By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

Photo by Rachel Ravina
Photographer Alyssa Maloof presents her proposal for a sign for her photography shop on 4 S. Main St. in downtown Berlin during a historic district commission meeting last Wednesday evening.

(July 4, 2019) Berlin’s Historic District Commission approved sign requests from several area businesses at its meeting last Wednesday.

• Photography studio

The members of Berlin’s Historic Commission approved a sign for a photography studio at the intersection of Main and Jefferson streets.

Alyssa Maloof, owner of Alyssa Maloof Photography, said her studio on 4 S. Main St. in downtown Berlin would be used for photo shoots by appointment.

Commission member Mary Moore praised Maloof on her “elegant, simplistic signage” choice.

Vice Chairman Robert Poli, DMD, moved to approve Maloof’s sign for her business, which Moore seconded. The vote was unanimous.

“We love to see young people in our old buildings,” Moore said.

• Pet supply signs

The commission approved a sign for a pet supply store on Main Street.

“If anyone has not been in Jamie’s store it’s beautiful,” Chairwoman Carol Rose said.

Jamie Idzi, owner of Yuppy Puppy on 3 S. Main St. in Berlin, proposed adding signs to the front and rear of the building.

However, her request for a sign behind the building was not fully approved, as Rose told Idzi the neither the commission nor the property owner wanted a sign in the rear of the property.

“Well then, I guess that’s the answer,” Idzi replied.

Commission members offered several suggestions including hanging a rod iron sign in the garden.

However, in an effort to “make it right for [Idzi],” Moore said, members agreed to have her redesign the back sign design and send it to Planning Director Dave Engelhart for the commission to review.

Poli moved to approve the front sign, which Moore seconded. Poli also moved to further review the rear sign, which member Norman Bunting seconded. Both motions were unanimous.

“Again, your store’s beautiful and we’re glad to have you in town,” Rose said.

• Antique store signs

Members of the town’s Historic District Commission approved requests for new signs for downtown antique shops.

Uptown Antiques on 13 N. Main St. in Berlin and Pitts Street Antiques on 11 Pitts St. in Berlin were up for discussion.

Owner Bill Allen said he’s changing the names of two of his stores in an effort to drum up business: Pitts Street Treasures and Uptown Emporium.

“Antiques [are] not making as much money as they used to,” Allen said.

While Rose praised the new sign’s aesthetics, she reprimanded Allen for hanging the signs without first going before the commission.

“But you forgot us again,” she said.

Bunting agreed.

“It’s very well done, just come to us first,” Bunting said.

Allen acknowledged the error and said “mom already yelled at me.”

Poli moved to approve the Pitts Street sign, and Bunting seconded. Bunting also moved to approve the uptown sign, and Poli seconded. Both votes were unanimous.

“William, from one son to another, you got it from your mother, you got reprimanded by Carol, you don’t need to hear anything from me,” Poli said. “[The] signs are fine.”