Spring is upon us! This season brings longer days, warmer temperatures, rain, flowers, and for many, an opportunity to spruce up the front of your business. If you have a brickand-mortar business, having a nice appearance is important for both the success of your business and, if you are located near others, the look and feel of the whole downtown.

As you begin your spring cleaning, consider some of these ways to have a friendly storefront:
• Cleanliness: Keeping things clean can be the easiest, yet most impactful way to improve your storefront. Clean the windows and doors, sweep the entryway, remove cobwebs, and clean any dirt from window sills.
• In Good Repair: Things get worn over time. Give your door a fresh coat of paint, replace a broken door knob, repair a hole in an awning, or maybe stain the wood around your doorway.
• Lighting: Having a well-lit entrance is essential. Add good lighting to your signage, doorway, and windows, and consider leaving it on even when your establishment is not open.
• Signage: Help people know what you sell by simply looking at your storefront. Have clear, simple, proportionally sized signage; display your hours of operation; and make sure your “open” sign is on at accurate times.
• Decor & Ambiance: The feel of your business can set the tone for your customers’ experience. Whether it’s a welcome mat, music, good smells, plants, or seating, try to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Thank you to the Oil City Main Street Program for these friendly storefront ideas! Find their flyer and more details at venangochamber.org/ friendly-storefronts.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s April 2022 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.