Skip to main content

City Centre gets new sign — But what about the old one?

By Philip Anselmo

It's up! The sign that caused quite a stir over the summer has been installed out front of the Batavia City Centre. Isn't it pretty—and it only cost us... what was it... oh, right around $20,000. (Personally, I say for $20,000, we should have bought a hatchback, mounted a megaphone to the roof, and hired a driver to circle the city continuously intoning: 'Come to the mall. Come to the mall. Please.' But the sign is nice, too.)

That big, blank, white face just begs the question: What should be the first message? This sign is supposed to boost business for the shops inside the mall. So what message would get you inside the mall to spend your hard-earned cash?

While we're on the topic of mall signs... Has anyone caught a glimpse of the old sign lately? That's somewhat of a trick question, because if you're heading east on Main Street, you have to see through—or around—the tree that all but blocks the view of the sign from that direction. No matter. Even if you saw that side of the sign, it wouldn't make much sense. Intended to advertise the movies now showing at the cinema in the mall, it currently reads: 'BET' for the first film and 'ARLE' for the second. Any guesses?

So what is the mall telling people with these two signs? The new one seems to say: 'Hey, come buy our stuff. We're fresh and lively, and we believe in the majesty of British orthography.' But the old one tells us: 'We're rusting. Honest to God: we're rusting.'

I mean, come on: 'BET' and 'ARLE'. Well, at least when spring comes, the leaves will blot out the reference to the Genesee Country Mall.

Philip Anselmo

Centre = The British spelling of the word 'center' that is bestowed upon American shopping plazas to make them seem more majestic, more refined, as if you're not just going there to buy foot powder and pork rinds.

Jan 7, 2009, 1:08pm Permalink
Richard Gahagan

I moving back home see ya tomorrow at Kelly's, y'all got a new sign and there aint no dang gum centres to shop at down in these here parts.

Jan 7, 2009, 1:47pm Permalink
Adam Lowder

Lol… Hilarious Kelly, “Bet Arle”. If I had a pony, I would name her Arle and she would be racing ASAP! Oh yeah, and the new sign looks great. Keep up the improving Batavia!

Jan 7, 2009, 3:40pm Permalink
lazario Ladou

Centre = The British spelling of the word 'center' that is bestowed upon American shopping plazas to make them seem more majestic

....Breathe.........L...LO..HAHAAHA

Jan 7, 2009, 10:08pm Permalink
lazario Ladou

I wouldn't pay 20K for it. For $20,000 it should have a light or two or twinkle or strobe or something swizeet. Does that medallion light up? Looks like recycled plastic -recycled plastic not being the problem-
Such a beautiful design.

Welcome To Generica/Make Believe Land
R.I.P.
Absolutely Making It Work

my choice for first message

NO U TURNS

At least it can always be melted down

Jan 7, 2009, 10:22pm Permalink
John Roach

Laz,
You didn't get back. Did you call the Town of Batavia about that 40 year old study you worried so much about?

Do you, in principle, favor consolidation, yes or no?

Jan 8, 2009, 5:28am Permalink
Steve Ognibene

I believe they should have spent the money on helping a local business in the city who are struggling to make it. Or possibly put the money into fixing or adding new signs entering the city limits. The city centre probably already have a welcome sign upon entering the building on a metal board with black or white lettering, if not that would have been enough. Unless they plan to use it to hold more events inside the mall and would utilize it for that, but i do not see that happening.

Jan 8, 2009, 9:22am Permalink
Adam Lowder

I know for a fact - from a reliable source - that this sign did not cost $20K, in fact, it wasn't anywhere near that much. $20K was the amount budgeted by the city. The only plastic (plexi-glass) in the sign are the faces, which need to be plastic because they are illuminated. The entire structure is made of fabricated metal.

Jan 8, 2009, 12:04pm Permalink
JT Hunt

they should let random citizens post issues for council. they could light the sign at night so council could look out the window and then address the issues publicly.

Jan 8, 2009, 12:20pm Permalink
Jason Ivison

I think I know the answer to the "BET" "ARLY" dilemma.

I think BET somehow translates to Adam Sandlers Bedtime Stories, and ARLY translates to Marley and Me. They really need more letters, its sad.

Jan 10, 2009, 12:07pm Permalink

Authentically Local