Oldies But Goodies in Brooklyn was founded in 1972 by Eveyln Barbarino.

This small #storefront carries a wide variety of #antique #jewelry, figurines, bric-a-brac, and assorted household items. We love the #handpainted #sign, which is original. Evelyn told us that although "I've had it repainted two times, I am not going to touch it again because it now has great character. I love that it has faded and chipped areas from the rain and snow hitting it though the years." Photo from 2013 appears in our newly released book "Store Front II-A History Preserved" along with a full interview with Evelyn.

At McSorley's. Hudson, East Village, NYC.

Richard's Barber Shop in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. ‬

This ‪#‎barber‬ shop not only had an amazing old ‪#‎sign‬ and ‪#‎handpainted‬ gold leaf lettering in the window but also had stenciled ‪#‎barbershop‬ tools including scissors, razors and brushes along the top of the roll gate. We also loved all the old ‪#‎signage‬ in the windows showing the variety of ‪#‎hair‬ cuts and styles they specialized in. 35 mm film photo is from 2004 and appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". Sadly this Nostrand Avenue ‪#‎storefront‬ went out of business in 2006 and was replaced by an instant refund tax center with very bland signage.

Power Plant, NY

‪#‎abandoned‬

Zion Bott. Wks. Far Rockaway, NYC. ‬

This gorgeous ‪#‎vintage‬ bottle was hand-blown in Czechoslovakia in the 1800s (its maker mark is stamped on the bottom of the ‪#‎antique‬ bottle). This thick and heavy blue glass ‪#‎bottle‬ is etched with a great logo of the long-gone Zion Bottle Works of Far Rockaway, Queens. Far Rockaway is a thin sliver of land jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean and began being settled by Jews in the second-half of the 1800s and is sometimes referred to as "Torah by the Sea". We were lucky enough to find this ‪#‎seltzer‬ bottle on the Lower East Side and now proudly display it alongside our vintage camera collection. If anyone knows anything about Zion Bottle Works, please let us know as we were not able to get any info on it. ‪

Little Lebowski Greenwich Village, NYC Closed

Little Lebowski in Greenwich Village was a store dedicated to the 1999 Coen Brothers' film "The Big Lebowski". It sold a variety of Big Lebowski T-shirts and merchandise and had cardboard cut-outs of characters and a TV playing "Lebowski" on loop. The owner, Roy Preston originally opened the store as a children's bookstore in 2007 before transitioning into selling Lebowski tribute items in 2010. Sadly the store closed in October 2015 as business, which mostly relied on tourists, declined.

STORE FRONT II – A History Preserved: A book program with photodocumentarians James & Karla Murray

We held a "Store Front II - A History Preserved" book discussion/slideshow of our photographs and oral histories on Tuesday, April 19, 2016 at the Sixth Street Community Center in the East Village, NYC for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP). A video recording of the event is available to watch:

https://youtu.be/4U2RDo2sIZc

Spring. Late afternoon, Sunday. Washington Square Park, Greenwich Village NYC.

1963 Chevy Impala

Deriving its name from the African antelope of the same name, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United States. The 1963 Impala featured rectilinear styling with an engine-turned aluminum rear taillight panel surrounded by a chrome border on SS models. Engine choice was similar to 1962, with the small-block 283-and-327-cubic-inch (4.6 and 5.4 L) V8s most popular. The Sport Sedan featured a new, creased roof line. A new "coved" instrument panel with simple indicator lights for hot and cold engine conditions. An optional factory tachometer was built into the dashboard, just above the steering wheel; it was rarely ordered.

Before sunset, Tompkins Square Park Hawks and nest, yesterday East Village, NYC

Cosmos Parcels East Village, NYC

Cosmos Parcels in the East Village had a great #handpainted #sign. Sadly it has closed but we hope that the #signage was saved. #storefront #disappearingfaceofnewyork

STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved - German magazine “Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin“ 04.16

The print magazine's special page “Kosmos” where the publication recommends products they like to their readers. Our book STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved is featured. SZ-Magazin is the weekly supplement of Süddeutsche Zeitung, Germany’s biggest daily newspaper. It reaches about 1.5 million readers each week. Edgy and intellectual, the magazine tends to cover stories that are unusual in the German media landscape. It has won several international awards for extraordinary visuals and layouts each year.

Ever Ready Furniture has satisfied customers since 1935.

How can you compete with that great ‪#‎signage‬ with the ‪#‎script‬ lettering and 12 showroom floors full of ‪#‎furniture‬ and ‪#‎appliances‬!

Nathan's Famous Coney Island Brooklyn NYC

Nathan's Famous was opened in 1916 by Nathan Handwerker, a Jewish immigrant from Poland. He and his wife Ida opened the ‪#‎hotdog‬ stand with $300 borrowed from their friends, the entertainers Jimmy Durante and Eddie Cantor. Nathan's became popular in ‪#‎coneyisland‬ due to its low prices, attention grabbing ‪#‎signage‬ and attractive location near the beach and amusement parks. This amazing ‪#‎neonsign‬ was installed around 1960 and was made by the Salzman Sign co. We just can't get enough of that little #hotdog guy with an apron on and a chef hat and holding a ‪#‎camera‬ and a tray of ‪#‎food‬!

Tonight! FREE! Deep in the heart of the East Village... please join us for a free "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show of photographs

Tuesday April 19th at the Sixth Street Community Center from 6:30-8:00 pm, 638 East 6th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. The event is sponsored by the Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation. The event is free but to attend please RSVP via email to: RSVP@GVSHP.org or call (212)475-9585 x35

http://www.gvshp.org/_gvshp/events/upcoming.htm#murrays

TOMORROW! Deep in the heart of the East Village...

TOMORROW! Deep in the heart of the East Village... please join us for a free "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show of photographs on Tuesday April 19th at the Sixth Street Community Center from 6:30-8:00 pm, 638 East 6th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. The event is sponsored by the Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation. The event is free but to attend please RSVP via email to: RSVP@GVSHP.org or call (212)475-9585 x35

The Sixth Street Community Center was founded by local Loisaida residents to help bring youth and community residents together through a variety of programs including after school and summer camps, sustainable agricultural programs, tenants rights and entitlement advocacy, and life skills and career development for teens. The Community Center is housed in a former abandoned synagogue which was purchased and renovated by the Sixth Street block association.

In honor of ‪#‎recordstoreday‬ which was yesterday we are posting Rebel Rebel on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village.

This ‪#‎vinyl‬ store has a great selection of ‪#‎records‬ and is always a fun place to browse. We love their ‪#‎handpainted‬ ‪#‎signage‬ and their bargain bins and crates set up in front of the store. ‪#‎storefront‬

STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved - TIME OUT 04.15.16

http://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/these-photos-show-new-yorks-disappearing-small-businesses-041516  

"Photographers James and Karla Murray have made it their mission to document the small businesses of NYC before Chase branches and frozen yogurt shops inevitably replace them all.  Their two books of photography Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York and Store Front II – A History Preserved bring together their charming shots of the mom-and-pop shops that still manage to give their neighborhoods character."

Duke's near Union Square was in business from 1995-2015.

Duke's was known for its retro vibe and Southern comfort food like Mac-and-Cheese and barbecue ribs. The space where Duke's was located as well as the adjoining restaurant City Crab will be the new location of Danny Meyer's Union Square Cafe. We are not sure what happened to all of its ‪#‎neon‬ and ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎signage‬ but hope that it was saved. Outtake from our book NEW YORK NIGHTS.

Golden Rule Liquors, West Village NYC - Free "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show

Golden Rule Liquors in the West Village was established in 1934 after the national Prohibition of alcohol ended in the United States. The gorgeous ‪#‎neonsign‬ is original and the owner told us that it was installed in 1934. We also love its beautiful window display and the ‪#‎handpainted‬ ‪#‎signage‬ in their window. Photo from 2010 and full interview appear in our newly released book "Store Front II-A History Preserved".

To see and hear more about amazing small ‪#‎momandpop‬ stores like this please join us for a free "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show of photographs on Tuesday April 19th at the Sixth Street Community Center from 6:30-8:00 pm, 638 East 6th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. The event is sponsored by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP). The event is free but to attend please RSVP via email to: RSVP@GVSHP.org or call (212)475-9585 x35 ‪#‎storefront‬ ‪#‎type‬ ‪#‎typevstime‬ ‪#‎typography‬ ‪

Village Cigars,Greenwich Village & FREE "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show

Village Cigars has been in business in Greenwich Village since 1922. It is a very uniquely shaped #cigar shop and even has a triangular mosaic marker in front of the store that has an interesting history behind it. To learn the history behind the marker and see and hear more about amazing small #momandpop stores like this please join us for a FREE "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show of photographs next Tuesday April 19th at the Sixth Street Community Center from 6:30-8:00 pm, 638 East 6th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. The event is sponsored by the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation (GVSHP). The event is free but to attend please RSVP via email to: RSVP@GVSHP.org or call (212)475-9585 x35

STORE FRONT II: A History Preserved - Business Insider 04.12.16

http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-of-small-businesses-in-new-york-city-2016-4 

"No two photographers have zeroed in on the issue quite like James and Karla Murray. Together the couple has made it their mission to document the city's many unique storefronts and conduct interviews with various business owners.  The resulting work has been compiled into two books: "Store Front: The Disappearing Face Of New York", and "Store Front II - A History Preserved". Ahead, a selection from their most recent release."

Sunny Gift Shop in the Bronx

Sunny Gift Shop in the Bronx has a great #handpainted #sign with an interesting array of #typography. We also love the great selection of items they sell, many of which can be seen in the window display. We wish more stores took the time and care to decorate their window but sadly it has become rarer these days. Photo from 2004 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

Claremont Liquors in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx

Claremont Liquors in the Morrisania neighborhood of the Bronx had a wonderful #vintage #neonsign as well as #handpainted #signage in the window. We loved how the "Q" was made into a #clock. Although the #liquor store is still in business, the owners modernized and replaced the #neon #sign with a plastic awning a few years ago. Photo from 2004 taken with 35mm film appears in our book, "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York".

Sunset, Stained Glass Water Tower, NYC

Russo's has been making fresh mozzarella and pasta in the East Village since 1908.

We love their ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎sign‬ and the ‪#‎handpainted‬ ‪#‎signage‬ in their window as well as their amazing ‪#‎Italian‬ ‪#‎cheese‬ and ‪#‎pasta‬ selection. They also sell delicious heros made to order on fresh-baked semolina bread including our favorite Caprese which has fresh mozzarella and sundried tomato and peppers.

To see and hear more about amazing small ‪#‎momandpop‬ stores like this please join us for a free "Store Front II-A History Preserved" book discussion/slide-show of photographs on Tuesday April 19th at the Sixth Street Community Center from 6:30-8:00 pm, 638 East 6th Street between Avenue B and Avenue C. The event is sponsored by the Greenwich Village Society For Historic Preservation The event is free but to attend please RSVP via email to: RSVP@GVSHP.org or call (212)475-9585 x35

Piccadilly Barber Shop in Crown Heights, Brooklyn

 Piccadilly Barber Shop in Crown Heights, Brooklyn had a great ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎sign‬ complete with ‪#‎script‬ lettering as well as some missing letters. It not only functioned as a great ‪#‎barber‬ shop but also as an ad hoc community center where you could hang out and get the latest neighborhood gossip. Sadly it is no longer in business.

Ascione's Pharmacy East Harlem, NYC

Ascione's Pharmacy in East Harlem was located in what was once a large ‪#‎Italian‬ enclave east of Lexington Avenue. By the 1930s, 110,000 Italians lived in this neighborhood. During the 1940s and 1950s due to severe overcrowding in the area, many Italians moved out and Puerto Ricans became the dominant group. We love this amazing ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎signage‬ with ‪#‎script‬ lettering on porcelain enamel tiles. Photo from 2003 appears in our book "Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York". ‪

Malls of America- NY Daily News 04.05.16

http://interactive.nydailynews.com/2016/04/save-mom-pop-shops-gentrification/#page1 

Features photography by: "Photographers James and Karla Murray (banner and gallery images) are the authors of “Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York” and “Store Front II: A History Preserved.” They will be hosting a free discussion for the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation on April 19 at the Sixth Street Community Center."

Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is featuring three of our neon sign photographs

Museum of Neon Art (MONA) is featuring three of our neon sign photographs printed on canvas along with the work of 60 different Sign Geeks from around the world in their new exhibit: ‪#‎SIGNGEEKS‬: Vintage Neon Photography The exhibit runs from March 11- June 19, 2016 216 S. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA 91209 231.489.9918 info@neonmona.org
http://www.new-neonmona.org/visitcontact/

Thank You Rolando Pujol of PIX11 for the photos!

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

The ‪#‎wonderwheel‬ was erected in 1920 and stands 150 feet high and holds 144 people at once. Its unusual design for a ‪#‎ferriswheel‬ incorporates sections of curved tracks connecting an outer wheel and a smaller inner wheel, with 16 swinging cars which roll back and forth between the two wheels. There are also 8 stationary cars. All of the cars give riders panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. We not only love riding on this Ferris wheel but also love the park's ‪#‎vintage‬ ‪#‎neonsign‬ depicting its colorful ride! ‪

Below: Sea Rabbit & Polar Bears Coney Island, NYC, earlier... Dr. Takeshi Yamada with his Sea Rabbit and the members of the The Coney Island Polar Bear Club. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club is the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States. They swim in the Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island every Sunday from October through April. The Coney Island Polar Bear Club was founded by Bernarr Macfadden in 1903 as it was his belief that a dip in the ocean during the winter can be a boon to one's stamina, virility and immunity. 
Water Temperature: 33 degrees F
Air Temperature: 37 degrees F
Wind chill Temperature 29 degrees

Below: Hudson, Coney Island Brooklyn. Windy...

Below: Hudson on The Boardwalk, Coney Island Brooklyn

100th Street Candy Store in Harlem NYC

 100th Street Candy Store in Harlem has one of our favorite types of ‪#‎signage‬, a great ‪#‎font‬ surrounded by chasing multi-color lights. This ‪#‎candy‬ store was founded in the 1970s and the owner told us that the "sign is original, although it did have more lights surrounding it years ago." We also love "tickets and things."

Little Records in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

This #record store in the heart of this #Italian neighborhood of #Brooklyn specialized in #vinyl and tapes imported from #Italy. They also oddly carried clothing and imported perfume. For many years Bensonhurst was one of the most homogeneous neighborhoods in #NYC and by 1980 it had a population that was about 80% Italian. For the last 30 years it has attracted new immigrants from Asia and Russia and the Italian population has decreased. Sadly with the decreasing Italian residents, this store closed. Photo from 2009 appears in our book, "Store Front II-A History Preserved".