New owners seeking supervisors’ support for additional sign area
By Kelli Siehl, Staff Writer, The Times
The new owners of the Brandywine Ace Hardware, Pet & Farm are seeking support from the Pocopson Board of Supervisors to expand the amount of signage on their newly renovated building, as they prepare for a May 18 grand opening.
POCOPSON — A sign acts as an introduction and handshake to passerby – on the job 24/7. Some say signs are the most effective, least expensive, form of advertising for a business.
With this in mind, and a Grand Opening looming for May 18, Brandywine Ace Hardware Pet & Farm’s new owners attended a recent township Board of Supervisors’ meeting to outline plans for the company’s future signage.
Several members of the Drennen family, who purchased the property last spring, along with their attorney, told supervisors that renovations are moving forward and, despite plans to remove several existing signs from the property, they would like to add an additional 22 square feet to the current 308 square feet of signage.
Most of the increase comes from the proposal of two large, 63 foot signs to be placed on newly constructed canopies – one facing Rt 926 and the other facing Pocopson Road. The owners asked for the Board’s recommendation to the Township Zoning Hearing Board because they are seeking relief from current township ordinance requirements.
Supervisors told the owners they have no problem recommending some of the signs but asked that two of the existing signs be changed or removed. Supervisors’ Vice-Chair, Georgia Brutscher asked that the “tacky” yellow Specials sign along route 926 be renovated or incorporated in the existing pole sign. Also, officials recommended that the freestanding, STIHL sign in front of the former Brandywine Power Equipment building be relocated since those products are now being sold and serviced through the main store.
Supervisors’ Chair, Steve Conary told the Drennens that it is “unlikely a decision would be made before the May 18 date and it’s unlikely any decision would interfere with the grand opening.”
He said the Drennens should “take some time to figure out what your options are,” and return to a subsequent meeting of the Board.
Supervisors approved temporary grand opening banners, with provisions, until the issues are resolved.
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Supervisors accepted a bid by Tom DiOttavio and Company for $10, 450 to replace 4 historic windows at the Barnard House. Conary said replacement of 4 front windows will include replacing supports and sashes and offer an idea of the extent of work needed for other parts of the historic structure.
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Officials expressed their sadness at the passing of Mary Dugan. Brutscher said Dugan was “a great supporter, advocate and a wonderful person who will be greatly missed.” Dugan, a former teacher at CF Patton Middle School, was a founding member and President of the Kennett Underground Railroad, which will find a permanent home at the Barnard House when renovations are complete. Dugan was recently inducted as a member of Unionville High School’s Wall of Honor.
