Squirt's Bar (Gone)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The bright red neon at Squirt's Bar was hard to miss after dark. Glowing through the front window and reflecting off the curtains inside, it gave the place a look that almost belonged in an old film noir. 06-07

Neighborhood taverns like this were once common throughout the Midwest, each with its own personality. The simple red neon transformed an ordinary storefront into something memorable and made Squirt's stand out to anyone passing by.

Today, both the bar and its neon are gone. It's another reminder that even the simplest signs can leave a lasting impression.

UPDATE: Squirt's Bar has closed, and the red neon window sign has been removed. 07-26

Leath Furniture (Gone)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The towering neon blade sign at Leath Furniture was a familiar sight in downtown Marion for many years. Rising above the sidewalk, it was the kind of sign that made downtown shopping districts feel a little more alive after dark. 06-07

Located across from the Grant County Courthouse, the store occupied a prominent corner in one of Marion's classic commercial buildings. Like many Leath Furniture locations throughout the Midwest, the Marion store featured a large vertical sign that was impossible to miss.

The furniture store eventually closed, and the building found a new purpose. Unfortunately, the impressive neon blade sign disappeared as well, joining the long list of downtown signs that are now only memories.

UPDATE: The Leath Furniture store is gone, and the iconic neon blade sign has been removed. 07-26

Leo's Tavern (Removed)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The window neon at Leo's Tavern left little doubt about what was waiting inside. With its bright "LIQUOR" display glowing after dark, it was the kind of neighborhood tavern sign that naturally caught your attention as you drove by. 06-07

Located at the corner of 32nd Street and Washington Street, Leo's was a longtime local gathering place before eventually giving way to RP's Pub. Like many classic taverns, the business may be gone, but longtime residents probably remember that glowing window almost as much as the bar itself.

Unfortunately, the neon disappeared when the building changed hands, taking another small piece of Marion's roadside character with it.

UPDATE: Leo's Tavern has closed, and the window neon sign is gone. 07-26

Marsh Supermarket (Gone)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The Marsh Supermarket sign was another classic Marion marquee that has disappeared over the years. Like so many Marsh signs across Indiana, it was a familiar landmark that let you know you were almost home. 06-07

Marion was home to two Marsh stores over the years, and both eventually closed as the grocery chain faded away. One location on South Adams Street has been repurposed as the Don Wood Foundation Engineering Hall, while the former Northgate Shopping Center store found new life as Needler's Fresh Market.

The vintage Marsh pylon, with its glowing neon lettering, was typical of the chain's colorful mid-century signs that once stood outside stores across Indiana. They weren't flashy, but they became part of the landscape and are fondly remembered by many Hoosiers.

Like so many grocery store signs, this one quietly disappeared as the property changed over the years. It's another reminder that even everyday places can become nostalgic once they're gone.

UPDATE: Both Marsh stores in Marion are gone, and the vintage neon supermarket marquee has been removed. 07-26

Hot Shots Inc (Gone)
Marion, IN
Photo courtesy Alan Culley

The glowing red neon at Hot Shots Inc. certainly lived up to the business name. After dark, the bright lettering gave the storefront a "red hot" appearance that was hard to overlook. 06-07

Unfortunately, very little is known today about the business itself, but the sign has become the memorable part of its story. Sometimes that's how it goes with old neon—the business fades away, but the sign is what people remember.

Today, both the business and the glowing red marquee are gone, making this another lost piece of Marion's roadside history.

UPDATE: Hot Shots Inc. has closed, and the red neon sign has been removed. 07-26

Marquette Photo Supply (Gone(
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2004

This early 60's Kodak Film sign on 63rd Street in Chicago at the Marquette Photo Supply still shines brightly in 2007. I'm not sure how accurate the clock is. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 06-07

For decades, Marquette Photo Supply was a destination for photographers on Chicago's South Side. Its wonderful Kodak sign, complete with a clock and glowing neon arrow, made the store just as memorable as the cameras and film inside.

Founded in 1944 by photographer Joe Herbert, the shop remained family-owned for more than 70 years. Even as photography became digital, Marquette Photo Supply continued to stock film, darkroom supplies, and hard-to-find equipment that drew photographers from across the Chicago area.

The late-1950s sign was something special. Built by the Ad Deluxe Sign Company with Kodak's approval, it featured colorful neon, an illuminated clock, and a flashing arrow that pointed customers toward the front door. Whether the clock kept perfect time was another story, but it certainly helped make the sign unforgettable.

The store closed in 2017 after Joe Herbert's passing, and the sign came down the following year. Thankfully, it wasn't scrapped. It was rescued and now resides in a private collection, preserving one of Chicago's finest camera store signs for future generations.

UPDATE: Marquette Photo Supply closed in 2017, but its iconic Kodak sign was saved and is said to be preserved in a private collection. Still wish we could see it in the wild. 07-26

ABCETS (Gone)
Blue Island, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 1999

ABCETS Inc., supplied many Chicago bowlers with bowling equipment over the years. When the bowling alleys began to close up their business dropped off. ABCETs closed in 2002. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 06-07

Located on Western Avenue in Blue Island, ABCETS served Chicagoland bowlers for many years under owner Paul Talley. As bowling leagues flourished, so did the business. But when many of the area's neighborhood bowling alleys began closing, the customer base gradually disappeared as well.

ABCETS closed in 2002, and the building was later occupied by another sporting goods business. Like so many specialty shops, it became another casualty of changing times.

UPDATE: ABCETS closed in 2002, and the original storefront sign has been removed. 07-26

Grace's Furniture
Chicago, IL
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2005

I stopped dead in my tracks one night cruising Milwaukee Avenue when this 3 story neon behemoth for Grace's Furniture appeared out of nowhere. It was manufactured by White Way Sign Company. Note that the business address is scripted in neon on the bottom of the sign and carpeting is also advertised. Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 06-07

The towering marquee features a looping neon flourish that flows into a large arrow pointing toward the store. Look closely and you'll even spot the building's address glowing in script neon near the bottom, along with an advertisement for carpeting. It's the kind of over-the-top design that made Chicago famous for its spectacular commercial signs.

Grace's Furniture closed in 2011, and the building sat vacant for years. Thankfully, the sign never came down. In fact, public support for saving it helped inspire Chicago's 2023 Vintage Sign Ordinance, which protects historically significant commercial signs throughout the city.

Today, the building is being redeveloped into the Logan Square Athletic Club, and the famous White Way sign is being fully restored. Instead of disappearing like so many others, it's getting a second chance to light up Milwaukee Avenue for years to come. In fact, this sign is located close to the Logan Theatre.

UPDATE: Grace's Furniture is gone, but its iconic White Way sign survives and is currently being restored as part of the building's redevelopment. 07-26