Wally's Jewelry
Blackfoot, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Check out this standout neon sign at Wally's Jewelry in Blackfoot, Idaho. The vertical sign towered above the sidewalk and made the store easy to spot while traveling through downtown.

Jewelry stores and neon signs have always seemed to go together, and this one was no exception. The bright sign helped advertise watches, diamonds, and jewelry for many years while adding a little extra color to Broadway after dark.

It's a simple sign, but one that had plenty of presence and helped give downtown Blackfoot some classic roadside character. 10-06

UPDATE: Wally's Jewelry has since closed, and the building has been redeveloped. Unfortunately, the vintage neon sign has been removed and no longer survives. 06-26

Saving Center Super Markets (Gone)
Idaho Falls, ID
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

The starburst sign at Saving Center Super Markets took on a whole new life when the neon came on at dusk. While the grocery store itself was fairly ordinary, that rooftop sign gave the place a distinctive look and made it a familiar landmark for Idaho Falls shoppers.

Built during the heyday of roadside neon, the multi-pointed starburst was exactly the kind of attention-grabbing design that helped businesses stand out in an increasingly automobile-oriented world. It was hard to miss, especially after dark.

For many years the Saving Center served as a neighborhood grocery store, but for roadside enthusiasts the sign was often the real attraction. 10-06

UPDATE: The Saving Center building sat vacant for several years before being demolished in 2014. Unfortunately, the iconic rooftop starburst sign was removed and destroyed during the demolition, bringing an end to one of Idaho Falls' more memorable neon landmarks. 09-16

Granite Furniture (Closed)
Salt Lake City, UT
Photo and info courtesy Dawn Corrigan

Here's a night shot of the Granite Furniture sign in Salt Lake City. Opened in 1910, the store became a longtime landmark in the Sugar House neighborhood, but it was the sign that really stole the show.

Perched high above the street was a giant three-dimensional starburst that could be seen from a considerable distance away. Whether you called it a starburst, Sputnik, or simply "that spinning thing," it was one of the most recognizable roadside features in Salt Lake City. Combined with the neon below, it created a display that was hard to ignore after dark.

For generations of Utah residents, the sign became every bit as memorable as the furniture store itself. 12-06

UPDATE: The original Granite Furniture store closed in 2004, and the property has since been redeveloped for other commercial uses. The good news is that the iconic roadside sign still survives. The famous spinning starburst topper was fully restored in 2026 and continues to light up the Sugar House neighborhood as one of the area's best-known roadside landmarks. 06-26

Hodgins Drug and Hobby (Sign gone)
Moscow, ID
Photo courtesy Candace Courts

This old downtown drug store uses its neon-lit sign to help customers find their way in. Hodgins Drug and Hobby has been a fixture in downtown Moscow for generations, and the glowing sign remains one of the classic sights along Main Street after dark.

The business traces its roots back to 1890, making it one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in the region. Over the years it evolved from a traditional drug store into a unique combination of pharmacy, hobby shop, and toy store that has become a destination for both locals and visitors.

The sign may not be the largest in town, but it does exactly what good neon is supposed to do, which is add a little character to the street and make the storefront stand out once the sun goes down. 05-09

UPDATE: Hodgins Drug & Hobby remains in business in downtown Moscow and continues to serve the community as an independent pharmacy and hobby store. The historic neon sign unfortunately is gone and lost sometime after 2023. 06-26

CJ's Night Club and Billiards (Gone)
Moscow, ID
Photo courtesy Candace Courts

Downtown Moscow was once home to CJ's Night Club and Billiards, a popular gathering spot for both locals and travelers passing through town. For nearly two decades, the club was a fixture of the local nightlife scene, offering billiards, dancing, karaoke, and plenty of late-night entertainment.

Its location near the University of Idaho made it especially popular with students, while longtime residents knew it as one of downtown's go-to places for an evening out. The illuminated sign out front helped announce that something was happening inside.

Like many nightlife venues, the memories often outlast the building itself. For many people in Moscow, CJ's remains a place they'll remember long after the lights went out. 05-09

UPDATE: CJ's Night Club and Billiards permanently closed in 2016 following the retirement of its owners. The original sign has since been removed, and the space has been repurposed for other downtown tenants. 06-26

John's Liquors
Denver, CO
Photos courtesy Robin McCracken

Check out this neon sign that lights up the roadside and sidewalk outside of John's Liquors in Denver. Located along East Colfax Avenue, the sign is one of the many surviving pieces of neon that help give the street its unique character.

The design isn't overly complicated, but it doesn't need to be. The bright neon lettering does exactly what it was intended to do—grab attention and let people know they're in the right place. After dark, it becomes one more glowing landmark along one of America's most famous commercial streets.

Part of the fun of exploring Colfax is finding signs like this still doing the job they were built to do decades ago. 09-10

UPDATE: John's Liquors remains in business on East Colfax Avenue, and its classic neon sign continues to light up the sidewalk and streetscape. The sign remains one of the surviving vintage neon landmarks along Denver's historic commercial corridor. 06-26