Storefront
A storefront or shopfront is the facade or entryway of a retail store located on the ground floor or street level of a commercial building, typically including one or more display windows. A storefront functions to attract visual attention to a business and its merchandise.[1]
History
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Before the middle of the 19th century, storefronts did not have large display windows, but often included features such as awnings and bay windows to attract the attention of passersby.[citation needed] Modern storefronts with display windows developed at mid-century after architectural cast iron became widely available and glass manufacturers began producing large panes of glass at relatively low cost.[2]
In the United States, storefronts with large windows become available after 1883, when the Pittsburgh Plate Glass company started to produce plate glass.[3] Also architects started to experiment with iron columns and lintels at the ground floor level.The combination of these two achievements led to the storefront as we know it today.[2] By the 1920s, storefront plans with deep display windows, known as the “arcaded” front, had become popular.[4]
Storefront designs
[edit]The storefronts of commercial buildings are often substantially altered even when other architectural elements remain intact. Such alterations can adversely affect a historic building's architectural and historic character.[2] Storefronts can also have an area in front of the unit called a "pop-out zone", which is about 500-1000 mm deep.[5] Storefronts often use channel letters.[6]
Other uses
[edit]E-commerce websites are sometimes called "online storefronts" or "virtual storefronts".[7][8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "Sign and Facade Guidelines" (PDF). City of Somerville, Massachusetts. 2008.
- 1 2 3 Jandl, H. Ward (1982). "Rehabilitating Historic Storefronts". National Park Service. Archived from the original on 19 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ Bock, Gordon (1988). "Glass Notes". The Old-House Journal (August): 38. Retrieved 1 August 2021 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Jackson, Mike (2014). "Main Street meets Mid-Century Design" (PDF). MainStreetNow (Summer): 10. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ Mesher, Lynne (2017). Basics Interior Design 01: Retail Design. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 9781350034495 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Davies, Helen (20 April 2021). "Full Look Into Your Storefront Sign Cost: 6 Main Points". frontsigns.com. Retrieved 7 August 2021.
- ↑ Lynch, C.G. (18 May 2008). "Most Virtual Storefronts Fail". PC World.
- ↑ Raymond, Scott (2 March 2011). "Virtual storefronts vs. brick-and-mortar". ZDnet.
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