Wednesday, September 7, 2011

ABC Wednesday: H is for Hi Hat Cleaners

This vintage neon sign advertises a business that has continued in the same spot for decades.  Surprisingly, despite its worn appearance, the sign continues to work too.  The owner says they turn it on winter evenings during operating hours.  During short winter days, it probably serves as a beacon to front door.  He also hopes to get it restored, although I imagine that is a costly process.  The sign and business anchor the corner of MacArthur and Maple St. in the Laurel District.  Visit ABC Wednesday for other takes on this week's letter.
Posted by Oakland Daily Photo at 12:01 AM
Labels: , , , ,

13 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 6, 2011 at 8:19 PM

    I love that sign! What a perfect picture for the letter H.

    ReplyDelete
  2. VioletSkySeptember 6, 2011 at 8:26 PM

    It would be cool if they can restore it. I just hope the laws allow for that. Here there was a case of a sign being taken down for some restoration and the owners weren't allowed to put it back up because it didn't fit the new codes (it was grandfathered, I guess, while it was in place, but lost that status the minute he took it down.) some bylaws are just plain ornery.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Karen XavierSeptember 7, 2011 at 12:12 AM

    Hope he gets to restore it... and I think its pretty cool that it still functions properly.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rune EideSeptember 7, 2011 at 2:58 AM

    The obvious quip is that he ought to have taken the sign to the cleaners, but all those lines and angles still show the initial structural beauty.

    I hope he can have it restored to its original state.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Roger Owen GreenSeptember 7, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    So were the washers or the dryers the drums? I I assume the hi hat was the detergent vending machine.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

    ReplyDelete
  6. LeoviSeptember 7, 2011 at 3:05 AM

    Beautiful, I love that old but attractive neon signs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Louis la VacheSeptember 7, 2011 at 3:40 AM

    Carolyn, you've got a great talent for finding these wonderful old signs. It would be nice to see this gem restored!

    ReplyDelete
  8. OwenSeptember 7, 2011 at 1:04 PM

    Now that is a fine sign ! Love it... Old neon is such an American thing, don't tend to see much here in Europe...

    If you enjoy neon you may like the Let There Be Neon website :

    http://www.lettherebeneon.com/

    There is also a book by that title, put together by Rudi Stern, if you can find it, it contains a wonderful collection of neon sign and art photos.

    ReplyDelete
  9. JoySeptember 7, 2011 at 1:36 PM

    A memorable name, and sign. I love neon.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Bob CroweSeptember 7, 2011 at 7:07 PM

    Carolyn - thanks for your kind comments when I was traveling. My brain is gradually getting back on home time. The sign is wonderful - get a picture of it later in the year when it's turned on at night. I supposed the name was meant to convey elegance but the sigh isn't backing it up these days.

    ReplyDelete
  11. KathySeptember 7, 2011 at 7:27 PM

    I hope they have expanded their services to other items, since I don't see many hats on Americans these days. I remember when my dad sent his Stetson cowboy hat to the cleaners for cleaning and blocking.

    ReplyDelete
  12. TashSeptember 8, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    That's a beaut! Love the way it shines during the day. High five on your H.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RandySeptember 9, 2011 at 7:42 PM

    Now that is a classic.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)