Coney Island Custard Shoppe (Removed)
Streetsboro, OH
Photo and info courtesy Mark Hackett

Off Route 14 in Streetsboro, Ohio is Custard's Coney Island Shoppe. Plenty of chain stores, condos, and restaurants surround this happy icon of the past. Great malts and other treats can be enjoyed here throughout the summer season. 11-00

UPDATE: The owner of the Coney Island Custard Shoppe has sold the business and a chain ice cream store is taking its place. And yes, the sign has been taken down. Word on the street is that the City of Streetsboro wanted the sign removed for some reason. A local historical society (Kent) says the sign is too big to save for their purposes. For now, the sign sits behind the building, laying flat. The neon hasn't worked in years, but the sign was a pleasant reminder of a simpler time. This sign may end up on eBay. Many thanks to Mark Hackett for update. 05-05

UPDATE: Back in 2000, Coney Island Custard Shoppe was one of those places that stood out along Route 14 in Streetsboro, Ohio. Surrounded by chain stores, restaurants, and new development, its colorful roadside sign was a fun reminder of an earlier era when independent custard stands were a common sight. Great malts, frozen custard, and other summertime treats made it well worth a stop.

The shop remained a local favorite until it was sold in 2005. Following the sale, the property became home to other frozen dessert businesses, first operating as Strickland's Frozen Custard before eventually becoming a Rita's Italian Ice & Frozen Custard location.

Unfortunately, the wonderful roadside sign didn't survive the transition. After years of watching over passing motorists, it was removed following the sale amid a dispute over local zoning requirements. Preservation efforts were unsuccessful, and one more classic roadside landmark disappeared from the landscape.

Coney Island Custard Shoppe is gone, and the vintage roadside sign has long since been removed. The property continues to operate as a frozen dessert stand under a different name. 07-26

Frostee Boy
Knightstown, IN
Photo courtesy Emily Steele

There's something about an old roadside ice cream stand that just makes you want to stop, and Frostee Boy in Knightstown, Indiana, is no exception. Located along historic U.S. Route 40, this longtime favorite has been serving soft-serve treats and classic diner fare to generations of locals and travelers alike. 08-10

Known today as Frosty Boy, the restaurant has been operated by the Dagley family for more than 50 years. Along with cones, shakes, and thick malts, the menu also features burgers, sandwiches, fries, and Pizza King favorites. In January 2024, a devastating fire destroyed much of the restaurant, but with tremendous community support the owners rebuilt and reopened just a few months later.

The familiar roadside sign continues to welcome customers today, proving that some small-town landmarks are simply too important to disappear. It's great to see another classic roadside stop carrying on for a new generation.

UPDATE: Frosty Boy remains open after being rebuilt following a devastating fire in January 2024. The classic roadside sign still stands and continues welcoming visitors to this Knightstown favorite. 07-26

Polly's Freeze
Georgetown, IN
Photos courtesy Rosalind Causey

The line says it all at Polly's Freeze. Folks have been stopping here for a summertime treat for generations, and once the weather warms up, it's not unusual to find a crowd waiting for burgers, corn dogs, shakes, or a soft-serve cone. The bright neon parrot out front only adds to the fun and is one of the best roadside signs around. 08-06

Polly's Freeze opened in 1952 and has become a Southern Indiana tradition. Located along State Road 62 in Georgetown, the seasonal stand is still serving many of the same favorites that have kept people coming back for decades. Whether it's a burger, a pork tenderloin sandwich, or an ice cream creation piled high with toppings, there's something here for just about everyone.

Classic roadside stands like Polly's are getting harder to find, especially ones that still have their original neon. Fortunately, this one is still going strong and is well worth a stop if you're passing through the area.

UPDATE: Polly's Freeze remains open each season in Georgetown, Indiana. The neon parrot swas taking down for maintenance for a short time and returned by spring 2026. It still lights up the roadside and continues to welcome generations of loyal customers. 07-26

Polly's Freeze Lanesville, IN Photos courtesy Rosalind Causey	Polly's Freeze Lanesville, IN Photos courtesy Rosalind Causey