Newsmaker Q&A: Downtown Loveland gets sign of support

When Schlosser Signs Inc., a 14-year-old Loveland-based company, landed a $1.5 million contract with the Denver Tech Center, expanding its facility went from pipe dream to necessity. The signage company has since secured a new space in downtown Loveland, with a $15,000 incentive from the city. We spoke with owner Carla Schlosser to find out what she’ll do with the new space and why she believes in downtown Loveland.

Question: Tell me about your contract with the Denver Tech Center. How did you get it and what does it entail?

Answer: This contract began mid-2011 and was awarded to Schlosser Signs again in 2012 and 2013 as part of the overall updating to the Inverness Metropolitan Business District. Due to growth in our company, we required additional space to continue to produce the signage needed to fulfill the contract with Inverness. Basically, the tenants sign up for their new signage, provide us artwork, and then we get to work on creating the design, acquiring the necessary permits, and put the order into production. When finished, we complete the order with the removal of the old signage and replace it with the installation of the new signage. The folks there are great to work with.

Q: What are your plans for the new space?

A: We will be housing the light manufacturing process in the new facility located at 418 E. Third St. in Loveland. We will run all our routing work through this facility and also build our channel letters using our automated channel-letter machine. In addition to this, we will cut and apply vinyl, cut patterns and set up files for the routers and letter machine. To accomplish this we will transport materials to and from this facility. We will relocate several of our experienced fabricators to this location as well as adding several additional employees.

Q: What will the relocation of Schlosser Signs bring to the culture of downtown?

A: We believe it will impact the downtown positively by adding employees who will drive to, work in, eat at, and enjoy the many experiences downtown has to offer. These people will be new faces who will tell their friends to come check out what downtown Loveland has to offer. There will be opportunities for us to introduce clients and suppliers to our facility and also take them to lunch at the local restaurants. We want to help get the word out.

Q: You’ve said you have a passion for downtown Loveland. What is it that draws you to this city?

A:  I have lived in Loveland since 1985 and raised my four children here. Going way back, we used to ride bicycles downtown and enjoy ice cream at the corner of Fifth Street and North Garfield Avenue. At that time Loveland was a sleepy downtown. Over the past decade we’ve watched closely as the Vision Book was released. New businesses came into the downtown area, some successful and some not. It got a hold of us, my son and partner, Alex, at Schlosser Signs, and we were determined to help see it succeed. We respect what a small business has to do to get off the ground and remain strong.

Our company started in our garage back in 1999! It’s the most rewarding experience to continue to grow, and we know that without businesses working together to support one another the downtown area will take a long time to attract more businesses and residents. I’ve been serving on the board of the Downtown Loveland Association for four years in an effort to better understand the obstacles and the solutions to creating a downtown that is sustainable and attractive to both.

Q:Why is Schlosser’s expansion a worthy use of $15,000 in city funds?

A: Schlosser purchased its current facility in Loveland in 2009 without incentives. The downtown has some prime property but the existing buildings often are in need of serious updating. The incentive from the city allowed us to add updated electrical to the building, which will make it possible for the equipment used in manufacturing to be located there. The unexpected cost would have impacted our budget to be able to add the staff and equipment at the time it is needed – now. We believe the city is on board to see new development but also understands the issues of buildings and property in need of updating. We are very appreciative of the city’s support at this time.

– Maggie Shafer

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