Who Designed the Granby Welcome Sign?

Welcome. Granby, CT. Pride of the Valley.

That's the first thing people see on a sign driving into Granby.

Granby resident Jean-Luc Godard may originate from far away – a French native of a small town called Saint Dizier near the German border – but he knows how to make people in Connecticut feel at home through his West Granby sign business, Belmeade Designs.

Godard submitted a bid after the town of Granby sent out a request for proposal in 2008 and was awarded with the job. He said it was an "amazing honor" and a "surprise."

"That was my first large scale project," Godard wrote in an email to Patch. "The sign’s pictures have been used many times from real estate agents to printed onto post cards or on T shirts. It is very flattering! Very few people know we made the signs but that is fine, I love my job and I’m truly not looking for fame."

We asked Godard to tell us about his sign company and here's what he said.

Q&A

Patch: When did your business open? Is it family-run?

Godard: "We opened the business in 2006 and I operate most of the company. I get a little help from my three children and a friend."

Patch: What services do you offer at your company?

Godard: "We custom design and craft signs for homes, farms and businesses. Our signs are mainly wooden (we also make them out of composite material like PVC and HDU) and now ship all over the world."

Patch: Why did you decide to open in Granby and what made you interested in your field?

Godard: "We opened the business in West Granby because of our town of residence. I always loved working with wood and enjoy the creative process in general. I now also make custom furniture and will soon a line of drastically unique high end furniture."

Patch: Do you have a business mantra you live by?

Godard: "Beauty in simplicity."

Patch: Can you tell us about your business background?

Godard: "I’m, by education an electrical engineer and worked for a large corporation for 20 years before I got laid off from the economic down turn in 2009. Already prior to that I was running the business after work and during the weekend. As a matter of fact, I intended to quit in 2009 and be full time at making signs…Thank goodness, I got laid off with a very generous severance package that helped immensely to further the company….I guess it was meant to be and truly don’t regret for one second the 'rat race.' My stress is gone (mostly)."

Patch: Finish the sentence. When I'm not working I'm...

Godard: "Love to work on my vintage MGB roadster, enjoy nature and work around the shop learning new skills."

BUSINESS INFORMATION

Hours: Every day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (except Sunday, Saturday by appointment).
Address: 46 Simsbury Rd., West Granby
Website: www.belmeadesigns.com
Email: sales@belmeadesigns.com