Spinning J Bakery & Soda Fountain Chicago, IL

The Spinning J Bakery & Soda Fountain opened in 2015. The facade sign was installed then. The projecting sign was added in 2016. It came from a closed bakery in Cincinnati and was reworked in 2015. The top originally read "Dainty Maid" and the bottom read "Fine Pastries." The top of the other side of the sign now reads "Pie - Ice Cream." For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

The Clipper Chicago, IL	Melrose Restaurant Chicago, IL

The Clipper bar opened in 1937. It was renamed the California Clipper in 1999. The bar is located on California Ave. This sign is probably from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map] These neon signs at the Melrose Restaurant were installed by a previous restaurant. They are probably from the 1950s. They were covered up by an awning for many years. In 2011, the signs were discovered when the owner removed the old awning. They are barely visible now behind slanted canopies for Eggsperience. [map]

Hans' Delicatessen Meyer Chicago, IL
2006:		2010:

Hans' Delicatessen Meyer opened in the 1950s, specializing in German foods. The store closed in 2007. However, the sign was saved and is now displayed inside Gene's Sausage Shop which took over the space.

Roeser's Bakery Chicago, IL

Roeser's Bakery opened in 1911. The vertical projecting sign was built in 1946. The neon facade sign is probably from 1953 when the storefront was remodeled. The ice cream sign was a later addition, possibly the 1960s. The panel beneath the ice cream sign was originally a digital clock/temperature sign. For more, see this website. [map]

Rothschild Liquors E. 63rd St. Chicago, IL

Rothschild Liquors [gone] Chicago, IL	Rothschild Liquors [gone] Chicago, IL

Rothschild Liquors had several locations in town with signs like these. The sign on E. 63rd St. is still there although the store closed in 2020. I believe this is the only sign left on public display. I have heard that it might be for sale. [map] The store on the bottom left closed in 2016 and the sign was removed. The sign on the store on the bottom right was still there in 2018 but gone by 2019. This sign on Madison St. is also gone now.

Foremost Liquors Chicago, IL	Valumost Liquors Chicago, IL

This Foremost Liquors sign is probably from the 1950s. In 2025, it was announced that the store would be moving and looking to sell this sign. There is another Foremost sign on N. Cicero Ave. For more, see this website. [map] Valumost Liquors has two bulb and neon signs at this location. The horizontal sign originally read Foremost but has been painted to conceal those letters. The vertical sign also read Foremost originally before it was painted over for Valumost. But 2024, those top letters have been covered with black paint. For more, see this website. [map] Another Foremost Liquor sign was adapted later for Morand's. The little add-on "Morand's" panel was later removed and "Buy Low" was painted over. You can still make out the Foremost letters under the black paint. The store still operates as Morand's Liquor. [map]

Central Buy Low Liquors Chicago, IL	Peacock Liquors Chicago, IL	Honeybear Cafe Chicago, IL

Central Buy Low Liquors was originally a Foremost Liquors like those above. This location was there by 1956 and the sign was probably from around then. The "Central" and "Buy Low" panels were tacked on by 2007. In 1956, there were at least 8 Foremost locations in Chicago. By 1976, there were 21 Foremost locations in Chicago and another 30 in the suburbs. I don't know how many of them had neon signs. [map] The Peacock Liquors store closed around 2021 but this sign remains. It appears to be from the 1950s. For more, see this website. [map] The Honeybear Cafe opened in 2020. The plastic sign panel on top previously advertised for the A&T Pancake House & Grill. I don't know what business the sign was built for originally. It is probably from the 1950s or 1960s. [map]

Heart O' Chicago Motel Chicago, IL	Alliance Bakery Chicago, IL	O.K. Used Cars Chicago, IL

The Heart O' Chicago Motel and this sign were built in 1957. For more, see this website. [map] The Alliance Bakery opened here in 1923. This sign is probably from the 1940s or 1950s. For more, see this website. [map] This O.K. Used Cars sign has been installed in the used car lot at Rogers Auto Group since at least 2007. It may have been there much longer. The company was founded in 1943 as Rogers Auto Sales. These signs were mass-produced for Chevrolet's used car dealerships. [map]

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Copyright. All photos at this website are copyrighted and may only be used with my consent. This includes posting them at Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, other websites, personal use, etc. Tips & Updates. If you have suggestions about places that I haven't covered, historical info, or updates about places/things that have been remodeled or removed, I'd love to hear from you: roadarch@outlook.com.