J Street Liquor (Rem.)
Richmond, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The J Street Liquor has one of those classic neighborhood signs that looks familiar the moment you see it. Advertising package liquor, beer, and wine, the old marquee has been welcoming customers on the northeast side of Richmond for decades. 03-09

Mounted to the side of a brick building, the sign is a great example of the straightforward roadside advertising that once filled towns across the Midwest. It may not be flashy, but it's exactly the kind of sign that catches your eye as you drive by.

Today, the business operates as J Street Carry Out, and the old marquee is still part of the storefront. It's nice to see a vintage sign like this continue doing the job it was built to do.

UPDATE: J Street Carry Out is still open, and the classic roadside sign was removed some years ago and replaced with a boring plastic sign. 07-26

Fred's Shed
Middletown, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Fred's Shed has the kind of sign that makes you slow down for a second look. While the lower portion still lights up, the missing neon tubes across the top tell the story of a sign that's been standing through many years of Indiana weather. 04-09

The rustic-looking liquor store has been a familiar stop in Middletown for decades. Its barn-like appearance and vintage roadside marquee give it plenty of small-town character.

Even with a little wear and tear, the sign still has more personality than most modern replacements. Sometimes a few missing tubes only add to the charm.

UPDATE: Not sure if this Fred's Shed location is still open, and the old roadside sign remains standing. It may not glow quite like it once did, but it's still a welcome sight along the road. 07-26

Cal's Liquors (Demolished)
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Cal's Liquors was one of those classic Chicago corner taverns that looked like it belonged in another era. Sitting just a few blocks from the Sears Tower, the low brick building and its big neon sign stood out among the surrounding downtown streets. 11-09

The business opened in 1947 as both a neighborhood liquor store and bar. Over the years, it became a favorite stop for everyone from downtown workers to music fans looking for a place with plenty of character.

The sign was every bit as memorable as the building itself. Hanging over the corner, it was the kind of neon landmark that made you wish every city still had places like this.

UPDATE: Cal's Liquors closed at the end of 2012, and the building has since been demolished. The famous neon sign was saved before demolition, but its current home isn't known. Thankfully, photos like this preserve one of Chicago's great roadside landmarks. 07-26

The Stoop (Gone)
Rockford, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

An old vertical neon sign is the first thing that stood out at this corner building in Rockford. Even though the business had changed over the years, the vintage marquee gave the place plenty of personality. 09-10

The sign originally belonged to the Tenstopet Tavern, a neighborhood bar that occupied the building for many years. When the property later became a convenience store known as The Stoop, the old sign remained, preserving a small piece of the building's past.

At the time this photo was taken, the sign was still in good shape and was known to light up at night. It was the kind of neighborhood landmark that gave the building far more character than a modern storefront ever could.

UPDATE: The convenience store remains in business, but the old Tenstopet sign was removed sometime before 2017. Fortunately, photos like this preserve a great piece of Rockford's roadside history. 07-26