This is one of the things we admire most about the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC): they are always finding a new way to show up for their members. When Lincoln Avenue was suddenly closed to traffic last week — barricades up, cars rerouted, no advance warning — the Chamber didn’t wait to see how it would shake out. They saw a corridor of member businesses about to look closed when they weren’t. So they did something.
They called me with a simple ask: a sign they could print and post immediately, using the sidewalk sign frames they already owned, telling the neighborhood that despite road construction, the shops were open for business. No new hardware, no long approval chain — just a clear message, fast.
FTW: A strong brand
The sign itself is simple: the Chamber’s brand colors and graphics, their logo, a direct message — “Businesses Are Open, While Construction Is Underway. Stop In, Shop Local.” Nothing elaborate here, and that’s exactly why it worked. Because the Chamber’s colors, logo, and tone were already well established, there was no time lost debating what “on brand” should look like under pressure. Anyone who has seen a Chamber banner, event sign, or newsletter, recognized this signage instantly as coming from a trusted, organized source. And that does a lot more than a print out taped to a window.
That’s the case for investing in a strong identity system before you need it: it’s what lets you move fast without looking rushed when something unplanned happens.
About This Brand
This signage carries the identity Andiamo has built with LPCC over 10+ years — logo, palette, graphic motifs, and signage standards.
A few other things worth noting:
The medium fit the moment. A banner or mailer would have taken too long and wouldn’t have reached anyone deciding whether to walk down a torn-up block. A sandwich board at the corner did.
Reusing existing sign frames kept it fast and cheap. No procurement delay, no added material cost for something only needed short-term.
Foot traffic drops the moment a street looks inaccessible, whether or not the businesses on it are open. A fast, visible signal like this one directly protects revenue for everyone on the block — exactly the kind of value this stellar chamber prioritizes for its members.
If you run a business in the Lincoln Park neighborhood in Chicago, this chamber is worth a look — visit the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce to see what membership includes.
Need something fast, too?
Not every project needs to be a big production. Sometimes the best work is the fastest work, and the groundwork that makes that possible is laid long before the sign ever needs to go up.
Got a deliverable that can’t wait? That’s exactly what our Andiamo Intensive is for — one focused day (or half-day) with a senior designer, finished work by end of session. Reach out and let’s find a day.
