Plan Philly: Citywide Storefront Challenge Calls for Nominations

Philadelphia Suzuki Piano Academy before their storefront was restored. Photo credit: Community Design Collaborative

Nominations for the 2012 Citywide Storefront Challenge are being accepted until Sept. 14. This competition, hosted by The City of Philadelphia Commerce Department and the Community Design Collaborative, rewards businesses that have given their storefronts a much needed facelift. Customers, neighbors, designers, contractors, and business owners can nominate deserving businesses that have completed their improvement projects since October 2010.

Business owners all over Philadelphia are giving their front doors a new coat of paint, replacing their aging awnings, and uncovering historic details. These decorative improvements are bringing in new customers and boosting business. As the Community Design Collaborative said, this is “an awards event that celebrates the connection between good design and good business.”

Winners will be chosen on Oct. 10, from 4-6 p.m. at the Center for Architecture, 1218 Arch St. Awards will be given in many different categories including, “Honor the Past,” for best historical restoration, “Green with Envy,” for the best example of sustainable design and construction and “Corridor Catalyst,” for the best motivator to other local businesses.  This event is part of DesignPhiladelphia 2012, a city-wide celebration of design.

Philadelphia Suzuki Piano Academy was the winner of the Complete Package Award in the 2011 Citywide Storefront Competition. Photo credit: Community Design Collaborative

“Good design is good business,” said Karen Fegley, director of Commerce’s Office of Neighborhood Economic Development. “We’re looking forward to showcasing some of Philadelphia’s outstanding façade improvement projects and telling the story of how they’re contributing to the appeal and economic performance of commercial corridors.”

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