Bernie's Army & Navy Store (Gone)
Johnson City, NY
Photo courtesy Jay Lin

Looking for fatigues or a pair of boots? For all your surplus needs visit Bernie's Army & Navy Store in Johnson City, NY.

Originally established right after World War II to meet the booming local demand for government surplus and rugged outdoor gear, this downtown staple was a fixture along Main Street for generations. First opening down the block as Harold's Army and Navy Store, the business eventually settled into its longtime home at the corner of 255 Main Street under owner Bernard "Bernie" Smigel. Over the decades, the shop adapted its inventory to carry everything from Boy Scout gear and tough workwear to blue jeans, classic Converse sneakers, and authentic military apparel. Bernie famously hand-lettered his own in-store sale signs and helped design the distinctive storefront marquee out front, making the building an unmistakable landmark for local shoppers across the Tri-Cities area.

UPDATE: After decades of outfitting the local community, Bernie's Army & Navy Store closed its doors for good. The iconic storefront sign was saved from the scrap heap and donated to the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio, where it remains preserved on display. 08-26

Frigidaire (Gone)
Boston, MA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Here's an old Frigidaire store found in Boston, MA. 08-08

Back in the post-war boom of the 1940s and 1950s, authorized Frigidaire dealer storefronts were a common sight along city commercial strips. Backed by General Motors, the brand was such a dominant household name that "Frigidaire" became everyday slang for almost any refrigerator in the kitchen. Neighborhood showrooms like this drew in foot traffic with large display windows and bold porcelain script signage to show off the latest mid-century iceboxes, ranges, and home appliances. Over time, as appliance sales shifted to modern big-box chains, these independent city dealer shops quietly faded away.

UPDATE: Classic standalone Frigidaire showrooms have long since vanished from Boston's retail streetscapes, with their vintage porcelain signage and storefront displays removed over the years. 08-26

The Barbizon Shop (Gone)
Albany, NY
Photo courtesy Dirk Burhans

Here's a look at the classic post-war sign that once caught the eye of passing motorists along Central Avenue. The Barbizon Shop was a long-running local staple for fancy ladies' dresses, gowns, and custom on-site tailoring, setting up shop when Westgate Plaza debuted in 1957 as Albany's very first suburban strip shopping center.

The boutique kept in-house seamstresses busy fitting dresses for decades and eventually expanded around the capital district before finally closing down in 1997.

UPDATE: The Barbizon Shop closed in the late 1990s and the vintage storefront sign has since been removed. 08-26

Royer Pharmacy (Gone)
Ephrata, PA
Photo courtesy Bob Jagendorf

Take a look at the gleaming stainless steel style lettering mounted above the entrance at the corner of Main and State Street. **Royer Pharmacy** originally opened way back in 1879, going on an incredible 141-year run as one of the oldest independent family-run pharmacies in the country.

Over all those decades, the business was only ever owned by two families, eventually expanding to five locations around Lancaster County while keeping this downtown spot as its longtime anchor. The historic chain finally shut its doors in March 2020.

UPDATE: Royer Pharmacy closed in 2020 and the vintage metallic lettering was removed from the facade. The building has since reopened as another independent pharmacy. 08-26

Charm Beauty Shoppe (Closed)
Dormont, PA
Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser

Need a haircut? This sleek Art Deco storefront along West Liberty Avenue looks like a stylish throwback to an earlier era. The Charm Beauty Shoppe first opened its doors in August 1938, advertising premium cuts to South Hills customers for just $3.25.

The shop was run by the Catanzaro family for more than 70 years, with its sweeping marquee greeting thousands of passing motorists every day.

UPDATE: The business was purchased by a new owner in 2013 and now operates as Salon Atmosphere, with the original 1938 Charm Beauty Shoppe neon sign restored and still glowing out front. 08-26