KY Super Market (Closed)
Tucson, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

The old KY Super Market really knew how to announce itself along South Sixth Avenue in Tucson. Those giant “KY” letters climb the sign tower while “SUPER MARKET” glows across the face below. Add the smaller “BEER” and “WINE” panels and there was not much mystery about what waited inside. The name behind those initials, however, seems to have been lost somewhere along the way. 06-23

Built around 1960, the little market served the neighborhoods just south of downtown near Barrio Viejo. This was the kind of neighborhood grocery where people could stop for everyday supplies without heading to one of the larger supermarkets spreading across Tucson. The building also sat along the old US Route 80 corridor, once a major highway carrying travelers through the middle of town.

The KY Market eventually closed and the building sat vacant for more than a decade. Broken windows, graffiti and a weathered exterior made it look as if another piece of old Tucson might be headed for demolition. The neon was dark, but the big stucco sign tower and most of its original lettering remained attached to the building.

KY Super Market from the street
Tucson, AZ
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Then a marketing company called Brink stepped in and found a clever way to make the old sign work again. The building was cleaned up and converted into office space, while the neon received a wonderfully playful update. “KY Super Market” became “Brink Super Marketing,” and the old “Beer/Wine” panel was changed to “Brink.com.” Now that is adaptive reuse with a sense of humor.

The renovation kept the sign’s familiar shape and brought the neon back to life instead of replacing it with a plain plastic box. The former grocery is also recognized as a contributing property along Tucson’s historic US Route 80 corridor, giving this once-forgotten neighborhood market a little official roadside respect.

UPDATE: The KY Super Market no longer operates as a grocery store. The building has been repurposed as creative office space, while its restored sign now glows with the altered “Brink Super Marketing” message. 09-26