Roselyn Bakery (Gone)
Indianapolis, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

If you grew up around Indianapolis, Roselyn Bakery probably needs little introduction. Its neighborhood shops and distinctive signs made finding doughnuts, cookies, or a birthday cake an easy assignment. For many Hoosiers, that familiar name meant something sweet was close by. 12-07

Established in 1943, Roselyn grew into a chain with 34 locations when the stores closed in 1999. The signs became landmarks in their own right, marking regular stops for generations of customers. Fortunately, an original neon example was preserved at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati.

UPDATE: The neighborhood bakery stores are gone, but Roselyn Recipe continues offering familiar baked goods through grocery retailers and online sales. Favorites include Sweetheart and Alligator coffeecakes, keeping a little of the old bakery tradition available long after the storefront lights went out. 07-26

Castle Rock Curios
St Ignace, MI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Here's the distinctive Castle Rock Curios sign near St. Ignace, Michigan. Shaped to suggest the attraction itself, it gives motorists a preview before they reach the real limestone lookout. That's a fitting piece of advertising for this Upper Peninsula roadside stop. 12-07

Clarence Eby opened Castle Rock to visitors in 1929. About 170 steps lead toward the summit, where views extend across Lake Huron and the surrounding countryside. Down below, Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox add another reason to stop, while the souvenir shop supplies reminders small enough to fit in the car.

UPDATE: Castle Rock continues welcoming visitors seasonally, with its rock-shaped sign marking the attraction. Generations of travelers have made the climb, proving that sometimes a good view and a few oversized roadside characters are enough to keep a stop memorable. 07-26

Leske's Supper Club (Gone)
Madison, WI
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The neon at Leske's Supper Club made a welcome sight along Monona Drive near Madison, Wisconsin. Standing near the Beltline, the marquee pointed hungry motorists toward the kind of evening that might begin with a cocktail and end with another familiar face stopping by the table. 01-08

Leske's occupied the property at 6401 Monona Drive for nearly 50 years. Like many Wisconsin supper clubs, it became a gathering place for family dinners, celebrations, and regular customers. The sign helped make the restaurant recognizable well beyond the people who came through its doors.

UPDATE: Leske's is gone, and the old neon sign has been removed. Tully's II Food & Spirits continues operating at the address, carrying on the property's restaurant tradition with steaks, seafood, and other familiar favorites. The name changed, but dinner is still being served. 07-26

Marion Camera (Gone)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The neon lettering for the Marion Camera store in Marion used to be a welcome sight. Marion Camera closed about 5 years ago and is now gone. Many thanks to Alan Culley for info. 01-08

The storefront's script neon sign had plenty of personality and fit perfectly with the downtown streetscape. It was the kind of neighborhood business where the sign became just as recognizable as the store itself.

By the time this photo was taken, the camera shop had already closed, and before long the old neon sign disappeared as well. Like so many independent camera stores, Marion Camera became another casualty of the digital age.

UPDATE: Marion Camera is gone, and its classic neon sign has been removed. 07-26

Amused Clothing
Lafayette, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi

The colorful neon at Amused Clothing is hard to miss. Hanging above the stairway leading down to the shop, the bright sign is a clever play on words that perfectly fits this longtime used clothing store. 10-08

Originally opened in 1986 as The American Used Clothing Company, the business eventually shortened its name to "Amused," giving it a fun identity that's easy to remember. The colorful neon only adds to the store's personality.

Tucked beneath street level near Purdue University, the shop has become a favorite stop for students looking for vintage clothing, records, and other unique finds. It's the kind of place where the sign draws you in just as much as what's waiting inside.

UPDATE: Amused Clothing is still going strong, and the colorful neon sign continues to welcome shoppers down the stairs. 07-26

Griffith Furniture (Gone)
Griffith, IN
Photo courtesy Barney Slifer

The glowing blade sign at Griffith Furniture was a familiar sight in downtown Griffith. Hanging over the sidewalk with bright neon spelling out "FURNITURE," it was exactly the kind of sign that gave a downtown business district its character. 10-08

The family-owned store had been serving the community since 1945, helping generations of local residents furnish their homes. Along the way, the vertical sign became just as recognizable as the business itself.

Blade signs like this were designed to be seen by both motorists and pedestrians, making them a perfect fit for a traditional downtown street. At night, the glowing border and bold lettering made it stand out from blocks away.

UPDATE: Griffith Furniture has closed, and the vintage neon blade sign has been removed. Another classic downtown landmark has quietly faded into history. 07-26

Bridal Boutique (Gone)
Hobart, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi

The glowing window sign at Bridal Boutique added a little extra charm to this longtime downtown Hobart storefront. It may not have been a giant roadside marquee, but it was just enough to catch the eye of people strolling or driving down Main Street. 10-08

For more than 40 years, the shop helped generations of brides find the perfect dress. The welcoming storefront became a familiar part of downtown before the business moved to larger quarters in nearby Valparaiso.

Simple window signs like this often go unnoticed, but they helped give small downtown business districts their character. A little neon could make an ordinary storefront feel warm and inviting.

UPDATE: The original Hobart location is gone, and the window neon sign disappeared when the business relocated in 2010. Today, the shop continues to operate as Catherine's Bridal Boutique in Valparaiso. 07-26

Avanti Limousines (Rem.)
Highland, IN
Photo courtesy Barney Slifer

The first thing that catches your eye at Avanti Limousines isn't a building, it's the glowing neon stretched across the entrance. Spanning the driveway like a welcome arch, the sign makes a memorable first impression. 10-08

Since opening in 1994, Avanti Limousines has provided transportation throughout Northwest Indiana and the Chicago area. The neon entrance is a fitting touch for a company that's all about making an arrival feel a little more special.

UPDATE: Avanti Limousines is still in business, but I'm not sure if the neon archway remains at the entrance. It appears the arch is there but neon has been removed. 07-26