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Oakland Signs (page 1)

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Glenview Shoe Repair
Oakland, CA		 French Cleaners
Oakland, CA
Glenview Shoe Repair opened in the 1930s. This appears to be a recent replica sign. For more, see this website. [map]

The French Cleaners read "Bellevue Cleaners" until it was reworked and covered with plastic around 2005. It may have been built in the 1950s. The sign is now protected from vandals by a clear plastic covering. However, I don't believe it's lit at night anymore. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

G&G Hardware
Oakland, CA
2008: 2018:
G&G Hardware opened in 1947 and closed in 2004. In 2012, the Pizzaiolo Restaurant moved into the building and had the sign restored by Neon Works. The Ruud Plumbing sign was removed at this time. For more, see this website. [map]

The Alley
Oakland, CA
The Alley opened in 1934, just as prohibition ended. The sign's ripple tin panels probably indicate that this sign is pre-1950s. It might have been installed in 1944 when the bar's interior was redone. The letters are lit with turquoise-green neon. The sign is about seven feet long. It was repainted around 2007. For more, see this website. [map]

Island Market
Oakland, CA		 Piedmont
Piano Co.
Oakland, CA		 Rhea's Salon of Beauty [gone]
Oakland, CA		 7-Eleven
Oakland, CA
The Island Market sign is probably from the 1950s. [map]

The Piedmont Piano Co. sign was adapted from the California Art Supply store. Before that, the sign advertised for the California Furniture Company store. I believe the building and sign were built in 1946 for the California Motor Car Company and that the sign was adapted for the furniture store. [map]

Rhea's Salon of Beauty is long gone but this sign remained. It was probably from the 1950s. This photo is from 2014. The sign was removed around 2018.

There are a handful of these 7-Eleven signs remaining in Northern California. They are probably from the 1960s or 1970s. [map]

Smitty's Cocktails
Oakland, CA

2014:
2024:
Smitty's Cocktails opened in 1932. The 11-foot-wide facade sign was originally a blue porcelain enamel panel which advertised for "Perry's" bar. It was painted over and neon was created for Smitty's. In 1952, the 7 foot-wide projecting painted sign with a freestanding neon martini on top was added. The signs' green panels were painted grey in 2015. The bar closed in 2020 and, by 2022, the martini glass was broken and nestled in the Smitty's letters on the north-facing panel. In 2023, the bar's new owners decided to have the sign restored for Smitty's Lounge, the new name. A missing flasher was installed enabling "Smitty's" and the martini on the projecting sign to flash on and off. [map]

Sage Motel
Oakland, CA		 Rio Motel [gone]
Oakland, CA		 George's Laundry & Dry Cleaners
Oakland, CA
The Sage Motel sign appears to be from the 1950s or 1960s. In 2019, the neon was removed and the letters are now backlit plastic. [map]

The Rio Motel sign was probably from the 1950s. The motel was demolished in 2011 and the sign is gone. For more, see this website.

George's Laundry & Dry Cleaners opened in 1956. This sign may be from then. [map]

Hotel Harrison
Oakland, CA		 Sutter
Hotel [gone]
Oakland, CA		 Oakland Imported Cars
Oakland, CA		 Hooper's Chocolates
Oakland, CA
The Hotel Harrison was built around 1914. This sign is probably from the 1920s or 1930s. The neon was restored in 2019. [map]

The Sutter Hotel was built around 1927. This sign appears to be from then. Around 2022, the sign was adapted for the Found Residences. It's been painted black and has plastic letters. [map]

These signs at Oakland Imported Cars are probably from the 1950s. I don't know what the original business name was. [map]

Hooper's Chocolates was established in 1925 as Margaret Burnham Cottage Candies. In the 1950s, the name was changed to Hooper's Chocolates. The sign appears to be from then. The store closed around 2010 but the sign remains. This photo is from 2014. The building now houses a thrift store. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Talco's
Oakland, CA		 Kay Chesterfield Upholstery [gone]
Oakland, CA		 Fratellanza Club
Oakland, CA
The Talco's bar sign features letters installed over louvered metal slats. The sign is probably pre-1950s. However, the letters may have been added later. [map]

Kay Chesterfield Upholstery was established in 1921. The sign is probably from the 1940s or 1950s. In 2022, the business moved and the sign is now displayed inside the company's new location. For more, see this website.

The Fratellanza Club was established in 1932. This sign appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s. The sign has a ZEON badge next to the "C" in Club. For more, see this website. [map]

Children's Hospital
Oakland, CA		 Sunshine Biscuits
Oakland, CA
The Children's Hospital sign is probably from the 1950s or slightly earlier. [map]

This Sunshine Biscuits sign is installed on the roof of the former Sunshine Biscuits factory. The factory was built in 1942. This sign is probably from then or the 1950s. The factory closed in 1995 when the company was purchased by Keebler. This sign remains although the building now houses other tenants. The missing panels with the chef's head have been missing for years. There was what appeared to be an even older sign in Kansas City, KS which was removed in 2009. For more, see this website. [map]

Pacific Saw Works
Oakland, CA		 Art's Crab Shak
Oakland, CA
Pacific Saw Works is long gone but this sign remains. It was probably built in the 1940s or 1950s. The faded paint reads "Lawn Mower" indicating that the shop probably repaired mowers and/or sharpened lades. [map]

Art's Crab Shak opened as Art's Steakhouse in 1963. This sign appears to be from then. I have not seen four rows of tubing like this on any other sign. In 1992, the restaurant became Art's Crab Shak and the lower panels were updated. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

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