Irie FM 98.1
Ocean City, NJ Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
The neon for Irie FM 98.1 radiates through the studio window in Ocean City, Maryland. Colorful lettering and a glowing ON AIR sign give passersby a little something to look at while somebody spins the tunes. 12-06
Known today as Ocean 98.1 WOCM, the station broadcasts from the Seacrets entertainment complex on 49th Street. Rock, reggae and alternative music fit the Irie name, a Jamaican expression meaning everything is good. Visiting musicians also perform inside, sometimes with an audience watching through the glass.
UPDATE: Ocean 98.1 continues broadcasting from Seacrets, where the colorful Irie Radio neon still lights up the studio window. 08-26
The Embers Restaurant (Gone)
Ocean City, NJ Photo courtesy Matthias Tippner
A colorful neon fish swims above The Embers Restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland. The glowing seafood mascot was a welcome sight for hungry vacationers cruising Philadelphia Avenue after dark. 12-06
The Embers began on the Boardwalk in 1945 before moving to 24th Street in the late 1950s. Its enormous seafood and prime rib buffet became a vacation tradition for generations of visitors.
UPDATE: The old building and neon fish are gone, replaced by a multi-story complex on the same corner. The family restaurant reopened as 1945 Steak & Seafood in April 2026, continuing the dining tradition with a considerably different look. 08-26
Planters Mr. Peanut (Gone)
New York City, NY Photo courtesy Paul Bauke
A giant Mr. Peanut watches over Times Square with his familiar top hat, monocle and cane. With all those Broadway signs competing for attention, it takes a pretty big peanut to stand out. 01-07
The character originated in a 1916 contest, when 14-year-old Antonio Gentile earned $5 for his winning sketch. Times Square later had a Planters store with an animated neon Mr. Peanut that reportedly tipped his hat and twirled his cane. The store closed in 1961, but the famous peanut eventually returned on billboards like this one.
UPDATE: The original Planters store and animated neon sign are long gone. This later billboard has also been replaced in Times Square’s ever-changing advertising lineup. 08-26
Weirs Beach Drive-in Theatre
Weirs Beach, NH Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The glowing marquee at the Weirs Beach Drive-in Theatre still looks right at home along Route 3. Red neon trim, flowing “Drive-In Theatre” script and rows of movie titles make this a worthwhile nighttime stop. Across the road is the famous Weirs Beach arrow sign near Lake Winnipesaukee. Quite a corner for roadside sign fans. 12-07
Opened in 1949 under Henry Gaudette, the drive-in began with one screen and room for about 550 cars. It later grew into a four-screen complex, offering more choices for summer visitors settling in beneath the New Hampshire night sky.
Window speakers eventually gave way to FM radio sound, but the attraction stayed much the same. Find a spot, roll down the windows and hope the mosquitoes are watching a different screen. During Laconia Motorcycle Week, the grounds also filled with vendors, parking and plenty of daytime activity.
Weirs Beach Sign
Weirs Beach, NH Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The future became uncertain in 2024 when longtime owner Pat Baldi retired and closed the theater. With the property for sale, another familiar drive-in appeared headed for its final credits.
UPDATE: Outdoor movies returned for the 2026 summer season as part of a new campground and entertainment setup. The four screens and historic neon marquee remain standing, giving this old favorite another chance to light up Route 3. 08-26
Firestone
Hamden, CT Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen
The red neon letters on this Firestone Complete Auto Care really light up the brick building along Dixwell Avenue. Most Firestone shops replaced signs like this with ordinary plastic boxes years ago, making this glowing version a rare sight in the Northeast. 03-07
The individual channel letters follow the familiar Firestone lettering in bright red neon. Firestone has been around since 1900, but only a few of these old corporate signs still light up the night.
UPDATE: The Hamden Firestone remains open and the vintage neon lettering still survives. 08-26
Hamden Plaza
Hamden, CT Photo and info courtesy Rick Ibsen
The Hamden Plaza is located on Dixwell Ave in Hamden, CT. The Hamden plaza is one of the first, if not the first, strip type shopping center in the country. This sign has been there since at least the early 60's and probably longer. Many thanks to Rick Ibsen for info. 03-07
Opened in 1954, the plaza became part of Hamden’s “Magic Mile,” with stores including Woolworth’s, W.T. Grant and J.C. Penney. In 1978, its parking lot gained an unusual attraction: twenty cars partially buried beneath asphalt. The Ghost Parking Lot lasted until 2003, when weather and years of wear finally caught up with it.
UPDATE: Hamden Plaza remains open, and its vintage sign still stands. A Starbucks now occupies the former Ghost Parking Lot site. 08-26
Coca-Cola Store
Weirs Beach, NH Photo courtesy Alan Culley
The red neon Coca-Cola lettering really lights up this storefront along Lakeside Avenue. Despite appearances, this is not an official Coca-Cola store. It is part of the Half Moon Gift Shop and Arcade, a longtime Weirs Beach attraction. 12-07
The Ames family opened the Half Moon complex in 1924. Along with the neon, the old brick building sports large painted Coca-Cola advertisements that add plenty of color to the boardwalk.
UPDATE: The Half Moon remains open at 260 Lakeside Avenue, and its vintage Coca-Cola signs still survive. 08-26
Irie FM 98.1
The Embers Restaurant (Gone)
Planters Mr. Peanut (Gone)
Coca-Cola Store
