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US 80
Statesboro, GA
Boyd's Pit Bar-B-Q opened in 1969 and hung on for about 50 years. Spotting it was a fixture for roadtrippers heading north or south on US 80. The building still stands but a google check says that it's "permanent closed" and a street-view peek shows that it's now called Vera's Kitchen.
mamiya 6MF 50mm f/4 + kodak portra 160. lab: the icon, los angeles, ca. scan: epson V750. exif tags: filmtagger.
San Bernardino, CA
I was happy when I was able to shoot this; it was a bucket list sign that I'd been itching to see in person. It's an incredibly tall sign and is so striking. Definitely worth the drive out to San Bernardino!
My sign geek buddy Nikki Kreuzer wrote the following for Offbeat L.A.:
"The abandoned Queen’s restaurant building is located at 601 Mountain View Ave in San Bernardino, CA. Realty records show the building was constructed in 1970, but the sign is much older. It was likely moved here from the first location of the restaurant, opened in 1954, by Precy and Sophie Sellas at 1734 E. Highland Ave, also in San Bernardino. An October 1971 article in the San Bernardino County Sun newspaper wrote that the couple’s first restaurant, Jim’s Broiler, had been in operation about 30 years, since about 1941, and that this current building had only been open for two months. Queen’s was family owned and specialized in grinder sandwiches with extra crunchy rolls and a “secret” sauce. The article also said they served steaks, prime rib, lobster and Sophie's Greek barbecue sandwiches, “The Sophie Sandwich.” Sophie and Precy were also founding members of Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church in San Bernardino. Precy had been the very first photographer for the San Bernardino Sun newspaper and also was a sheriff’s department identification expert who pioneered filmed crime re-enactments. He had joined the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department in 1937 and took his camera everywhere he went, documenting everything. For the next 30 years, he used his photography skills to help fight crime. Precy passed away in 1994 and Sophie died in 2008. Her obituary listed her as a restauranteur for 67 years."
"Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin, you'll never come out the way you went in, what looks like gold is really tin, the girls say 'no' but they'll give in, Lynn, Lynn, the city of sin."
Catchy.
Part of the Greater Boston area, Lynn had its rough spots for sure -- what place doesn't? But I enjoyed exploring it. If only the weatherman had cooperated and given me blue skies. Ah well, you can't have everything.
Lynn, MA
Hamilton, Ontario
Not a bulb was left in this old arrow, but imagine how this sign must have looked back in the day, when it was completely lit. At night I bet it was spectacular.
(Update: This was photographed at the corner of Barton and James...google streetview shows the arrow unfortunately disappeared sometime in 2018.)
Was therapeutic to get out and do some walking around with the camera to break up the pandemic monotony. Just can't get over how quiet everything is.
I've applied a preset here to get kind of a Kodacolor/nostalgic vibe, but I think it's one of my recent favorites either way. Would love to know what you think.
July 2020
Along South Broadway
Englewood, Colorado
the sparsely occupied remains of the peachtree mall, left derelict after a flood in 1986.
mamiya 6MF 50mm f/4. kodak portra 160. lab: the icon, los angeles, ca. scan: epson V750. exif tags: filmtagger.
North Hollywood, CA
I have been fortunate to shoot the amazing, iconic, huge Circus Liquor neon clown many times -- but the store has other signage too! This is one of their other oh-so-cool signs.
From their web site:
"Bertini’s Restaurant has been serving patrons for over 70 years. Opened in 1943 by Charles Bertini and his wife Esther, the business has become a family tradition.
Now, three generations later, Charles and Esther’s grandson John has taken over ownership and has happily joined this longstanding family business."
Salem, Mass
Montreal, Quebec
I'm always on the lookout for ghost signs...discovering this one in downtown Montreal, in both English and French, was a great find.
It is with sadness that I learned this iconic LA neon sign was taken down yesterday. It has been "rescued" by Valley Relics Museum, that's the good news, they are going to try to restore it -- but it is truly awful that it will no longer be the local landmark that it had been for decades. Sigh. (I first shot this sign back in 2014 and when we were in LA this spring, I wasn't going to re-shoot it, but something compelled me to change my mind. I am so glad I got the chance to see it one last time.)
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Montreal, Quebec
At the corner of St Laurent and Sherbrooke, my eyes were drawn to this amazing street art. I checked google street-view and while the chicken restaurant is now gone, thankfully the art remains.
mamiya 6MF 50mm f/4. kodak portra 160. lab: the icon, los angeles, ca. scan: epson V750. exif tags: filmtagger.
Spotted this on the way to Jungle Jim's grocery store on our journey south.
Fairfield, OH (suburb of Cincinnati)
Los Angeles, CA
I would have loved to have had the time to stop and check out Charles Bukowski's favourite liquor store, the Pink Elephant. But we were facing a time crunch and knew we just didn't have the time to spare.
Maybe one day, on a return trip, I'll take the "Haunts of a Dirty Old Man" bus tour:
This giant neon chef at the Chez Plumet restaurant (open since 1956) is a joy to behold!
Granby, Quebec
My understanding is that this fried chicken restaurant closed several months ago, and this sign was taken down. It was extremely tall so that was likely quite the job. Wonder where it ended up?
Orlando, FL
UPDATE: The top of the sign went to the American Sign Museum. Thanks to Debra Jane Seltzer for the info!
Thunderbird Inn, 611 W Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401
Shot on iPhone 5 using Hipstamatic -- GSquad lens, Ina's 1982 film, no flash.
Hollywood, CA
Located in the historic and famous Max Factor building, this Mel's opened in 2001. The chain started in San Francisco, way back in 1947.
US 192
Kissimmee, FL
Pretty colourful, eh? With its clever name and eye-catching exterior, the Cheesesteak Factory was obviously designed to attract customers. Unfortunately I'll never know if the riot of colour extended to the inside, as the timing was never right for me to be one of those customers and now, it's closed. And, the new occupants have painted the exterior.....white! Quite a change.
Los Angeles, CA
Wilshire Center, a neighbourhood centrally located in Los Angeles, has a pretty spiffy sign.
The circular neon portion of this old sign, upper-right, constantly flashes between the martini glass you see here, and a neon orange/red "Ribs".
Chicago, IL
Toronto, ON -- Order something with bacon. Best bacon I've had in a restaurant in a long, long time.
Corbin, KY
When I was a teenager, I babysat for the family next door -- a single mom with two young daughters. She became like a big sister to me. One summer, she gave me a beautiful metal pin/brooch that was styled just like a Pepsi bottle cap. It was very heavy, not flimsy at all. I treasured it, then and now.
This unique neon sign reminds me so much of that gift. I don't think I've ever seen a Pepsi bottle cap neon sign before.