Store Front: The Disappearing Face of New York by James T. Murray
Since this book was published in 2010, I'm sure even more of these decades-old vintage signs and Mom & Pop, non-chain, non-franchise, often family-run stores have been destroyed since, especially since the rate of tearing down old buildings/businesses and gentrifying neighborhoods has only accelerated in the last few years, so I'm especially glad to have visual documentation, some history, and in some cases personal testimony from the owners, many of whom were the second- or third-generation working there. The photos are presented on lovely paper.
Per this book, it's sad how many historic signs were killed by New York City's permits, fees, and regulations, as many businesses would've preferred to keep their neon but the NYC fees and paperwork were prohibitive. Turns out you need to pay for a permit to have a neon sign, even if you never light it up anymore. One shop owner with a neon marquee sign fought the city in court to keep that sign--new regulations had declared marquee signs to be a safety hazard--but when the city retaliated with a $50,000 fine, he had to give up.
One small quibble is that the Queens segment is miniscule. Being a Queens girl, I was hoping to see a particular liquor store, Queens Wines & Liquors, 5903 71st Ave near Myrtle Avenue, that still retains its old neon sign today in this book but no. Ridgewood alone in the '00s could've provided a lot of photos and shops. There's more to Queens than Astoria (and somewhat famous vintage businesses Eddie's Sweet Shop and the Lemon Ice King of Corona)!
Per this book, it's sad how many historic signs were killed by New York City's permits, fees, and regulations, as many businesses would've preferred to keep their neon but the NYC fees and paperwork were prohibitive. Turns out you need to pay for a permit to have a neon sign, even if you never light it up anymore. One shop owner with a neon marquee sign fought the city in court to keep that sign--new regulations had declared marquee signs to be a safety hazard--but when the city retaliated with a $50,000 fine, he had to give up.
One small quibble is that the Queens segment is miniscule. Being a Queens girl, I was hoping to see a particular liquor store, Queens Wines & Liquors, 5903 71st Ave near Myrtle Avenue, that still retains its old neon sign today in this book but no. Ridgewood alone in the '00s could've provided a lot of photos and shops. There's more to Queens than Astoria (and somewhat famous vintage businesses Eddie's Sweet Shop and the Lemon Ice King of Corona)!