Design board approves Bridal Takuria sign and awning for 249 Church

The Amherst Historical Downtown Design Review Board on May 21 approved an application from Jocelyn Torres Suarez, representing Bridal Takuria, for a new sign, an awning and new paint at 249 Church.

Jocelyn Torres Suarez said she "took into consideration what we talked about at the last meeting, and I've made some adjustments," noting she consolidated the color palette to a single, subtler historic tone and simplified paneling to display only the shop logo on the front. A committee member advised that internal illumination for the side sign would be costly and said "it's probably not needed if you're backlighting it," recommending that the applicant match the awning and paint colors to maintain harmony in the historic district.

Board members discussed specific design details, including matching fabric to paint with a Sherwin Williams color match and adding a black outline or black stitching along the awning edge to make the emblem stand out. The applicant told the board she had given the awning vendor measurements but did not have exact dimensions ready at the meeting and provided a rough estimate of about "4 by 8" feet for the side sign. The Chair moved to approve the application as submitted; the motion was seconded and the board recorded ayes, after which the Chair congratulated the applicant.

Suarez said the team is "thinking mid June" for a grand opening. Board members reminded the applicant that the city sign permit will require exact sign dimensions and encouraged her to provide scale drawings when applying for the permit.

The decision grants design approval for the new exterior treatments; the applicant will pursue the city signage permit and finalize dimensions with contractors.