Monastery at Large

Category: Relic Signs

  • Chas (1972) – Norcross, Georgia

    Dan Jackson. Chas (1972). 4600 Buford Highway, Norcross, Georgia.
    Dan Jackson. Chas (1972). 4600 Buford Highway, Norcross, Georgia.1

    This friendly fella’s name is Chas, and he’s been greeting drivers north of Norcross, Georgia for over 50 years.

    Chas is made of welded iron and was designed by Dan Jackson, who was commissioned to create the sculpture circa 1972 by the owner of R&R Auto Parts,2 later succeeded by GO Pull-It.

    Location of Chas

    Chas was apparently named for Charles Newport, an employee of R&R Auto Parts from 1969 to 1977, although the figure was reportedly modeled after Newport’s brother.3

    Sounds like bullshit, but it makes for a cute yarn.

    When the nearby Buford Highway was widened to four lanes, Chas moved from the ground to the top of the sign,4 where I first met him in October 2024, following a rather muted repaint.

    Chas’ face was originally white, his tongue was red, and his eyes were blue, but that’s too much color for these dreary times, I guess.

    References

    1. Carter, Rochelle. “Like Cobb’s Big Chicken, Chas statue’s a landmark”. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, August 19, 1997, p. J1. ↩︎
    2. Ibid. ↩︎
    3. Ibid. ↩︎
    4. Ibid. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Bahi Hut (1962) – Sarasota, Florida

    Bahi Hut (1962). 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida.
    Bahi Hut (1962). 4675 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida.

    It’s no Trader Vic’s, but Florida’s oldest Tiki bar is as authentic as it gets. The Bahi Hut opened in 1962,1 2 3 next to the Golden Host Motor Hotel—the torches are still burning at both places.

    Location of Bahi Hut Cocktail Lounge

    The bar claims it began operation in 1954, but don’t ask me where they got that date from—even the adjoining motel didn’t open until 1959.4 5 Pass me a Mai Tai, and I’ll happily overlook the discrepancy.

    Golden Host Motor Hotel (1959). Sarasota, Florida. Photograph from an undated postcard published by Steinmetz Photography of Sarasota.
    Golden Host Motor Hotel (1959). Sarasota, Florida. Photograph from an undated postcard published by Steinmetz Photography of Sarasota.

    Sarasota is a hot spot for mid-20th-century Modernist architecture, with several surviving works by Paul Rudolph and other designers of the so-called Sarasota School of Architecture.

    It’s fitting that a city trading on its retro reputation still has this little slice of exotica, evoking fond memories of some moonlit night being serenaded by Les Baxter. That actually happened to me in Kansas once (thanks, KPR!).

    The sign shown above apparently debuted with the bar’s opening and was restored circa 2018.6 A hui hou.

    References

    1. “Lounge Is Opened”. Sarasota Journal (Sarasota, Florida), January 18, 1962, p. 3. ↩︎
    2. “Opened On Wednesday”. The News (Sarasota, Florida), January 19, 1962, p. 9. ↩︎
    3. Powers, Harris. “How’s Business Here These Days?” Sarasota Journal (Sarasota, Florida), January 24, 1962, p. 6. ↩︎
    4. “1st Units Of Golden Host Motel Will Be Available By Jan. 15”. The Sarasota News (Sarasota, Florida), p. 11. ↩︎
    5. “Golden Host Motel Plans Open House Today”. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Florida), February 15, 1959, p. 20. ↩︎
    6. Wells, Jennifer. “The rebirth of the Bahi Hut”. Sarasota Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, Florida), May 31, 2018, p. E8. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Shangri-La Motel (1950) – New Smyrna Beach, Florida

    Shangri-La Motel. 805 North Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
    Shangri-La Motel (1950). 805 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach, Florida.

    I drove down U.S. 1 one morning to see old motel signs.

    That’s when I found Shangri-La.

    Location of Shangri-La Motel

    Judging from an old postcard of the Shangri-La Motel (pictured below), it was probably a reasonable slice of paradise in its time. And now? Well…

    Originally owned and managed by Mr. & Mrs. Carroll A. Maul,1 the motel advertised:

    “Modern duplex cottages. New city court. Automatic vented heat. Carpeted floors. Airfoam beds. Connecting rooms. City water. Tile baths. Maid service.”

    Postcard view of the Shangri-La Motel (1950), New Smyrna Beach, Florida
    Shangri-La Motel (1950). New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Photograph from an undated postcard published by Willens & Co. of Chicago.

    The motel opened in 1950,2 and the sign pictured at the top likely debuted then as well.

    It appears to be the same one visible on the far left of the postcard, although it was awkwardly placed on the office roof at some point, probably when the nearby highway was widened.

    “They sure don’t make signs like that anymore,” says the voice of some old man in my head.

    References

    1. “New Smyrna Beach”. Daytona Beach Morning Herald (Daytona Beach, Florida), June 21, 1950, p. 5. ↩︎
    2. Ibid. ↩︎

  • A.S. Beck (1936) – New York

    A.S. Beck (1936). 128 W. 34th Street, New York.
    A.S. Beck (1936). 128 W. 34th Street, New York.1

    Is it a relic sign or a fine example of Art Deco architecture? The answer is both.

    I admired this swanky old Manhattan storefront for years on my walks to and from Moynihan Train Hall, but for some reason, I only recently thought to take a picture of it.

    It was easy to find the opening-day newspaper advertisements for the A.S. Beck shoe store, but I’ve yet to determine the designer. Whoever it was, they did a swell job.

    Location of A.S. Beck

    References

    1. Advertisement. Daily News (New York), September 18, 1936, p. 16. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Philip’s Restaurant (1940) – Philadelphia

    Philip's Restaurant (1940). 1145 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.
    Philip’s Restaurant (1940). 1145 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia.

    This swanky old sign is a true relic of South Philly, which is changing as rapidly as any other neighborhood these days.

    Owned and operated by the Muzi family, Philip’s Restaurant was licensed for business at this location in 1940,1 although later advertisements claimed it opened in 1938.2

    The blue portion of the sign likely dates to 1940, but I suspect the “Cocktail Lounge” segment was added later.

    Location of Philip’s Restaurant

    Originally built as a residence, the 3-story brownstone structure that housed the restaurant previously served as the Circolo Italiano clubhouse for at least 20 years.3 4

    Philip’s touted itself as “Serving the finest in Italian cuisine”, and the interior photograph shown below is from a postcard published circa 1960, based on a note from the back that adds the restaurant had been in “The same location for 20 years.”

    Interior of Philips Restaurant, circa 1960. Photograph by Bill Bennett from an undated postcard published by Bill Bennett of Philadelphia and Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.
    Interior of Philips Restaurant, circa 1960. Photograph by Bill Bennett from an undated postcard published by Bill Bennett of Philadelphia and Pennsburg, Pennsylvania.

    Philip’s closed in 2001, and the building has apparently been unoccupied since 2018.5 The sign remains untouched.

    References

    1. “Latest Reports Of Legal Actions”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, October 23, 1940, p. 39. ↩︎
    2. Advertisement. The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, October 27, 1968, p. 44. ↩︎
    3. “Sale on South Broad Street”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 12, 1916, p. 7. ↩︎
    4. “Circolo Italiano Meets”. The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 1, 1936, p. 32. ↩︎
    5. Hidden City Philadelphia › Mysteries Revealed as Old Philip’s Restaurant Eyed for Redevelopment ↩︎

  • Briarcliff Plaza (1939) – Atlanta

    George H. Bond. Briarcliff Plaza (1939). Poncey-Highland, Atlanta.
    George H. Bond. Briarcliff Plaza (1939). Poncey-Highland, Atlanta.1 2 3
    Looking at Briarcliff Plaza from the northwest
    Looking at Briarcliff Plaza from the northwest
    Northeast corner of Briarcliff Plaza, Atlanta
    Northeast corner of Briarcliff Plaza, Atlanta
    Looking at Briarcliff Plaza from the northeast
    Looking at Briarcliff Plaza from the northeast
    Ornamental detail on Briarcliff Plaza, Atlanta
    Ornamental detail on Briarcliff Plaza, Atlanta
    Looking toward the Majestic Diner in the west building of Briarcliff Plaza, Atlanta
    Looking toward the Majestic Diner in the west building of Briarcliff Plaza, Atlanta
    Plaza Theatre marquee at night
    Plaza Theatre marquee at night
    Looking at Briarcliff Plaza from the east at night
    Looking at Briarcliff Plaza from the east at night
    Looking at the Majestic Diner at night
    Looking at the Majestic Diner at night
    Majestic Diner sign at night
    Majestic Diner sign at night

    Video: The Plaza Theatre

    References

    1. “$200,000 Going Into Business Houses In Atlanta”. The Atlanta Constitution, January 8, 1939, p. 8K. ↩︎
    2. “Half of Briarcliff Plaza Space Already Leased”. The Atlanta Journal, April 30, 1939, p. 7-D. ↩︎
    3. “Briarcliff Plaza To Be Dedicated”. The Atlanta Journal, December 22, 1939, p. 23. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Diana – Birmingham, Alabama

    Diana (circa 1979). 1916 2nd Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama.

    It’s hard to pin down an exact date for this sign in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, but the earliest newspaper ad I can find for the Diana store is from Christmas 1979.1

    Location of Diana

    Previously, the space had been occupied since 1934 by Peggie Hale,2 a nationwide retailer of women’s clothing. Diana Stores purchased Peggie Hale, Inc. in 1945,3 operating stores under both brands.

    By 1955, the company opened a Diana Outlet in Birmingham, two blocks north at 313 North 19th Avenue.4 Between 1975 and 1977, advertisements for the outlet noted sales and discounts that were also available at Peggie Hale.5 6

    It appears the Peggie Hale store transitioned to Diana at some point between 1977 and 1979, and the last ads for the store are from late 1983.7 It’s unclear when Diana closed, but the space has long since been abandoned, and the sign remains untouched.

    References

    1. Advertisement. The Birmingham News (Birmingham, Alabama), December 25, 1979. p. 15D. ↩︎
    2. Advertisement. The Birmingham News (Birmingham, Alabama), August 23, 1934, p. 11. ↩︎
    3. ACQUIRES PEGGIE HALE, INC.; Diana Stores Get Entire Capital Stock of Company – The New York Times ↩︎
    4. Advertisement. The Birmingham News (Birmingham, Alabama), May 12, 1955, p. 20. ↩︎
    5. Advertisement. The Birmingham News (Birmingham, Alabama), March 6, 1975, p. 30. ↩︎
    6. Advertisement. The Birmingham News (Birmingham, Alabama), April 13, 1977, p. 8. ↩︎
    7. Advertisement. The Birmingham News (Birmingham, Alabama), September 11, 1983, p. 16A. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: The Bootery (1958-2025) – Atlanta

    The Bootery (1958-2025). 81 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.
    The Bootery (1958-2025). 81 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

    This old parrot was recently toppled from its longtime perch on Atlanta’s Peachtree Street. Squawk!

    The Bootery was a national shoe store chain that first opened in Atlanta in 1946, catering to “Boys and Girls of All Ages,”1 and later touting itself as “Atlanta’s Most Popular Children’s Shoe Store.”2

    When the store moved to 81 Peachtree Street (previously 81 Whitehall Street) in August 1958,3 4 it was an exclusive seller of Poll-Parrot shoes, and the parrot was the brand’s mascot.5 6

    Location of The Bootery

    The store closed sometime after 1996,7 but the sign was left to fade and rust for decades, and was finally removed in 2025 as the structure at 81 Peachtree was hollowed out to serve as a courtyard, part of a major renovation of the neighboring Bass Dry Goods building.8

    References

    1. Advertisement. The Atlanta Constitution, March 15, 1946, p. 6. ↩︎
    2. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 30, 1958, p. 9-F. ↩︎
    3. ‘”The Bootery” Shoe Store Grand Opening August 14-16’. Atlanta Daily World, August 13, 1958, p. 3. ↩︎
    4. Advertisement. The Atlanta Constitution, August 14, 1958, p. 16. ↩︎
    5. Ibid. ↩︎
    6. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, March 30, 1958, p. 9-F. ↩︎
    7. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 26, 1996, p. 25. ↩︎
    8. Photo tour: Where South Downtown’s painstaking rebirth stands now | Urbanize Atlanta ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Mangel’s (1946) – Atlanta

    Mangel's (1946). 74 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.
    Mangel’s (1946). 74 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

    This sign at 74 Peachtree Street in Atlanta (previously 74 Whitehall Street) likely debuted with the Mangel’s store, which opened in May 19461 in a portion of the two surviving floors from the former Hirsch Building.2

    Location of Mangel’s

    Mangel’s was a New York-based retail chain3 that billed itself as “your headquarters for smart apparel at budget-saving prices,”4 and the Whitehall store was its second Atlanta location, with its first store in the city opening in 1919.5

    Mangel’s operated at this location for decades, but seems to have quietly closed sometime after 1988.6

    References

    1. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal, May 24, 1946, p. 10. ↩︎
    2. “Realty Trades”. The Atlanta Constitution, August 24, 1935, p. 4. ↩︎
    3. “Anniversary Sale At Mangel Store First Of Its Kind”. The Atlanta Journal, May 3, 1929, p. 31. ↩︎
    4. Advertisement. The Atlanta Journal, May 24, 1946, p. 10. ↩︎
    5. “Anniversary Sale At Mangel Store First Of Its Kind”. The Atlanta Journal, May 3, 1929, p. 31. ↩︎
    6. “Retail Management” (advertisement). The Atlanta Journal and Constitution, October 2, 1988, p. 80-P. ↩︎

  • Relic Signs: Pink Motel (1957) – Cherokee, North Carolina

    Pink Motel (1957). 1306 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee, North Carolina.
    Pink Motel (1957). 1306 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee, North Carolina.

    Nothing makes a night better than pink.

    This sign in Cherokee, North Carolina, debuted at the Pink Motel’s opening in 1957. And if you’re wondering about the origin of the name, a newspaper report from the time helpfully explained:

    “If you are a motel operator, supplying your own linen, name-tagged and all, you will often get back from the laundry the linen of some other operator. So, if you have pink bed sheets and towels, how’s anyone but a colorblind person going to get your linens mixed-up with that of white-linen folks?

    “So, that’s how the name “Pink Motel” started. It was only logical to carry the pink idea still further until it was “done up pink.” The outside of the Pink Motel is painted pink. The walls, furniture, vertical venetian blinds, the bathroom tile, the furnishings…even the soap…are all pink.”1

    Location of Pink Motel

    References

    1. “20-Unit Pink Motel At Cherokee Is Original Color Scheme Idea”. Asheville Citizen-Times (Asheville, North Carolina), July 14, 1957, p. B11. ↩︎