Arby's Roast Beef #vintage #neonsign in Richmond, VA.

To continue our posts highlighting spectacular #neon that graces businesses other than the usual small, independent #storefronts we document, we had to include this beauty with the ten-gallon #hat! The first Arby's opened in 1964 in Boardman, Ohio and featured a Conestoga wagon-style building and a #sign similar to this one. Although we are not sure what date this one was installed we imagine it was in the 1960s. If anyone knows the date please let us know! #signage #signgeeks #roastbeef #neongeeks #rva #everything_signage #trb_ipoft_signs #ipulledoverforthis #gas_food_lodging

"A Friendly Photographic Reminder That CBGB Is Now a Boutique Outlet" By Beckett Mufson — Jan 29 2016 For VICE's the creators project

http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/then-and-now-photographs-of-nyc


"These businesses are caught in the crossfire of gentrification, and the cacophonous conversation about whether it's a tragedy that must be stopped or an inevitable, harmless economic phenomenon. Regardless of your philosophy, take a moment to appreciate the unstoppable march of time these images represent. Reject or embrace the march, it's fascinating to see it summarized in a single image."

Manganaro Grosseria Italiana in Helll's Kitchen was founded in 1893.

Our photo of Manganaro Grosseria Italiana was taken in 2004 using 35mm film and appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". The store had old-fashioned tin ceilings and ‪#‎vintage‬ showcases stocked with ‪#‎Italian‬ ‪#‎food‬ specialties like prosciutto, sausages, olive oil and pasta. Sadly they closed in 2012 although the family owned the building they were located in. When we interviewed the third-generation owner Linda Dell'Orte for our Store Front book she told us that she was the only one left in the family who had any interest in the business.

Gramercy Cafe on Third Avenue and 17th Street near Gramercy Park is open 24/7.

This ‪#‎diner‬ had a great ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎neonsign‬ on its roof but it was recently replaced by an LED lit plastic version. We are not sure why it was replaced but imagine it has somethings to do with the high cost of maintaining a ‪#‎neon‬ ‪#‎sign‬ in New York City, where it is exposed to all types of weather including blizzards and heavy rain, which typically "shorts out" a letter or two. We loved its ‪#‎script‬ and block ‪#‎lettering‬ in both blue and red colors.
Photo from 2010 appears in our book "New York Nights". NEW YORK NIGHTS is the winner of The New York Society Library's 2012 New York City Book Award  The New York City Book Awards, established in 1996, honor books of literary quality or historical importance that evoke the spirit or enhance appreciation of New York City.

1962 Dunkin Donuts Neon Sign

Dunkin' Donuts #vintageneon sign from 1962. While we always try to support and document small mom-and-pop stores, we also love and appreciate amazing #neon #signs like this one! The older woman working behind the counter inside this Lake Park, FL store told us that this location had until recently been the last remaining full-service Dunkin' Donuts #diner in the world, complete with a restaurant and grill. They served breakfast items including pancakes, eggs and grits and restaurant-style meals including hamburgers and fries. At one time@dunkindonuts operated about 100 diners like this. Although the restaurant's grill is now gone, we are really glad they saved this #neonsign!

CUP & SAUCER Lower East Side, NYC

CUP & SAUCER on Canal Street at Eldridge Street on the Lower East Side was founded in 1940 as a Jewish ‪#‎luncheonette‬ complete with a lunch counter and stools as well as a small seating area. Inlaid on the terrazzo floor is a gold cup and saucer. It has been co-owned by John Vasilopoulos and Nick Castanos since 1988. Photo from 2009 and full interview (excerpt seen below) from our new book "STORE FRONT II - A History Preserved".
"We took over this luncheonette from the second owner in 1988, but we haven’t really changed a thing about it. We have the same interior and the same original ‪#‎signage‬ from the Coca-Cola Company. As long as the bolts holding our sign in place hang on, we plan to keep it."Cup & Saucer was founded when this area was the center of the Jewish-owned jewelry trade. Now most of the ‪#‎Jewish‬ jewelry places have closed and moved to the midtown Diamond District and Chinese-owned stores have moved into the neighborhood. So we lost most of our old-time customer base and corporate accounts. Years back, we had our regular clientele who didn’t even have to place an order, we would just see them walk in and start cooking their food and pouring their coffee for them. Our menu, however, has stayed the same with#eggs in the morning and ‪#‎hamburgersand‬ simple sandwiches for lunch."

John Vasilopoulos, co-owner John told us recently that the building they are located was just sold to new owners and he expects the rent to double. Go in there now and grab a breakfast special of two eggs any style with ‪#‎potatoes‬, toast and coffee, tea or juice for only $5.00

Our‬ visit to Cup & Saucer was featured in Metro. "As NYC wrestles to keep local businesses open, couple keep documenting dying storefronts James and Karla Murray's sequel to 'Store Fronts' comes at a time when local leaders are fighting to preserve old-school streetscapes. " Chester Soria for Metro

http://www.metro.us/new-york/as-nyc-wrestles-to-keep-local-businesses-open-couple-keep-documenting-dying-storefronts/zsJoio---sRrXUsEJX33g/

1956 Oldsmobile Super 88

The Super 88 was available in 18 solid colors and 19 two-tone color combinations. All models came with wrap-around windshields and rear windows. Horsepower was 240.

Tompkins Square Park, earlier... East Village, NYC.

Domenick's Shoe Repair Brooklyn, NYC. Closed.

Domenick's Shoe Repair in Brooklyn had one of the best ‪#‎handpainted‬ ‪#‎signs‬ complete with a character holding a massive ‪#‎shoe‬ which looked it had just been re-soled. Sadly this shop which not only repaired ‪#‎shoes‬ but also sold umbrellas is no longer in business. Photo is from 2004.

Exterior of the former restaurant Florent in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan.

Florent Morellet opened his own restaurant in an old #diner called R&L on Gansevoort Street and kept its original #signage as well as the Formica lunch counter. Florent was open 24/7 for almost 23 years before it closed in 2008 after its rent was raised to more about $30,000 a month. When it first opened in 1985 rent was $1,350 a month. The space still sits empty today. Gentrification and escalating real estate prices have definitely caused many small shops and #restaurant to close in #NYC.

DiSalvo Bakery in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn is sadly no longer in business.

We loved its #vintage #neonsign even though it was not functioning when we took this photo in 2010, which appears in our newly released book, "STORE FRONT II- A History Preserved."
An assortment of NEW Prints are now available including this photo! Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II.

Vasquez Grocery Bushwick, Brooklyn. Closed.

Vasquez Grocery Bushwick, Brooklyn no longer in business. This corner ‪#‎bodega‬ with the handpainted ‪#‎signage‬ taken in 2004 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". Although these classic bodegas are rapidly disappearing from the streets of NYC, we also included some photos of them in our newly released book "STORE FRONT II- A History Preserved".

1951 Chevy Fleetline

The Fleetline was referred to as a "fastback" because of its distinct sloping roof which extended through to the trunk lid. The Fleetline series is highly collectable today, because of its sleek looks. Many are made into street rods, with the common Chevrolet 350 Small block V8 and the 350 or 400 turbo transmission being used in these vehicles. The windshield for all years of Fleetline production was a split, flat-glass type. ‪

Twilight, Thunderbird Motor Inn in Florence, South Carolina.

 The Motor Inn was built in 1967. This gigantic ‪#‎neon‬ sign can be easily seen from the highway and we imagine acts as as a major draw to the motel because the motel itself is rather unassuming. It also has a ‪#‎country‬ buffet-style restaurant, known for its southern food including fried chicken and mac and cheese.

Abbott Liquors, Brooklyn NYC Closed

Abbott Liquors in Brooklyn had one of the best original ‪#‎signs‬ using a ‪#‎whisky‬ bottle as the letter "I". We are not sure what happened to this ‪#‎vintage‬ signage when this ‪#‎liquor‬ ‪#‎store‬ closed but we would have loved to preserve it! So many ‪#‎storefronts‬ now just use generic looking plastic ‪#‎signage‬ but this one definitely harkened back to a day when a great deal of thought and care went into creating a ‪#‎sign‬.

UNTAPPED CITIES: Photos of Abandoned Port Morris Branch Train Tracks in the Bronx from the 1990s to Today 01/15/2016 at 11:00 am by Michelle Young

 "...you’ll see the Murrays’ photographs and captions showing their walk through the rail line before and after the corridor was drained, beginning at Bruckner Boulevard going north. You’ll see graffiti murals from the late ’90s and early 2000s, fascinating infrastructure, homeless encampments, and more."

http://untappedcities.com/2016/01/15/photos-of-abandoned-port-morris-branch-train-tracks-in-the-bronx-from-the-2000s-to-today/

Aldo's Coffee Shop Williamsburg, Brooklyn NYC. Closed.

Aldo's Coffee Shop in Williamsburg is no longer in business. We loved its four ‪#‎vintage‬ vacuform ‪#‎signs‬, especially the ones with the ‪#‎burger‬ and the ‪#‎hero‬ sandwich. We are not sure why it closed but imagine it may have something to do with the widespread gentrification and rent increase this ‪#‎Brooklyn‬ neighborhood has undergone in the past few years.

Dairy Luncheonette Borough Park, Brooklyn from our newly released book "STORE FRONT II- A History Preserved"

Dairy Luncheonette is a family-run ‪#‎kosher‬ eatery located in Borough Park, Brooklyn. It was founded in 1968 by Tillie and Schlomie Lieberman and is now being run by their son and daughter-in-law. We loved their simple ‪#‎signage‬ that described exactly what was being served inside! Photo from 2010 and full interview with 2nd-generation owner Roz Lieberman appear in our newly released book, "STORE FRONT II- A History Preserved."  An assortment of NEW Prints are now available including this photo! Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II.

Dixie Drifter Grocery & Variety in central Harlem is no longer in business.

This small ‪#‎grocery‬/deli sold many Southern favorites and catered to the large African-American population who moved to Harlem from the South. Sadly this business closed due to the gentrification of ‪#‎Harlem‬. We loved its ‪#‎handpainted‬ ‪#‎signage‬. from 2008 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

An assortment of NEW Prints are now available. Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II. ‪#‎storefront‬ ‪#‎typography‬ ‪#‎type‬ ‪#‎font‬ ‪#‎disappearingfaceofnewyork‬

Sustainable NYC, Ave A, East Village, NYC. Closed in 2015.

Dominique Camacho opened this 'Eco General Store and Cafe" in March 2008. She used eco-friendly paint to decorate the green-minded shop and solar power to light the sign out front. We also remember the cafe that was in this location before Sustainable, which had old furniture strewn around for hanging out.

C.F Sauer Company, Richmond, VA

In 1887 Conrad Frederick Sauer, a young pharmacist founded the company that bears his name. producing and selling pure-flavoring extracts. It was the first company in the United States to provide pure flavoring extracts in 5 and 10-gram cartoned bottles, selling them for fifteen and twenty-five cents, a small price compared to what pharmacies had been charging. The company's headquarters have been in the same location on Broad Street since 1911. They are one of the last companies in the USA that still uses the cold press method of making extract allowing their Bourbon vanilla beans to release their flavor slowly, instead of using heat-accelerated methods to quicken the steeping process.
Their Sauer's Vanilla ‪#‎sign‬ is a Richmond landmark, and is one of the few incandescently lighted signs remaining in the United States.

Times Square, NYC

An assortment of NEW Prints are now available. Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II.

Pat & Sons Salumeria in South Richmond Hill, ‪Queens‬

Pat & Sons Salumeria in South Richmond Hill, ‪#‎Queens‬ was a family-owned ‪#‎deli‬. It sadly is no longer in business. We loved its bold ‪#‎handpainted‬ ‪#‎signage‬ and the big blocks of cured ‪#‎meat‬ and ‪#‎cheese‬ hanging in the window.
Photo from 2009 appears in our newly released book "STORE FRONT II-A History Preserved".

An assortment of NEW Prints are now available. Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II. ‪

Queens Luncheonette is sadly no longer in business.

Queens Luncheonette is sadly no longer in business. We loved its ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎handpainted‬ privilege ‪#‎sign‬ provided by Optimo ‪#‎Cigars‬. You can get an idea of how old this photo is by looking at the price of a ‪#‎cigarette‬ box advertised on the ‪#‎storefront‬ facade. We used to see many stores with privilege signs (signs provided free of charge by a company in exchange for selling and advertising g their product) with the most common ones provided by Coca-Cola but as stores get modernized or go out of business the ‪#‎signage‬ is replaced. ‪#‎typography‬ ‪#‎signgeeks‬ ‪#‎font‬ #signgeeks ‪#‎type‬ ‪#‎cigar‬ ‪#‎luncheonette‬ ‪#‎queenscapes‬ ‪#‎queens‬

An assortment of NEW Prints are now available. Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II.

"These Photos Show New York's Disappearing Mom-And-Pop Stores" by Adele Peters for Co.Exist

"Take one last glimpse of the city before everything is a CVS or a bank."

http://www.fastcoexist.com/3055119/these-photos-show-new-yorks-disappearing-mom-and-pop-stores

Glaser's Bake Shop has been in business in the Yorkville section of the Upper East Side since April 2, 1902.

John and Justine Glaser established the family bakery after they emigrated from Bavaria. It is currently being run by the third-generation owners John and Herbert Jr. Glaser. Herbert told us that their "original black and white cookie is a favorite at the bakery. Our recipe is derived from the German drop cake, which basically has the same ingredients." Full interview and photo from 2004 appear in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

An assortment of NEW Prints are now available. Our limited edition signed prints range in size from 20x24 to 40x50 inches as well as a few select 11x14 prints. All C-prints are printed on Kodak Professional Endura Lustre Paper. Contact us by email or direct message for pricing and more info. Also available are signed copies of both Store Front and Store Front II.

Cityscape: NYC Storefronts with WFUV's George Bodarky

For mom and pop shops in New York City, high rents and competition from chain stores and online retailers can be insurmountable barriers. The city has seen many small businesses shutter their doors over the years as a result of these challenges. Over the past several years, husband and wife photography team James and Karla Murray have been photographing the distinctive facades of mom and pop shops throughout the five boroughs. Their first book of images called Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York came out in 2008. Karla and James are now out with a follow up book called Store Front II: A History Preserved -- The Disappearing Face of New York. Karla is our guest on this edition of Cityscape.
Listen here. - http://www.wfuv.org/content/cityscape-nyc-storefronts 

To continue highlighting small #momandpop stores in the 5 boroughs of #NYC that are still in business and that you can help support, we are posting Philip's Candy of Coney Island.

Philip's has been located in the Port Richmond neighborhood of Staten Island since 2002 but was founded in 1916 by Philip Calermis along the Boardwalk in Coney Island. John Dorman, who went to work for Philip in 1947, took over the business upon Philip's retirement in 1956. Photo from 2014 appears in our newly released book "STORE FRONT II-A History Preserved" along with a full interview with John Dorman who continues to make delicious #homemade fresh jelly #apples on a stick and #candy and hand-dipped #chocolate.

10 Small Businesses Enduring at the End of 2015 that you can still support and enjoy. http://jamesandkarlamurray.blogspot.com/2015/12/10-small-businesses-enduring-at-end-of.html Bucking the trend to lament small independent businesses New York City has lost in 2015, we are instead highlighting 10 of the many businesses in the 5 boroughs that are still enduring. We celebrate these and over 200 more mom-and-pop shops in our newly released book STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved. Each business is carefully documented photographically and most include interviews with the owners. “We hope that our project acts as an artistic intervention to help draw attention to and preserve the small shops whose existence is essential to the unique and colorful atmosphere of the city’s streets.”

Proposed Zoning Changes Raise Questions About Small Businesses by Colin O'Connor, Jan 05, 2016 for Gotham Gazette

http://www.gothamgazette.com/index.php/government/6062-proposed-zoning-changes-raise-questions-about-small-businesses 

“Small business are critical to the vitality of the community,” Rachel Meltzer, an assistant professor of urban policy at the New School’s Milano School, told Gotham Gazette. “In economics terms there are ‘positive spillovers’ in a community from having operating, lively, and functional business, but there are also benefits that extend beyond just what it means for that owner.”

Hudson, Gansevoort Plaza NYC's last day before being ripped up. Meatpacking District, NYC.