Signs Plus Inc. is preparing to move into a bigger facility later this year.

In December Signs Plus purchased the San Juan Building at 766 Marine Drive in Bellingham, near the Bennett Drive intersection. The new building will have around 18,000 square feet of space, nearly doubling the business' current size, said Jim Sutterfield, president and founder of the company.

"This move will allow us to add new equipment and allow for a more streamlined operation," Sutterfield said. "It's amazing what a little more square footage can do."

Signs Plus moved to its current facility, 1330 N. Forest St., in 1999. The move to the new facility is being done in stages to avoid disrupting production. Customers are asked to visit the Forest Street location until the move is completed, probably this spring, Sutterfield said. Updates can be found at signsplusnw.com.

Signs Plus began in 1992 as a small commercial shop creating banners, vehicle lettering and other promotional signs.

Reach Business Editor Dave Gallagher at 360-715-2269 or dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com. Read his business blog at blogs.bellinghamherald.com/business or follow him on Twitter at @bhamheraldbiz.