Local Design Firm Behind Exit 4 Food Hall Branding

The team at Hudson Valley Graphic Design, an award winning design and marketing agency based in Croton-On-Hudson, was the creative force behind the brand for the first ever Food Hall restaurant to open its doors in Westchester County. Exit 4 Food Hall, which opened for business last week in Mt. Kisco, brings food offerings from diverse cultures together with nine stations for customers to choose from. After many months of inspirational brainstorming sessions designers Janeen and Joe Violante captured the look and feel of what Exit 4 stands for and has helped to bring the restaurant owners vision of local and fresh to fruition.

Early in 2014, owner Isi Albanese approached Hudson Valley Graphic Design to help him re-brand Bellizzi, his popular Italian restaurant and pizzeria that was well loved in the community for almost 20 years. Albanese, who established himself as an active and trust worthy businessman in Mount Kisco wanted to not only to provide local and fresh exceptional food, but to create an authentic and casual eating experience. Inspired by communal, but high end eateries like Mario Batali’s Eataly in New York City, Albanese desired to bring that food experience to Mount Kisco. Several different names for the venue were contemplated but playing off the local exit from the Saw Mill Parkway the hip and catchy name EXIT 4 was born.

After the complete design development, HVGD presented Albanese and Jeff Friedlaender, a wide range of concepts to choose from that included logos, storefront signage, menu covers and business cards. The logo motif has a very authentic appeal, with bold letterforms that are rugged and hand-cut and the numeral 4 is emphasized for impact, becoming a strong icon for brand recognition. The letterforms pop-out in white from a black background as if they were hand-written on a chalkboard and are encompassed by a thick wooden border, with a healthy green underscore. The warm, welcoming and authentic graphics are further capitalized on chalkboard, wood, and craft paper. This branded look & feel wood manifests itself throughout the entire interior of the EXIT 4 eating experience with seats, tables, walls, and floors crafted from rugged wood, wrought iron, and tile. Communication of food offerings are hand-written on the chalkboard menus that guests easily order from at different food stations. “The team at Hudson Valley Graphic Design was really able to capture our vision and passion for Exit 4 and bring everything together to create our new brand,” said Albanese. “We are excited to see everything in place now and are very proud of the finished designs they created for us.”

Hudson Valley Graphic Design has been offering smart design solutions and brand consultation to businesses for over three decades. With a team of talented designers, marketing experts and production technicians they specialize in logos, websites, brochures, product packaging and social media implementation. Connect with them on social media or check out their website at www.hudsonvalleygraphics.com and to set up a free brand consultation by contacting Hudson Valley Graphic Design at (914) 582-9353.