Park TV (Gone)
Evergreen Park, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 1994

One afternoon during a bike ride I discovered the Park TV sign laying all around the garbage dumpster. I went home to get the camera. I wasn't sign savvy back then as I am now or that green "Sales ~ Service Sign" would be in my possession right now. It even has the Flashtric manufacturer tag on it. Notice the one support pole is rusted through. Many thanks for Park TV for info. 06-07

The panel carried a Flashtric manufacturer's tag, providing a useful clue to the sign's origins. One support pole had rusted completely through, suggesting a structural problem rather than simply a change in advertising tastes. Unfortunately, a handsome sign panel doesn't always survive when the hardware holding it up fails.

UPDATE: Park TV and its sign are gone. Whether any pieces were rescued hasn't been established, so their disposal shouldn't be assumed. That green panel would certainly have made an interesting survivor from the days when neighborhood television shops advertised both sales and repairs. 07-26

Blossoms (Gone)
Birmingham, MI
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Blossoms had one of those signs that fit perfectly along Woodward Avenue. It wasn't flashy, but it had just enough style to catch your eye as you drove by. Combined with the attractive storefront, it made for a nice roadside stop in the south end of Birmingham. 07-07

The florist had been a local favorite for years, known for its flowers, gifts, and beautifully landscaped property. While the business eventually moved a short distance down Woodward to Royal Oak, the original location always seemed to have a little extra charm, thanks in part to the sign out front.

UPDATE: Blossoms is still in business, but at its newer Royal Oak location. The Birmingham building remains, but the old roadside sign that once welcomed customers has been removed. 07-26

Michigan Portrait Studio (Gone)
Wyandotte, MI
Photo courtesy Rick McOmber

Michigan Portrait Studio had one of those signs that was every bit as memorable as the business itself. The freestanding sign, complete with the silhouette of a woman's profile, stood along Fort Street for decades and became a familiar sight to anyone passing through Wyandotte. 07-07

The studio moved to this location in the early 1950s and spent years photographing generations of local families. Long after the cameras stopped clicking, the old sign remained standing, quietly outlasting the business it once advertised. Even with parts of it missing toward the end, it was still an eye-catching reminder of a different era.

UPDATE: The portrait studio is gone, and the building has been repurposed for other businesses. The old roadside sign survived for a number of years after the studio closed but was eventually removed. It's another classic sign that's now just a memory. 07-26

Phillips Bakery (Gone)
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Jeffrey Cook / 2005

The old Phillips Bakery blade sign was one of those neighborhood signs that looked like it had been hanging there forever. Stretching out over the sidewalk, it was a familiar sight along Belmont Avenue and a nice reminder of the days when every neighborhood seemed to have its own corner bakery. 11-07

Phillips Bakery served the area for many years before eventually closing its doors. Even after the ovens went cold, the old sign remained, surviving long enough for a few different businesses to call the building home. For a while, only the "BAKERY" portion remained untouched while the rest of the sign was adapted for a new tenant.

UPDATE: The original Phillips Bakery sign is no longer there, and the building has gone through several changes over the years. Fortunately, this old photo preserves a classic Chicago blade sign that once added a little extra character to the neighborhood. 07-26

The Swing Shop
Kansas City, MO
Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb

The Swing Shop sign fits right in with its surroundings. Located inside the American Jazz Museum, it has a fun look that captures the spirit of the Historic 18th & Vine Jazz District. Even if you weren't shopping, the sign alone was worth a second look. 11-07

The Swing Shop serves as the museum's gift shop, offering everything from music and books to shirts and other jazz-related souvenirs. It's also located next to The Blue Room, one of Kansas City's best-known jazz clubs, making this a great stop for anyone interested in the city's rich musical heritage.

UPDATE: The Swing Shop is still open inside the American Jazz Museum and continues to welcome visitors exploring the exhibits and the surrounding jazz district. The sign is still there, adding another nice touch to one of Kansas City's most historic neighborhoods. 07-26

Field's Fine Footwear (Closed)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The old Field's Fine Footwear sign has managed to outlive the business it once advertised. Hanging over the sidewalk in downtown Marion, it's one of those signs that's easy to overlook today, especially since it's been repainted over the years. But look a little closer and you can still see the bones of the original sign. 01-08

Field's was a longtime downtown shoe store that was well known for fitting everything from everyday shoes to specialty orthopedic footwear. The store has been gone for years, but the old sign frame remains attached to the building, quietly hinting at what used to be here.

UPDATE: The original lettering is gone, replaced by newer graphics, but the vintage sign itself is still hanging on. It's always nice to see an old sign frame survive, even when its original identity has faded away. 07-26

Harvest Super Market
Anderson, IN
Photo courtesy Craig Selvey

The Harvest Super Market sign is hard to miss. With its bright yellow arrow pointing toward the parking lot, it does exactly what it was designed to do—catch the attention of passing motorists. It's the kind of grocery store sign that has become a familiar landmark for anyone who has shopped here over the years. 02-08

Harvest Super Market has been serving central Indiana since the 1970s, and the Anderson store continues that tradition today. While many independent supermarkets have disappeared or been replaced by national chains, Harvest has managed to stick around. The sign isn't elaborate, but it has just enough mid-century style to make it stand out from today's cookie-cutter grocery stores.

UPDATE: Harvest Super Market is still serving the Anderson community, and the yellow arrow sign is still pointing customers toward the front door. Not sure if the sign is still around pointing customers to the front door. 07-26

Karnes Sweeper Co.
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

Here's the projecting sign at Karnes Sweeper Co. in Marion, Indiana. Even a vacuum-cleaner shop could have an advertisement worth stopping to admire. The bold lettering and distinctive shape gave this specialty business a recognizable roadside face. 01-08

Established in 1939, Karnes became a longtime family operation at 3745 South Washington Street. The sign likely dates to the 1950s, although its neon had already disappeared by 2007. Even without the tubing, the old cabinet retained enough character to stand apart from an ordinary modern business sign.

UPDATE: Karnes continues to be listed at its longtime address, and the vintage sign remains documented outside the shop. Its original neon is gone, but the familiar design survives—a fitting reminder of a family business built around keeping household equipment working. 07-26