Wright Jewelers
Saint Joseph, MO
Photo courtesy Rod Holcomb

The old Wright Jewelers sign looks like it belongs to another time. Hanging out over the sidewalk, it brings back memories of when downtown jewelry stores were the place to shop for engagement rings, watches, and that special gift for an anniversary or birthday. 10-10

There's nothing flashy about the sign, and that's exactly why I like it. It's a classic Main Street blade sign that did its job for years, quietly becoming part of the streetscape. You can almost picture shoppers strolling downtown, stopping to admire the displays before stepping inside.

UPDATE: Wright Jewelers has since closed, and the old storefront has been repurposed. The sign has been gone for at least a few years or more. Classic downtown signs like this always seem to add a little extra character to the block. 07-26

Allied Furniture (Gone)
Savanna, IL
Photo and info courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Sometimes a sign doesn't have to be lit to get your attention. The old Furniture sign in Savanna had faded paint, dark neon, and plenty of miles on it, but it was still one of the best-looking signs on Main Street. There's just something about those tall vertical furniture signs that always seems to fit an old downtown. 09-10

The sign belonged to Allied Furniture, a longtime downtown business that occupied this impressive four-story building for many years. Even after the store closed, the sign remained in place, quietly reminding people of the days when downtown furniture stores were found in just about every community.

UPDATE: The building has been beautifully restored and now serves as the Savanna Museum and Cultural Center. The old Furniture sign was removed during the renovation, but it's nice to know the building itself was given a new purpose instead of meeting the wrecking ball. 07-26

Rockford Sausage Co. (Gone)
Rockford, IL
Photo and info courtesy Kelly Sullivan

The old Rockford Sausage Co. sign isn't flashy, but it doesn't need to be. Painted directly on the side of the brick building, it has the kind of honest, hardworking look that fits the business perfectly. After years of weather and fading paint, it still has plenty of character. 09-10

Rockford Sausage has been part of the community since 1930 and remains a family-owned business today. The company has grown and changed over the years, but the old painted sign is still there, quietly reminding people of its long history. It's another great example of how a simple painted wall sign can become just as memorable as a big neon marquee.

UPDATE: Rockford Sausage Co. is still in business, though it appears to be temporary closed, and the weathered wall sign disappeared around 2023. Signs like this don't need flashing lights to stand out. They just need a few decades of history behind them. 07-26

Luecke Jewelers (Gone)
Freeport, IL
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

Luecke Jewelers had the kind of sign that always seemed right at home in an old downtown. The projecting clock hanging over Main Street was more than just an advertisement—it was something people probably glanced at every day as they walked by. Signs like this have a way of becoming part of the streetscape without anyone really noticing until they're gone. 09-10

Luecke Jewelers has been part of downtown Freeport since 1921 and remains in the hands of the same family more than a century later. While the business has stood the test of time, it was the old clock sign that first caught my eye. It added a little extra charm to the storefront and fit perfectly with the historic character of downtown.

UPDATE: Luecke Jewelers is still serving customers from its longtime home in Freeport. Unfortunately, the vintage clock sign was removed around 2023, making this photo a reminder of another classic downtown sign that's no longer part of the streetscape. 07-26

Ace Hardware
Janesville, WI
Photo courtesy Kelly Sullivan

It's hard to miss the giant Ace Hardware sign sitting on top of the building in downtown Janesville. Rooftop signs always seem to have a little extra presence, and this one can be spotted from quite a distance away. Sitting across the street from RiversEdge Bowl, it helps give this part of downtown a classic mid-century feel. 11-10

The hardware store has been serving Janesville for generations, and the rooftop sign has become just as much a landmark as the business itself. You don't see many signs like this anymore. Most have disappeared as buildings have changed hands or businesses have come and gone, making survivors like this all the more special.

UPDATE: Harris Ace Hardware is still going strong, and the big rooftop sign continues to watch over downtown Janesville. Better yet, the neon still lights up, making it one of the city's best surviving roadside landmarks. 07-26

Buse's Flowers (Gone)
St Charles, MO
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The old Buse's Flowers blade sign was the kind of thing that made a downtown street a little more interesting. Hanging out over the sidewalk, it was a simple sign, but one that had plenty of character. It's easy to imagine it catching the eye of someone looking for flowers on their way through St. Charles. 06-11

Buse's Flowers had been part of the community since 1966, operating for years from its original downtown location before moving to a newer storefront. Fortunately, the business lived on even though the old location did not. The blade sign, however, always seemed like it belonged exactly where it was.

UPDATE: Buse's Flowers is still serving customers from its new location in St. Charles. 07-26

IGA (Closed)
Fort Recovery, OH
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The old IGA sign in Fort Recovery is a great reminder of the days when grocery stores weren't shy about getting your attention. The first thing I noticed were the little yellow bulbs that still circle the edge of the sign. Even though many of them have probably been dark for years, they add a lot of character. 06-11

It's a simple sign, but one that brings back memories of hometown grocery stores where everybody seemed to know each other. Before the big chains took over, signs like this were a familiar sight in small towns across America. Thankfully, this one has managed to stick around.

UPDATE: The old IGA sign still survives in Fort Recovery. I don't know if the bulbs have lit up in years, but they're still there, giving this classic grocery sign a little extra personality. 07-26

Roy Cox Realty Co. (Gone)
St Charles, MO
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Roy Cox Realty Co. sign has a look that makes you wonder just how long it's been standing there. I never did figure out its age, but it certainly caught my attention. It's the kind of roadside sign that seems to belong to another era, when local real estate offices weren't afraid to advertise with something a little more distinctive. 06-11

Roy Cox Realty was a familiar name in St. Charles for many years, helping people buy and sell homes while becoming part of the downtown business community. Whether the sign dated back to the company's early years or not, it had the kind of character that made it worth a second look.

UPDATE: Roy Cox Realty is gone, and the old roadside sign has been removed. The historic building once associated with the business has been restored and repurposed, but the sign that first caught my eye is now just a memory. 07-26