Opening a new businesses in the San Gabriel Valley is a chaotic sprint. You are juggling contractors, hiring staff, stocking inventory, and fighting with the POS system. In the madness, signage often gets forgotten until the very last week.
We see it all the time: A business owner calls us in a panic. “We open on Friday. Can you make a channel letter sign?”
The answer is no. A proper permanent building sign takes 4–8 weeks for permitting, fabrication, and install.
However, you don’t have to open in the dark. If you plan your signage timeline correctly, using a mix of permanent and temporary signs, you can build hype weeks before you even unlock the doors.
Here is the essential R&R Signs Grand Opening Checklist.
6-8 Weeks Out: Order the Permanent Sign (Start Now!)
Goal: Submit for City Permits.
Your main building sign—the Channel Letters or Monument Sign—is a construction project. It requires:
1. A Site Survey.
2. Technical Drawings.
3. Landlord Approval.
4. City of Glendora Planning Permit. (This alone can take 2-4 weeks).
5. Fabrication (2-3 weeks).
6. Installation.
If you wait until 2 weeks before opening, you will not have a sign on your building for your Grand Opening. Start this process the moment you sign your lease.
4 Weeks Out: “Coming Soon” Window Vinyl
Goal: Hype & Privacy.
While your interior is being renovated, your store looks like a construction zone. Drywall dust, ladders, and cardboard boxes are not a good look.
Cover your windows with “Coming Soon” vinyl graphics.
- Full Coverage: Block out the mess entirely with a “Teaser” graphic.
- QR Codes: Include a QR code linking to your email list or social media. “Scan for an Invite to the Launch Party.”
- Hiring: “Now Hiring” text on the windows is the best way to find local staff.
This turns your empty storefront into a 24/7 billboard.
2 Weeks Out: The Grand Opening Banner
Goal: The Shout-Out.
Once you have a firm opening date, order a large vinyl banner.
- Text: “GRAND OPENING – [DATE]”
- Size: go big. 3ft x 8ft or 4ft x 10ft.
- Placement: If your permanent sign isn’t up yet, the banner acts as your temporary ID.
Note on Permits: Most cities, including Glendora, require a Temporary Sign Permit for banners. Usually, you are allowed to hang a banner for 30 consecutive days. Do not just zip-tie it to a fence and forget it; code enforcement will notice. We can help you file the simple over-the-counter permit for this.
1 Week Out: A-Frame (Sidewalk) Signs
Goal: Foot Traffic Capture.
A-Frames (or “Sandwich Boards”) are the tactical infantry of signage. They sit right in the path of pedestrians.
- Use them for: “We Are Open! Come In!”
- Use them for: Menu specials, “Free Coffee,” or directional arrows if your entrance is hard to find.
- Flexibility: You can bring them inside at night.
Check your specific shopping center rules—some property managers restrict A-frames to keep walkways clear.
Launch Day: Feather Flags / Balloons
Goal: Motion.
Human eyes are attracted to movement. If your storefront is static, people drive by.
- Feather Flags: Tall, waving flags (“OPEN”, “SALE”) catch the peripheral vision of drivers.
- Inflatables: Check city codes first, but a temporary inflatable can be a huge draw for the specific day of the event.
The Post-Opening Plan
Once the Grand Opening is over (30 days later), you must take down the temporary banners. This is why having your permanent sign ordered at the 8-week mark was so critical. As the banner comes down, the permanent electrical sign should be turning on.
If you timed it right, you never have a day without branding.
Summary Timeline
- Week -8: Sign Lease. Start design of Permanent Sign. Submit for Permit.
- Week -4: Install “Coming Soon” Window Vinyl.
- Week -2: Order Grand Opening Banners + A-Frames.
- Week -1: Permanent Sign Installation (Ideal scenario).
- Week 0: GRAND OPENING. Hang Banners. Put out A-Frames.
- Week +4: Remove temporary banners.
Don’t Stress. We Handle the Timeline.
At R&R Signs, we know how stressful a launch is. When you hire us for your building sign, we can bundle your custom signs, temporary banners, and window graphics into one package. We time the production so that your “Coming Soon” vinyl hits the glass the moment you get the keys.
Opening a business in Glendora? Contact us today to start your signage countdown.
