Learn How Somfy-powered Awnings and Screens Are Changing the Game For These Businesses

Dave Voris, Giglio Awnings: We sell exterior shading products and motorization, which now accounts for about 95 percent of our sales. And we're seeing the trend continue, where we're selling multiple products to customers. We're selling six, seven, eight and nine retractable screens and a retractable awning. 

The reason we chose these specific products for this application is that during inclement weather the customers will be kept away from the rain. On the other side is the bar area, at night time they put them down to close the area off. Then obviously during the fall months when it gets windier and more rain, typically in September and October as they stay open, it offers the clients to be behind them during the weather when it's either windy, rainy or cold.

The Local Market & Kitchen, which is located in Ship Bottom, they bought two shelter products. They're great in the rain and great in the wind. They're great for a commercial application because you can cover a larger expanse with just one of them.

Deetie Stahl, Blue Water Cafe Customer: I've been coming to Blue Water since, well since it opened.

Stephen DiPietro, Blue Water Cafe owner: We were actually the first on the island with outside seating, but we soon realized that, you know, outside seating is good but you really need to be covered from the elements.

Chad Gamble, Blue Water Cafe employee:  We're about a hundred yards from the bay, we get storms very frequently and they come on very quickly and it doesn't give us much time to prepare our outside seating. 

Stephen DiPietro, Blue Water Cafe owner:  I can use these motorized drops, I don't have to come out here and fuddle with, you know, a chain or mechanical anything like that.

Chad Gamble, Blue Water Cafe employee: We had these cold plastic barriers for the weather and it was a little dangerous.

Stephen DiPietro, Blue Water Cafe owner:  Well the motorized aspect was great because I used to have mechanical shades inside and I would have to climb over people to try to open them and close them. It wasn't professional; it wasn't good for the customer or for me. 

Chad Gamble, Blue Water Cafe employee: So we're all really happy that with just the click of a button and they're down. 

Dave Voris, Giglio Awnings: In the last several years Somfy has rolled out several new applications and products, like with the myLink where it enables the end user to have a simpler way to use the products.

Stephen DiPietro, Blue Water Cafe owner:  Just hit the button and up it goes or down it goes. Once the storm is over we put it back up and everybody's just very happy.

Deetie Stahl, Blue Water Cafe Customer: The new motorized blinds certainly keep the wind out and the cold, it makes it very comfortable but we can still see out. 

Dave Voris, Giglio Awnings: Our relationship with Somfy is another great partnership, they power all the products we sell. They're very reliable, and they must be very reliable in the commercial space because these restaurants are open everyday. 

Stephen DiPietro, Blue Water Cafe owner:  It has definitely increased my business and maintained my business.