Safeway (Gone)
Spokane, WA
Photo courtesy Allen Sandquist

Sometimes it's the prices that date an old photograph as much as the sign. This Safeway marquee in Spokane advertises Grade A turkeys for 35 cents a pound and cranberry sauce for a dollar. Sounds like enough to put together quite a Thanksgiving feast.

The familiar circular "S" logo was once a common sight outside Safeway stores across the West. Combined with the changeable letter reader board, it was the kind of sign that let passing motorists know exactly what bargains were waiting inside.

The sign may be gone today, but it's hard not to smile at those old grocery prices. They make this roadside photo just as much a snapshot of its era as the marquee itself.

UPDATE: The historic Safeway sign has been removed, and the former store has since been put to other uses. 07-26

Farley's Florist (Gone)
Tacoma, WA
Photo courtesy Jeffrey Cook

The sweeping script at Farley’s Florist gave this Tacoma flower shop a look worth stopping for. Between the lettering across the building and the rooftop neon, passing motorists had plenty of encouragement to notice something besides the flowers in the window. 11-07

Farley’s opened in 1955, and its vintage signs fit that period nicely. The shop became a familiar part of Sixth Avenue, keeping its distinctive appearance long after many neighboring businesses updated their storefronts.

UPDATE: The building was repainted by 2012, and the Farley’s sign had been removed by 2021 as another florist took over. The property continued in the flower business as William’s Flower & Gift, but the old name and memorable neon no longer greeted customers. 07-26

Sure Fit (Gone)
Tacoma, WA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

The individual letters across Sure Fit gave this South Tacoma Way storefront almost as much personality as its roadside pole sign. Seat covers might not sound like an exciting business to advertise, but this shop certainly put some effort into getting noticed. 11-08

The signs disappeared in stages. Around 2014, the pole sign’s neon was removed and its panels covered with printed lettering. By 2017, the pole sign was gone, while the large “S” on the building had been folded back over the roof. It was a gradual farewell to a distinctive automotive storefront.

UPDATE: Sure Fit had left the property by 2021, and the building later housed Relic Trailers. The historic lettering and pole sign are gone, leaving photographs to preserve another piece of South Tacoma Way’s automotive advertising. 07-26