By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

Last week, the Berlin Historic District Commission approved a slew of additions and storefront adjustments for a few businesses in town.

Kelly Dean of Sylvie Rose LLC, a flower shop at 17 Jefferson Street in Berlin, came before the commission at its Wednesday, July 2 meeting. She asked the historic district group to approve her request to add a vinyl decal to an existing sign structure on the roof of her business.

The new addition will display, in vinyl lettering, the company’s name, “Sylvie Rose,” with “floral designs” underneath. The decal will be placed on the surface of a sign structure currently attached to the building.

According to Dean, the existing sign attachment is a 108 inches wide by 48 inches tall wooden frame with a flat metal surface, which will remain as is. The lettering will be added to the structure and will occupy the entire interior space of the frame. Dean said that the decal will be professionally designed and printed by the Queen Anne-based company, Sign Connection. The logo will be safe for outdoor use and can be easily removed from the frame and replaced as needed.

Currently, lights are hanging over the frame. These fixtures will remain, Dean said.

Berlin’s Historic District Commission unanimously approved the floral shop’s signage request.

Kevin and Brianne Chmielewski also appeared before the commission to request adjustments to the storefront of their snowball stand, On Thin Ice, a new Berlin business that opened this summer.

The pair sought the group’s approval to place a sign with the stand’s logo to the building’s brick, above the old bank teller window. On Thin Ice owner Kevin Chmielewski said that the attachment will resemble synthetic wood and will be 18 inches high by 48 inches wide.

Additionally, the Chmielewskis requested permission to attach a menu sign to the building’s old deposit box, holders for an American and Maryland flag, which will likely be made of stainless steel, and an 18×18 window cling with the company’s logo to the structure’s glass side door.

Berlin staff said that they will have to measure the size of the glass door to make sure the 18×18 window cling is an appropriate amount of signage for the area.

The historic commission approved the On Thin Ice owners’ requests, with the stipulation that the cling’s measurements pertaining to the side door’s size meet the town’s code, to be determined upon further research.

A structure at 13-15 South Main Street, owned by long-time local businessman Billy Esham, was also approved for modifications at the historic district commission’s July 2 meeting. The facility, a former warehouse, has been converted into a small furniture market.

As such, a green sign with white letters, reading “Berlin Furniture Market,” will be placed on the building’s front. According to the district’s meeting agenda, the attachment will be made of medium density overlay plywood.

The furniture sign request was approved unanimously by the commission.