Uniform Signs Coming to Newbury Street

Be gone, sandwich boards.

The Newbury Street League is working with the city to adopt a standardized sign policy for the high-end shopping artery.

Businesses will be able to create and move custom-designed signs inside a uniform concrete base that will be permanently installed outside store fronts. With one sign per building, tenants will work together to determine how to best utilize the two-sided display.

Current Sandwich Boards Are Illegal

The policy is meant to replace the plethora of sandwich boards , particularly during the summer and on weekends.

Because the sandwich boards are undefined by current zoning, they're technically not allowed. 

"I think we need to stress to people that what they have is illegal, and is eventually going to go away," said Michele Messino, executive director of the . 

With the understanding that signs are necessary, especially for businesses that aren't on the ground level, last month she presented an "aesthetic alternate" to the Back Bay Architectural Commission.

The Details

Working with David Burton of db2/ARCHitecture, the free standing signs would consist of a concrete base and frame with a 24"x36" display. Mounted signs, ideal for menus or smaller notices, would be 24"x13."

The Newbury Street League would work with businesses and landlords to purchase the bases, and determine their placement outside the stores.

"We tried to consider the cost and durability," said Messino. The base hasn't been chosen yet, and the details of the sign ordinance are still being worked out.

Different sections of Newbury would lend themselves to different sizes and positioning, so she hopes to install a few test signs along the street and generate feedback from businesses. 

It will likely launch in the spring.