Troy approves painted storefront signage for Yesfolk kombucha and cidery

Owner Adam Alabd told the board he would paint the business name and a small logo on the building’s cinder-block surface rather than installing a protruding sign. "We're a kombucha brewery," Alabd said, adding that the tasting room is open on weekends and the adjacent yard provides seasonal seating and winter parking.

Board members reviewed mockups and noted the city’s sign rules are typically written for protruding signs; staff and members agreed painted identification that includes the business name may nevertheless be treated as signage, so the applicant submitted the matter to the Board of Zoning Appeals for relief. Members asked about materials, placement and whether the image constituted a mural or a sign. Alabd said the painted front-face identification would be unobtrusive and consistent with the building’s rehabilitation.

After discussion, the board characterized the matter as an unlisted environmental action (or type 2 SEQR matter as clarified by staff) and voted to approve the painted signage as presented.