In the Delmar Loop, entrepreneur Joe Edwards has been responsible for creating some of the most interesting signage on a streetscape anywhere. With his wonderful restoration of the two story sign on the front of the Tivoli Theater, his electronic billboard on Blueberry Hill, his huge rotating moon on top of his Moonrise Hotel, his neon peacock sign on the facade of his Peacock Diner and a personal favorite, the neon pinup on the Pinup Bowl, he has created a streetscape of visual delights. No wonder the Delmar Loop was designated as one of the 10 Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association.
In Maplewood we are a bit impoverished in the signage department. We have the vintage, landmarked, neon Paramount Jewelers sign. In the Greenwood historic district (located at Greenwood and Sutton) we have a ghost Hardware sign on the side of the former Milligan’s Million Article store. They are very nice and we’re lucky to have them but we could have so much more. We have some wonderful signs in our historic photographs. We should be looking for ways to reinstall these where they once entertained and lured the sidewalk strollers.
Wouldn’t it be great to see the Katz Drugstore sign back on its original perch at the corner of Sutton and Manchester? A small storefront nearby had an amazing Art Deco explosion that created much visual excitement? Empire Supply had a great pouring paint sign. The People’s Bank had a neat one too. Citizen’s Bank had a great clock.
One of the best I’ve written about before. The marquee of the Maplewood Theater should definitely be restored. The original letters which we still have in the city garage could be icons to generations of Route 66ers. A lightweight welded aluminum frame describing the shape of the original marquee could be mounted on three poles and installed a foot away from the theater building. In that manner ownership issues could be avoided.
Our downtown is booming. Joe Edwards’ signs contribute so much to his streetscape. Shouldn’t we bring back some of our own?
12 COMMENTS
Loved this article. I agree totally. My residence is U. City…and the lighted signs do make a difference. Keep it going! Nora
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I appreciate your comment, Nora.
Manchester Rd in Maplewood looks so “FLAT” when you drive down the Rd. Its all just blends together and you never really notice anything special…we don’t need a hundred signs, just enough to make the place “POP” a little ,so it looks like a fun place to hang out…we don’t need it to look gaudy or flashy…just “COOL”..after all, our taxes have gone sky high, we may as well get something out of it!! I live right off of manchester and have often thought this area needs more unique signage…lets vote new people into office with an open mind an see if we can’t change a few of these old school ways of thinking…Come On You Younger Maplewoodians…Step up to the plate..It’s your town too!!!
I love the look of old signs! I wish they’d bring them back too. I worked in the sign industry for 7 years (’06-’13), and I’m pretty confident that they could re-create the look within the specifications of the city. Look what we did with the Fox Theatre–That was a fun one to make! (Obviously that one is more than 15″ away from the building, but my point is that the old style can be re-created) The problem is the willingness of business owners to pay for it. Signs are quite expensive, especially the more interesting ones. Also, neon is not energy efficient at all and expensive to keep lit. However, nowadays they make LED tubing that looks like neon. Manchester would sure look awesome with some old signs! I hope someone starts a trend!
I hope someone starts a trend too, Tracy. You make several interesting points. As you state, the Maplewood code would never allow for the restoration of the Fox Theater’s magnificent sign. I suspect a good case could be made for a variance should someone want to restore the marquee of the Maplewood Theater. I don’t know how we could keep all of the sign designs from getting out of hand if we relaxed our code…but someone does. Look no further than U.City. Other than the giant Tivoli sign, there is no historical precedent there for Joe Edward’s other terrific signs. His Blueberry Hill sign is flashing and animated. The Moonrise Hotel sign is animated and of a large size. Your information about the LED’s replacing the neon is a very useful tip. Much thanks for your comment.
Replying by email a fellow whom I much respect, Tom Bakersmith, had this to say:
“Thanks for the post about the old signage. As I think you know, I am always interested in the old. “Ghost” signs. Two big problems in bringing back the types of signs of old:
The Maplewood Code has very stringent requirements regarding signs. Examples:
May not project more than 15 inches from the building. As Empire Supply’s does.
No flashing or animated signs – like the old Katz sign.
Non-conforming signs which were in existence at the time the current ordinance was passed, are “grandfathered”.
All sign proposals are reviewed by the Design Review Board.”
I certainly hope our DRB will have an enlightened approach if one of these sign resurrections ever gels.
I totally support this idea!
Josh, I appreciate your vote of confidence. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in.
Doug,
I have been in contact with the current owner of the BANK plaque. I will email you the details.
Thanks
Luke
That’s great news, Luke. I was thinking it was lost.
Hi Doug – wow, would I live to see those signs restored and displayed! I can’t imagine they are just gone. The Katz sign I remember very well – very flashy!
That would be a real coup if we could someday get the big cat back. Thanks for your comments, Wanda.
Loved this article. I agree totally. My residence is U. City…and the lighted signs do make a difference. Keep it going! Nora
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I appreciate your comment, Nora.
Manchester Rd in Maplewood looks so “FLAT” when you drive down the Rd. Its all just blends together and you never really notice anything special…we don’t need a hundred signs, just enough to make the place “POP” a little ,so it looks like a fun place to hang out…we don’t need it to look gaudy or flashy…just “COOL”..after all, our taxes have gone sky high, we may as well get something out of it!! I live right off of manchester and have often thought this area needs more unique signage…lets vote new people into office with an open mind an see if we can’t change a few of these old school ways of thinking…Come On You Younger Maplewoodians…Step up to the plate..It’s your town too!!!
I love the look of old signs! I wish they’d bring them back too. I worked in the sign industry for 7 years (’06-’13), and I’m pretty confident that they could re-create the look within the specifications of the city. Look what we did with the Fox Theatre–That was a fun one to make! (Obviously that one is more than 15″ away from the building, but my point is that the old style can be re-created) The problem is the willingness of business owners to pay for it. Signs are quite expensive, especially the more interesting ones. Also, neon is not energy efficient at all and expensive to keep lit. However, nowadays they make LED tubing that looks like neon. Manchester would sure look awesome with some old signs! I hope someone starts a trend!
I hope someone starts a trend too, Tracy. You make several interesting points. As you state, the Maplewood code would never allow for the restoration of the Fox Theater’s magnificent sign. I suspect a good case could be made for a variance should someone want to restore the marquee of the Maplewood Theater. I don’t know how we could keep all of the sign designs from getting out of hand if we relaxed our code…but someone does. Look no further than U.City. Other than the giant Tivoli sign, there is no historical precedent there for Joe Edward’s other terrific signs. His Blueberry Hill sign is flashing and animated. The Moonrise Hotel sign is animated and of a large size. Your information about the LED’s replacing the neon is a very useful tip. Much thanks for your comment.
Replying by email a fellow whom I much respect, Tom Bakersmith, had this to say:
“Thanks for the post about the old signage. As I think you know, I am always interested in the old. “Ghost” signs. Two big problems in bringing back the types of signs of old:
The Maplewood Code has very stringent requirements regarding signs. Examples:
May not project more than 15 inches from the building. As Empire Supply’s does.
No flashing or animated signs – like the old Katz sign.
Non-conforming signs which were in existence at the time the current ordinance was passed, are “grandfathered”.
All sign proposals are reviewed by the Design Review Board.”
I certainly hope our DRB will have an enlightened approach if one of these sign resurrections ever gels.
I totally support this idea!
Josh, I appreciate your vote of confidence. Thanks for taking the time to weigh in.
Doug,
I have been in contact with the current owner of the BANK plaque. I will email you the details.
Thanks
Luke
That’s great news, Luke. I was thinking it was lost.
Hi Doug – wow, would I live to see those signs restored and displayed! I can’t imagine they are just gone. The Katz sign I remember very well – very flashy!
That would be a real coup if we could someday get the big cat back. Thanks for your comments, Wanda.
Comments are closed.