signs.

The location required a special road to be built to handle the installation equipment.

The new location did not provide easy access for installers Andy Senst, Luke Predmore and Alex Braun. “We had to coordinate with the client to ensure a road was built to handle the weight of our boom truck to install the cube footing, pole and pylon sign at the edge of their property by the exit ramp,” Schuppe says. “As usual we also had to coordinate with the subcontractors for timing to ensure completion before deadlines and grand opening.” Schad Tracy used their Elliott 85-ft. boom truck and 100-ft. crane to lift everyone and everything into place.

Throughout the process, the company relied on SquareCoil sign management software. “All of our projects utilize SquareCoil. From the beginning project description to the post-install follow-up, every project is documented within the software,” Schuppe says. “All documents, labor and material tracking, designs, estimates, invoices, notes, internal communications and photos reside within the same work order number inside SquareCoil.” The total sign package sold for $110,000.

“The funny part about this project is that it started as a basic circle-shaped cabinet with a message center then evolved to what you see today,” Schuppe says with the benefit of perspective. “It was almost like doing a complete rebrand without revealing the original.”

PHOTO GALLERY (4 IMAGES)