The History of a Historical Mural

Many of the retailers that Off The Wall partners with request that we find, produce, and install historical photographs in their stores. This is done for several strategic reasons that blend nostalgia, brand identity, and customer engagement.

ShopRite - Mt.Kisko, NY - by Off The Wall

At the forefront of these reasons is the building of emotional connections with their local clientele. Historical images evoke nostalgia, triggering positive memories and emotions that make customers feel comfortable and connected to a retail space they frequent. Usually placed near entrances and exits, shoppers develop feelings of warmth and familiarity with a store.

ShopRite - Mannix, NY - by Off The Wall

Landis Market is a longtime client of Off The Wall. The store began in 1938 when Frank M. Landis, a Franconia Mennonite Church member, opened a small grocery store on Main Street in Telford, Bucks County. Forty years later, his children expanded it into a supermarket chain that now operates locations throughout the region, including Perkasie, Schwenksville, Vernfield, and Sanatoga.

Landis Supermarket - Perkasie, PA - by Off The Wall

For their latest remodel in Perkasie, PA, Landis requested large historical murals for the soffit atop their customer service kiosk. Our search began at the Perkasie Historical Society

The Vice-President and the Co-Curator of the Perkasie Historical Society (Louise and Rick Doll) look for original pictures Off The Wall might select to process into historical murals for the newly remodeled Landis Supermarket

Photos from decades past also communicate longevity and trustworthiness, a commitment to the community that the retailer has invested in. What's more, when customers see a business has survived multiple generations, they perceive stability and quality. For family-owned retailers especially, historical images reinforce their deep community roots and commitment to customers over time.

Off The Wall begins with a high resolution photograph of the original picture.

Historical photographs invite customers to pause, observe, and mentally engage with the retailer's journey. This storytelling transforms a simple shopping trip into a more meaningful experience, differentiating the store from competitors who offer merely transactional environments.

Once enlarged, Off The Wall uses a VUTEk Printer to create the historical mural for use at the Landis of Perkasie, PA.

Celebrating a community's history resonates particularly well in local markets. Images showing the town's evolution, landmark events, or familiar faces create a sense of shared history between the business and its patrons. Customers might see themselves reflected in these community narratives.

Finished Historical Mural fabricated and installed by Off The Wall for Landis Supermarket of Perkasie.

We should not overlook the aesthetic appeal of historical murals either. Black-and-white historical photographs add visual interest and sophisticated character to entry and exit ways that might otherwise feel sterile or corporate. They provide conversation starters and stimulate memories, making these areas more engaging.

Historical mural - Landis Supermarket - Perkasie, PA - by Off The Wall

Ultimately, historical photographs serve as powerful marketing tools that cost-effectively build brand loyalty while creating memorable, distinctive retail environments that stand apart from impersonal chain stores.