From $19.9
Rewind Vintage occupies a classic Brooklyn building on Greenpoint’s Manhattan Avenue, surrounded by artists’ studios, coffee shops, and vintage galleries. The store needed signage that felt authentically retro — not a reproduction, but a sign that could have been there since the 1970s.
Project Background
Greenpoint has become a destination for vintage shopping, with Rewind Vintage competing against a dozen similar stores within walking distance. The owners wanted a sign that would stop passersby and communicate the authentic vintage experience inside. They specifically requested a real neon sign — no LED imitations.
Design Concept & Branding
A warm pink glass neon tube sign was the centerpiece of the design, fabricated by a master glass bender who learned the craft in Times Square’s golden era. The neon sits above the entrance on a painted teal trim band that frames the door. The warm pink glow is visible from blocks away but feels inviting rather than aggressive.
A secondary blade sign extends from the building on the side facing the main pedestrian flow, featuring the store name in retro typography on painted metal. The window graphics use a distressed paint effect that looks appropriately aged.
Material Selection & Fabrication
The neon sign uses traditional glass tubing with a pink phosphor coating and argon gas fill — the same technique used in classic diner and theater signage. The blade sign is fabricated from powder-coated steel with hand-painted lettering. The brick facade was cleaned but left unpainted, maintaining the raw industrial aesthetic that Greenpoint is known for.
Installation Process
Neon installation requires specialized handling due to the fragility of the glass tubes. The sign was prefabricated in our workshop, then carefully transported and mounted using vibration-dampening brackets. The blade sign installation required a structural engineer’s approval due to the building’s age.
Results & Impact
The neon sign has become an Instagram favorite, frequently appearing in photos tagged with #Greenpoint and #VintageNYC. The owner reported that customers often mention seeing the neon glow from the subway station and following it to the store. The authentic neon has given Rewind Vintage a competitive edge in the neighborhood’s saturated vintage market.
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