Local business owners Steve and Mary Bunnell create Kort Sign Design

A little more than a year ago, Steve Bunnell was at a crossroads. Having worked as an advertiser for corporate giant Illinois Tool Works Inc. nearly his entire professional career—and with his two sons, Reece and Grant, finished with college and a major expense now out of the way—it was time for a change.Having always longed to tap into the artistic side he’d fostered since his days as an art major at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire—where he and his wife of 27 years, Mary, met—Bunnell dreamed of owning his own business. Dream became reality in March when the couple opened Kort Sign Design in neighboring Golden Valley.“We offer professionally designed signs of all kinds,” Bunnell says. “From A to Z, we do it all—American Disability Act signs, banners, channel letters and so on. We specialize in digital printing, having the latest and greatest latex printer from Hewlett Packard, which we chose for its versatility and ability to print on nearly any fabric. We also loved its ability to be very green and eco-friendly.”The couple moved from New Hope to Plymouth more than two decades ago when it became clear their children were approaching that age “when they were going to be running around a lot,” Bunnell says. Living near busy streets was no longer ideal and the Bunnells chose Plymouth largely for its ability to offer a “country-style” community feel within a few miles of downtown Minneapolis. Moving into the Bridlewood neighborhood, they also fell in love with the bike and path system in Plymouth, as well as the nearby activity provided by French and Baker parks.Through sponsorships of the Twin West gala and The Reach for Resources program (a nonprofit advocacy group for people with disabilities), Kort Sign Design also aims to stay active in their community. 6146 Olson Memorial Highway, Golden Valley; 763.432.7630.