Project stories · Opening a location
A new Charlotte location, unmistakably recharged
Early one morning, with the illuminated green letters standing against the sky, the transformation came into focus. The signs appeared to float above the building.
It was a striking arrival for recharged, a used electric vehicle dealer preparing to open its Charlotte location on busy Independence Boulevard.
The property had previously housed Car By U. Its orange-red exterior and unlit signage belonged to another business. With opening approaching, recharged wanted to move quickly and had a clear vision: paint the building black to complement its green logo.
Charlotte Sign Studio managed the painting process, the main building signage, and the pylon signs, helping bring that vision to the property.
Transforming an unusual building
A large mesh frame wraps around the building, providing a structure for its signage. Repainting it presented a particular challenge.
The mesh had originally been painted before assembly. This time, it needed to be painted in place, inside and out, during the hottest summer months. Paint could pass through the openings, making protection of the nearby cars an essential part of the work.
The finished black frame gave the green recharged lettering a bold backdrop. The customer's vision paid off: the building took on a distinctly different presence.
Announcing the arrival before opening day
recharged also wanted to build awareness before its grand opening, while the permanent signage was being prepared.
CSS added temporary banners to the building's mesh frame and the pylon, giving the location a way to announce its arrival during that transition.
The permanent signs then carried the identity across the building and roadside. Green lettering marked the facade, while the pylon paired the recharged name with a direct message: “Buy & Sell. Drive Electric.”
The moment it came together
For the project team, the memorable view came in the early morning: the signs illuminated, the dark supporting frame receding, and the green letters seemingly suspended in the sky.
It was the result recharged had pictured: a Charlotte location with a look unmistakably its own.