The theatre opened in 1928 and then briefly closed in 1929 to make changes to transition to "talkie" sound films. The theatre was recognized for it beauty, versatility in serving early silent films, sound films, vaudeville acts and also had one of the city's first air-cooling systems. Today it serves as a community performance space. It's easy to spot on South Main Street in Hopkinsville, KY

This sign stands in front of the main location for this long-standing family-owned dry cleaning and garment care business. The cleaners opened in 1984 and has two locations in town. They stand as one of the few surviving traditional dry cleaners in the area. You can see this unique building and great vintage sign on South Virginia Street in Hopkinsville, KY

Serving hamburgers at this location since 1936 in their "Snappy Service" style. The chain began in 1929 and at it's peak had about a dozen locations. There are 3, including this one, surviving. The place is roughly the size of a generous walk-in closet, but the size of the building hasn't seemed to slow them down. It's roughly 647 square feet with a counter and about 8 stools where you sit at the counter and watch your food being prepared on a flat top grill. The burgers are

The Renaissance Hotel is housed in the historic 1925 Pere Marquette building. Keeping with the area's historic character the parking sign is a prime example of classic American vertical neon signage. You'll see it illuminated 24/7 on Common Street in New Orleans, LA

This restaurant, Cafe Sbisa, was established in 1899 and is the third oldest in New Orleans. The 1820's building originated as a ship's chandlery and bordello when sailing vessels lined the nearby riverfront. It also functioned as a bank for sailors. You wouldn't know from the outside that one of the area's oldest fine dining spots is inside. You can visit on Decatur Street in New Orleans, LA

This restaurant, pronounced "two-jacks", is the second oldest in New Orleans. It began in 1856 and has been at it's current location since 1914. The restaurant is famous for introducing the world to several firsts including the Grasshopper cocktail, created behind the unique cypress bar that was shipped over from Paris in 1856. The restaurant also served a mid-day, multi-course feast known as the "butcher's breakfast." The restaurant essentially normalized eating a massive, h

This theatre began in 1926 and has been in this location since 1935. In 1931 the owners, James and Tillie Cardwell, used a record player to add sound which was timed to scenes in the films shown in their theatre. They continued this practice until 1939. By this time, most films were made with sound. Today, the Oldham Theater doesn't smell like popcorn anymore, and the rows of velvet seats have been cleared out to make room for community gatherings, private rentals, and regula

I thought this was somehow associated to Dinty Moore canned stew, but learned that it was a man's name and he opened this restaurant around the 1930's. He ran it for around 30 years and it was run by others until some time in the 1980's. I am not sure if it was always in this location, but this building was built in 1955. The Coca-Cola sign on the front of the building says Regal Begal Restaurant. I thought this was a funny coincidence, or perhaps not, as both Dinty Moore and

This pawn business was established in 1989 in a building that appears to be perhaps the office of an old motel. The building is surrounded by a U-shaped row of small cottage type dwellings that were a popular design of 1940's and 1950's motels. Sadly, I was unable to find any solid historical information about the building. It's a very cool design with rounded corners and artistic brick work around the roof line. You'll see it on West Broadway Street in Newport, TN

This is one of those places that you might see in a Hallmark movie. It is the oldest continually operating business in the county. It began in 1911 in this great red brick building with the fancy roofline brickwork and yellow diamond design. Founded by Dr. Tinsley and his pharmacist nephew, then joined in 1933 by pharmacist Lloyd Bible hitching the two names together as they still are today. In 1942 the store expanded and added the historic lunch counter and soda fountain whe

I have so much appreciation for businesses who honor the history of their building or location with vintage neon signage. The Smoke and Barrel opened in 2015 in a building that was built in 1905. The space was most notably occupied by Oliver's ladies clothing store from 1946-1992. When the restaurant opened, their renovations also preserved some of the space's original character. Bravo! You can visit them on South Steele Street in Sanford, NC

I happened to spot this interesting looking building while making a gas stop. The Big Chief neon sign mounted on the building is in great shape but it appeared that whatever the building had been, it had been closed for some time. As it turns out, it actually never opened. The property has been carefully adorned with vintage memorabilia and was one man's vision that was never fulfilled. The neon sign was originally used at the Big Chief Motel in Bean Station, TN. The building

Since 2011, this towering pale green saguaro cactus, rising out of the asphalt, has been the mascot for Cinco Amigos Mexican Restaurant. The building behind the sign perfectly matches the signs energy and color. It's not hard to spot this giant cactus on North Willow Avenue in Cookeville, TN

Named in honor of the nearby Sawtooth Mountains, this club is one of the few historic storefronts along Arco's main streets that remains active. The date of it's opening or years in operation are a bit of a mystery, but the sign probably dates to the 1950's or 1960's. You can stop by for yourself on West Grand Avenue in Arco, ID

This unique looking building was historically known as the Arco Recreation Hall. It was constructed in 1937 and 1938 as a gymnasium using local basalt (lava rock). The nature of the rocks required them to be used in their randomly shaped and sized form which, along with the barrel-vaulted roof, give the building it's distinctive look. The sign was added around 1955 when the city earned the honor of being the first city on Earth to be lit entirely by atomic power. For a little

The club was opened in 1953 as a bar and dance hall. At some point the steak house restaurant was added. It was purchased by Harvey and Betty Helderman in 1955. They, and later their son, ran it for over 60 years. Great word play on Melody for the name. You can still see this great neon sign on Sunset Drive in Arco, ID

This store had it's beginnings during the scandalous reign of Governor Ray Blanton. The Oak Liquor store was tied to a retail liquor license application by R.B. Sowell in 1977. The Blanton administration was infamous for corruption in regards to the illegal sale of these licenses. Blanton was eventually convicted of conspiracy, mail fraud and extortion for controlling who received highly sought-after retail liquor store licenses. This could, of course, have no connection to t

Alex Madonna opened the inn in 1958 with 12 rooms that quickly expanded to 110 themed rooms, a bakery, restaurant, wine cellar, coffee shop, cocktail lounge, spa, gift shop and much more. All with a lot of pink. It looks like it was designed by a Barbie dreamhouse enthusiast. I'm not a big pink fan, but I have to say that I totally didn't hate it. This place is great! Definitely worth a visit. Stop by and embrace the pink on Madonna Road in San Luis Obispo, CA

The pub began in 2008. The building that it is located in was built in 1920. I couldn't find what the origins of the building were but it may have always been some kind of eating establishment as I found an application for a liquor license by the Tamo Brothers in 1933. They were an early Swiss-Italian immigrant family of the time. You can see the retro neon sign on historic Higuera Street in San Luis Obispo, CA

This historic neon sign has been standing at the Rancho Super Car Wash since 1966. Adding to 5 car washes in Washington state, this sign was originally created for an additional car wash in Portland but was packed into a moving truck with the families other belongings, rebuilt and installed at this location where it has become a treasured landmark. Locals have so much pride in the sign that in 2023 it was awarded a full historic designation to ensure it will remain as a perma