'Signs' of New Life at Vacant Post Office Location

It was just a few months ago that Falls’ pair of post offices were consolidated into one location on Appleton Avenue. However, “signs” of life are showing inside the vacated postal facility off of St. Francis Drive.

For eight years, Fastsigns has operated from its location inside the retail building that fronts the shopping center along Appleton Avenue and St. Francis Drive. In April or May, Fastigns plans to move into the renovated, vacant post office building just across the parking lot.

“Business has been good, and we are excited to have a bigger facility. Our staff has grown such that we are kind of on top of each other here,” said Fastsigns owner Patrick Yates.

Fastsigns designs and installs custom signs, banners, decals, trade show graphics and vehicle advertising. Yates is one of 530 Fastsigns franchises owners around the world.

The move will triple Fastsigns square footage, and they’ll also now have loading bay for on-site vehicle sign installations. Yates employs seven other full-time employees and hopes to add more in the next few years.

Shopping center owner Howard Farrell said he’s invested more than $170,000 to improve the entire shopping center. He’s repaved the parking lot, revamped the heating and cooling utilities, and installed aesthetic improvements to his buildings. There are several vacancies yet in the center, but he may have news on potential tenants within a month.