 C&S Liquor Store
Memphis, TN
Photo courtesy Sherry McGee
Here's one old Memphis liquor sign that's almost faded back into the wall. The C&S Liquor Store lettering was still hanging on when this shot was taken, although the paint had already seen plenty of better days. 09-06
Not much seems to be known about C&S itself, including exactly where in Memphis the store once stood or how long it was in business. By 2006, the liquor store was already long gone, leaving only the weathered painted sign behind.
That's sometimes all you need for a good roadside stop. A few faded letters on an old building and just enough left to wonder what the place looked like when the sign was new.
UPDATE: The exact location has not been confirmed, so the current status of the building and the C&S Liquor Store ghost sign is unknown. 08-26
 Drive-in Liquors
Bowling Green, KY
Photo courtesy Bruce R. Cassi / 2005
Don't let the bright red & yellow colors of the Drive-in Liquors sign confuse you, it's not part of the Shell gas station next door that sports the same colors on their sign. Wow, and to think back to 2005 gas was only $2.17! Many thanks to Bruce R. Cassi for info. 06-07
Take another look and there's a little time capsule hiding in the background. The Shell sign has regular gas posted at $2.17 a gallon. Those days are gone, but at least the picture is still around to prove they really happened. 2005
Drive-in liquor stores are certainly nothing unusual around Kentucky, but this one had the roadside look down pretty well. Big lettering, plenty of color and a sign tall enough to catch your attention from down the road. The matching red and yellow colors of the Shell station next door almost make the two signs look like they belong together.
Not much is known about Drive-in Liquors itself, including exactly where in Bowling Green it was located or how long it operated. But judging by that sign, finding the place when it was time to pick up a six-pack probably wasn't much of a problem.
UPDATE: The current status of Drive-in Liquors and its roadside sign is unknown. 08-26
 Windmill Beverages
Huntsville, AL
Photo courtesy Rick Ibsen
Windmill Beverages is a chain in the Huntsville, Alabama area. All of their stores (at least the ones I saw) feature this neon sign. Many thanks to Rick Ibsen for info. 04-09
Windmill has been serving North Alabama for more than 35 years, growing into a small regional chain with stores around Huntsville and neighboring communities. Better yet, several locations have carried the same distinctive neon look.
It's always nice to find a business that still understands the value of a good sign. Around here, just look for the windmill.
UPDATE: Windmill Beverages remains in business with several locations around North Alabama, and its familiar roadside identity is still going strong. 08-26
 Big Jack Liquor (Gone)
Boston, KY
Photo courtesy Kevin Newman
Here's a gem of a roadside sign found in the town of Boston, KY. Located off the "Bourbon Trail", Big Jack Liquor & Beer features a huge jug of a sign. This big jug is so tempting that Whitey and the Beaver would like the photographer to climb up and see what's inside. Many thanks to Kevin Newman for info. 11-09
Big Jack sat along Boston Road in Nelson County, right in Kentucky bourbon country. The oversized jug made a fitting landmark for a package store around here, especially with Bardstown and the Bourbon Trail just down the road.
The liquor store eventually closed, reportedly after neighboring Hardin County went wet and changed the local liquor business considerably. The building remained afterward, although Big Jack was no longer pouring them in.
UPDATE: Big Jack Liquor is closed and the building has been used for other purposes. The old jug sign is no longer at the roadside location. 08-26
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