New Neighbour Launches Hospitality Signage from Furniture Offcuts

Sonia Ruparell-Martinez, a pediatric sports medicine physician and entrepreneur, launched New Neighbour, a brand offering redesigned hospitality signage such as menu holders and signboards. The products are made in collaboration with Coolican & Company, a furniture design studio founded by Peter Coolican, with creative director Stephen Dalrymple and partner Nathan Clarke. Ruparell-Martinez first connected with the studio at IDS Toronto. New Neighbour is an offshoot of Whence, a hospitality marketplace she founded in 2024. The signage is crafted from offcuts of Coolican & Company's furniture production, keeping costs competitive while reducing waste. The A-frame sign features a wooden handle (also an offcut) to prevent overheating in the sun and friction-fitted letters to deter theft. Custom colors and handle options in black ash or walnut are available. The team plans to expand into lobby and guest room furniture.