Opening a business is exciting. You've found the right location, worked out your budget, picked your colors, and probably spent more time thinking about furniture than you ever expected.
But there's one thing that deserves a spot near the top of your opening checklist: your signs.
Before customers can fall in love with what you're selling, they need to know you exist. And once they find you, they need to know where to park, which door to use, and whether you're actually open.
The good news? You don't need a massive advertising budget to make a great first impression.
Whether you're opening a restaurant, retail store, salon, auto shop, or neighborhood service business in 2027, here are the signs worth planning for before opening day.
1. Coming Soon Banners: Start Advertising Before You Open
Why wait until opening day to introduce yourself?
If you've already secured your location, you've got an advertising opportunity sitting right in front of you.
A Coming Soon banner lets people know something new is headed to the neighborhood. It's especially useful if your storefront is undergoing renovations or the windows are still covered.
Your banner doesn't need to say much:
COMING SOON!
MILLER'S COFFEE HOUSE
Opening Spring 2027
That's enough to get people curious.
If you've got a website or social media account ready, consider adding a QR code so future customers can follow your progress.
Tip: Put your banner up as soon as your lease and property rules allow. Every person who passes your storefront is a potential future customer.
2. Grand Opening Banners: Give People a Reason to Stop
You've spent months getting everything ready. Now it's time to tell the neighborhood you're open!
A Grand Opening banner is one of the simplest ways to announce your arrival.
Hang one across your storefront, along a fence, or somewhere visible from the road.
Keep the message big and easy to read:
GRAND OPENING!
SATURDAY, MARCH 13
Come Celebrate With Us!
If you're running an opening-week promotion, make that the focus.
For example:
NOW OPEN!
FREE COFFEE WITH ANY BREAKFAST SANDWICH
People passing by may only have a few seconds to read your sign, so make those seconds count.
A vinyl banner is also a practical choice because it can be removed once your grand opening promotion ends.
3. Yard Signs: Introduce Yourself to the Neighborhood
Not every business is located directly along a busy street.
Maybe you're opening inside a shopping center, behind another building, or in a part of town where customers need a little help finding you.
That's where yard signs come in.
Corrugated plastic yard signs are affordable, lightweight, and easy to place in approved grassy areas.
They can help advertise:
- Your grand opening date.
- Opening-week specials.
- Your new business location.
- Hiring opportunities.
- Upcoming events.
For example:
NEW BAKERY OPEN!
FRESH BREAD DAILY
123 MAIN STREET
Or:
NOW HIRING!
JOIN OUR TEAM
APPLY INSIDE
If you're planning a neighborhood-wide opening campaign, ordering several signs with consistent branding can help reinforce your message.
Just make sure you have permission to place signs wherever you plan to use them. Local ordinances and property restrictions may limit temporary signage.
4. Directional Signs: Help Customers Find the Right Entrance
You've convinced someone to visit your business. Don't make them work to find the front door.
This is especially important for businesses located in large shopping centers, office parks, industrial buildings, or properties with multiple entrances.
A few well-placed directional signs can make a big difference.
Think about the questions a first-time visitor might have:
Where do I park?
Which entrance should I use?
Is pickup around back?
Where do deliveries go?
Signs with simple messages such as CUSTOMER PARKING, ENTRANCE, or ORDER PICKUP help people navigate your property without confusion.
Directional signage is particularly useful for restaurants offering takeout, service businesses with appointment check-ins, and shops with separate customer and delivery entrances.
Tip: Before opening, ask someone unfamiliar with your property to visit. Watch where they hesitate or get confused. Those are the places that may need signs.
