New Signs, Old Soul
A Sustainable Store Refresh
I’m currently in the middle of a “spring cleaning” and shop revamp. It feels so good to clear out the winter layers, move some older treasures to new homes, and make room for fresh spring arrivals!
As part of this refresh, I’ve been looking for a way to elevate my signage. For a long time, I’ve used pages from vintage books that were too damaged to sell. I’ve always loved the look, though it did lead to some funny interactions—most customers loved the aesthetic, but I’d occasionally get a concerned comment that I had “ruined” a book! (I promise, they were already well beyond saving).
While book pages are easy to tape to a bin or fold into a cardboard tent, they aren’t very durable. After remaking the same signs over and over due to price changes or wear and tear, I knew it was time for an upgrade.
The Find: George & Willy
I’m not even sure how I first stumbled upon George & Willy, but I fell in love with their clean, professional aesthetic. They offer small, tabletop metal signs that make it incredibly easy to swap out info for changing events, new inventory, or seasonal sales.
Putting Signage to work in the store
In the spirit of resourcefulness, I’ve been using pages from damaged vintage books as shop signs. It always sparks a funny debate: most people love the look, while a few worry I’m “ruining” books! In reality, I’m just giving unsellable pages one last chapter. The photo below shows an example of my old signage.
But as the shop grows, paper signs have their limits. They get tattered easily, and every price change meant remaking them from scratch. I needed a solution that was more durable but still held onto that storied, soulful character.
Metal Signs
These new metal signs come with small magnets to hold your inserts, which you can either print or hand-write. They’re even double-sided! I’ve stuck with my vintage book pages for the “paper” because:
Free: I’m using books I already have on hand.
Recycled: It’s a great way to repurpose a resource.
Mistake-friendly: If I mess up, it’s so easy to redo.
Quick: It allows me to change out signs in a flash as inventory moves.
Time-saving: My printer struggles with heavy cardstock, so this is a much smoother process!
Tall Magnet Signs
These come with a generous set of magnetic letters for customizing your message—it’s the perfect “slow day” shop activity! I did find that the letters can slide around as customers move the signs to reach merchandise. I certainly didn’t want a $12 treasure to suddenly look like a $1 steal because a “2” went missing!
Pro-Tip: Once you’ve set your sign, place a strip of clear packing tape over the letters and trim the edges. It keeps everything secure and perfectly in place.
Business-Card Display Holders
These are wonderful for adding signage to crowded shelves. Each set comes with 100 blank cards, making it easy to hand-write prices or print custom designs. They are also perfect for holding business cards at your booth or checkout. I’m even planning to use mine as place cards for our next event—a farm-to-table dinner party right here in the store!
The Verdict
These signs are an investment, but they truly scream professional. They are multipurpose, built to last for years, and they bring a cohesive look to the store while still letting that “Roots & Roost” personality shine through.
Come by the shop soon to see the new look (and the new spring finds!) in person.
