Michigan News Agency (Closed)
Kalamazoo, MI
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

Walking along Michigan Avenue, it would have been hard to miss the streamlined neon at Michigan News Agency in Kalamazoo, MI. With its classic design and marquee proclaiming "Bringing the World to You Since '47," the sign welcomed generations of customers looking for newspapers, magazines, books, and just about anything worth reading. 06-05

Opened in 1947, the shop became a downtown institution and one of those places that seemed to have something for everyone. Just as memorable as the store itself was the neon marquee, which gave the storefront a timeless look both day and night.

UPDATE: Michigan News Agency closed in 2025 after nearly eight decades in business. Fortunately, the iconic neon sign still survives, and the building's new owners have pledged to preserve it as part of the property's future. 07-26

Catholic Shoppe
Jackson, MI
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

Catholic Shoppe in Jackson, MI, features a simple neon window sign that glows above a display honoring Pope Benedict XVI shortly after his election in 2005. It's not a flashy roadside sign, but it catches your eye and adds a warm touch to the storefront. 06-05

The family-owned shop has been serving the Jackson community since the early 1950s, offering religious books, gifts, and church supplies for generations. It's the kind of neighborhood business that's become just as familiar as the sign in its window.

UPDATE: The Catholic Shoppe remains open, and the window neon sign still survives. It's nice to see a longtime local business—and its neon—still welcoming customers. 07-26

Booby Trap (Gone)
Detroit, MI
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

Booby Trap in Detroit, MI, featured a bright neon sign that was hard to miss along 8 Mile Road. Whatever your opinion of the business, there's no denying the sign was a classic piece of roadside neon and looked right at home among the commercial glow that once lined the strip. 06-05

Like many vintage signs, it outlasted the era that created it. The club eventually changed hands and was rebranded, but for years the old Booby Trap sign remained one of the more recognizable neon landmarks along 8 Mile.

UPDATE: The original Booby Trap is gone, and the vintage neon sign has been removed. The building is still in use under different ownership, but the classic sign is no longer part of the streetscape. 07-26

Jesus Saves Wheeler Mission
Indianapolis, IN
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

Jesus Saves has been lighting up downtown Indianapolis for decades with its glowing neon cross and bright lettering. Mounted on the Wheeler Mission building, it's one of those signs that's impossible to miss and has become a familiar landmark for anyone passing through the area. While most neon is meant to sell something, this sign delivers a much different message. 06-05

For generations, the Wheeler Mission has provided meals, shelter, and support to those in need, making the sign a symbol of hope as much as a piece of vintage neon. Day or night, the bright cross and familiar words have welcomed countless people through its doors while becoming one of Indianapolis' best-known neon landmarks.

UPDATE: The Wheeler Mission remains open, and the iconic Jesus Saves neon sign continues to shine over downtown Indianapolis. It's great to see this classic piece of neon still serving the purpose it was built for. 07-26

24 Hrs Coffee
IN
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

24 Hrs Coffee is one of those neon signs that instantly brings to mind late-night road trips. Whether you were driving through town or cruising the highway after dark, those glowing words promised a hot cup of coffee and a place to take a break. It wasn't fancy, but it didn't need to be. 06-05

Signs like this were once a common sight outside diners, cafés, and truck stops across America. For tired travelers, a simple neon message like this could be just as inviting as any giant roadside billboard. Today, they're becoming harder to find, making the survivors all the more special.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the exact location of this sign isn't known, so I'm not sure if it's still around. Hopefully it found a way to survive, because signs like this are becoming few and far between. 07-26

Dotty's Chapeaux Boutique (Gone)
St. Joseph, IN
Photo courtesy Michelle K.

Dotty's Chapeaux Boutique in St. Joseph, MI, was hard to miss thanks to the bright pink neon glowing in its front window. As if that wasn't enough, the sign also carried the memorable slogan, "Women's Haven. Men's Nightmare." It was the kind of storefront that could make you smile before you even stepped inside. 06-05

Specializing in hats and fashion, the boutique added a little color and personality to Niles Avenue. Between the playful slogan and the vibrant neon, it was exactly the kind of small business that made roadside exploring so much fun.

UPDATE: Dotty's Chapeaux Boutique has closed, and the pink neon sign has been removed. It's another unique storefront that's now just a memory. 07-26

Smithereen Exterminators (Gone)
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Dennis Dixson

Smithereen Exterminators in Chicago, IL, had one of the more memorable signs around. The bright neon mouse perched high above the street made it impossible to miss, and it's easy to see why it became a favorite among neon fans. 06-06

Founded in 1888, Smithereen was one of the country's oldest pest control companies. While the business eventually dropped "Exterminators" from its name, the famous neon mouse remained a familiar Chicago landmark for many years.

UPDATE: The original pole sign was removed in 2014 when the company's Franklin Park location closed. Fortunately, it wasn't scrapped as it's been preserved in company storage, so there's still hope this classic piece of neon may shine again someday. 07-26