Git N Go (Gone)
Tulsa, OK
Photo courtesy Chris King

Git N Go was once a familiar sight around Tulsa, OK, and its "running boy" neon sign was easily one of the chain's best features. While QuikTrip went on to become a national success, Git N Go carved out its own place in local history with a sign that had far more personality than your typical convenience store. The animated-looking running boy made these locations hard to miss, especially after dark.

Unfortunately, that distinctive look didn't last. During a corporate makeover in the early 1980s, most of the original neon signs were replaced with inexpensive plastic versions, and the famous running boy quietly disappeared from the streets. It's a shame, because it was one of the more memorable convenience store signs of its era.

UPDATE: Git N Go went out of business in 2004, and the remaining stores were sold or repurposed. Sadly, the running boy neon signs are believed to be gone, making photos like this one of the few reminders of a classic piece of Tulsa roadside history. 07-26

Janet Davis Cleaners
Berkley, MI
Photo courtesy Steve Felder

Janet Davis Cleaners is one of several longtime Detroit-area cleaners that still sports a classic neon sign. Standing along Woodward Avenue in Berkley, MI, the colorful sign is a reminder of when neighborhood dry cleaners competed for attention with bright neon instead of backlit plastic. It's the kind of sign that makes an everyday business worth a second look.

The family-owned business has been serving the Detroit area since 1938 and has built a reputation for quality garment care over several generations. While the services have evolved over the years, the vintage neon continues to give the storefront a timeless look.

UPDATE: Janet Davis Cleaners remains open, and the classic neon sign still survives. It's always nice to see a neighborhood business keeping its vintage roadside character intact. 07-26

C. Davis Trailers (Gone)
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Don Gardner

C. Davis Trailers had one of those great roadside marquees that was made to be seen after dark. Standing along Central Avenue in Chicago, the glowing sign advertised trailers, trucks, and tools for rent, proving that even a rental yard could have a little style. If you happened to drive by around dusk, it was almost impossible not to look over at the bright neon. 10-06

The business served the neighborhood for more than 30 years, and the marquee became just as recognizable as the rental yard itself. It was the kind of sign that gave an everyday business a little personality and made it easy to remember. Today, it's hard to imagine a trailer rental company putting this much effort into its signage, but that's part of what made places like this so much fun to discover.

UPDATE: The rental business is gone, and the property has been redeveloped. Sadly, the classic marquee has been removed, leaving only photos to remind us of one of Chicago's memorable roadside signs. 07-26

Glo Dry Cleaning (Gone)s
Springfield, MO
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

Glo Dry Cleaning in Springfield, MO, had one of the strangest neon signs around. Whether it looked like a segmented worm, a futuristic sculpture, or something straight out of a science fiction movie, there was no mistaking it. True to the business's name, the sign really came alive after dark, glowing with an eerie green light that was impossible to ignore.

It wasn't your typical dry cleaner sign, and that's what made it so memorable. While most cleaners relied on simple lettering, Glo went with something completely different. It may not have made much sense, but it certainly got your attention.

UPDATE: The original location and its unusual neon sign are gone, although Glo Dry Cleaning continues to operate at other Springfield locations. Unfortunately, one of the city's most distinctive roadside signs has disappeared. 07-26

Pierce Cleaners (Closed)
Columbus, OH
Photo courtesy Michael Sekeres

Here is the Pierce Cleaners, located on North High St. in Columbus near Worthington. They change the funny sayings on their sign frequently. Many thanks to Michael Sekeres for info.

One of the best things about Pierce Cleaners in Columbus, OH, wasn't just the vintage sign. it was what the sign had to say. Located along North High Street near Worthington, the tall roadside marquee became a local favorite thanks to its ever-changing collection of funny, clever, and sometimes thought-provoking messages. It gave people a reason to look every time they drove by.

Pierce Cleaners opened in 1946 and moved to this location in 1960, when the familiar 25-foot sign was installed. For decades, the business kept the tradition alive by regularly updating the reader board, turning an ordinary dry cleaner into a neighborhood landmark.

UPDATE: The storefront is currently closed following a change in ownership, but the iconic sign is still standing. The message board has gone blank, though there's hope the historic sign will remain part of the streetscape. 07-26

Roush Hardware
Westerville, OH
Photo courtesy Michael Sekeres

It's getting harder to find a hardware store that still lights up the street, which is what makes Roush Hardware in Westerville, OH, such a treat. The vintage neon stretches across the storefront, advertising everything from paint to plumbing supplies just like it has for generations. It's the kind of sign that reminds you when even everyday businesses put a little extra effort into catching your eye.

Founded in 1951, Roush Hardware has remained a longtime fixture on State Street, serving generations of homeowners and do-it-yourselfers. Best of all, the classic neon is still part of the experience, giving the storefront just as much character after dark as it has during the day.

UPDATE: Roush Hardware remains open, and the vintage neon storefront continues to shine. It's always great to see a neighborhood business keeping its classic look alive. 07-26

Clairmount Laundry (Gone)
Berkley, MI
Photo courtesy Mark Hackett

Driving along Woodward Avenue after dark, the neon at Clairmount Cleaners was hard to miss. Like many neighborhood cleaners of the era, it used bright neon to catch your attention and remind you to stop back with your shirts and laundry the next morning. 04-01

Family-owned since 1954, Clairmount Laundry spent decades serving the Berkley community from the same location. It was another example of how even an everyday business could become memorable simply by putting up a great sign.

UPDATE: Clairmount Laundry has closed, and the vintage neon is no longer part of the streetscape. I'm not sure what became of the sign, but it's another classic Woodward Avenue landmark that's been lost. 07-26

Hope Rescue Mission (Gone)
South Bend, IN
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

The bright neon at Hope Rescue Mission was a familiar sight in South Bend, IN, lighting up the street and serving as a beacon for those in need. Unlike most neon signs, this one wasn't trying to sell a product or draw in customers. It simply let people know that help, a warm meal, and a place to stay could be found inside. 06-05

For more than 60 years, the mission served the community from its longtime home on South Michigan Street. The glowing sign became a local landmark, welcoming countless people through its doors while adding another memorable piece of neon to the city's streetscape. It's a reminder that some of the most meaningful neon signs weren't advertising businesses at all—they were offering hope.

UPDATE: Hope Rescue Mission has since moved to a new facility and now operates as Hope Ministries. The original building is gone, and the familiar neon sign disappeared with it, but the organization's mission continues today. 07-26