The Tucson Fight: Preserving Historic Neon Signs

With a population of over half a million inhabitants, Tucson, Arizona is one of the prime cities in the US. Located in Pima County, this city has been famous over centuries for its contribution to the world in terms of its giant glowing Neon Signs.

People who grew up here have spent their whole lives glancing at these big vibrant signs all their lives, which is why they are not in favor of the authorities’ decision to take them downs. But let’s take a break and take a look at the story behind it.

A sneak peek into the history of Tucson’s Neon Signs

Southwest had been a popular tourist location when in earlier times, the idea of camping and vacation for most people meant travelling the country through interstates and highways. A spectrum of big flickering neon signs on the highways gave this part of the state a unique and appealing charm. Because of their placements on highways that ran throughout the city, these pink, blue and yellow neon signs proved to be the right kind of attraction for coffee shops, theatre and motels that their owners needed during the late 1940s to 1960s.

America’s Ugliest Street:

These signs were not always seen as an attraction or considered historic landmarks. People considered them as outdated, gaudy in appearance, and visual pollution barricading the beautiful view of the mountains.

Adding to the horror, Life Magazine in 1970 published an article labeling these neon-lit roads as the “ugliest streets” in America.

Plastic signs were the new trendy way of promotion which made these neon signs seems bulky and simply old-fashioned. People who owned them stopped maintaining them and they were left as they were. Too big to take down and repair, all that was left were these unlit ruined signs all over the state.

Tucson stands up against taking the Neon signs down:

But times changed. Inhabitants got accustomed to viewing them every day on their routes and began to appreciate the art form. So, when a few years back the Tucson authorities decided to take down these unlit, non-functional neon signs, It came out as a blow for the Tucsonans. They were not ready to give up something they had come to consider historic and sacred.

In 2011, Tucson Historic Preservation Foundation took a stand to preserve the signs that can be termed iconic landmarks. Restoration began the next year.

In 2013, the city invested $125,000 for a preservation program to restore these iconic landmarks. Currently undergoing sign restorations include two famous neon signs; the Hacienda Motel and the Riviera Motor Lodge. Notices were sent out to the owners. The Foundation will pay up to 75% of the cost of restoring the areas historic neon signs, if the owners agree to maintain them for the next ten years.

Jennifer Levstik, who is the preservation lead planner for the city’s Historic Preservation Office, expressed her views saying,

“It’s a part of our history that’s really unique. We have to start recognizing these historic resources of the past. Anything I can do to help bring these back to life, I’ll do it.” 

Advertising With Neon Signs

Neon signs are displayed everywhere as a form of advertising for businesses. They are a fairly inexpensive way to market your business because you can display them anywhere and it only costs you a one-time payment to have one made for you. They work great for advertising because people can see the signs from quite a distance away. They are so bright that they draw attention to your store, product or whatever you are promoting. Neon can definitely help your business make more money by increasing the number of customers who walk through your doors.

The main goal of signs is to attract attention. The glowing neon light stands out brightly in the darkness of night. Display one in the window of your store and people will be able to see it as they drive by. It may spark interest in one of these passersby, enough so to get them to come into your store.

Where to Get Neon Signs:

There may be places in your local area that sell pre-made neon signs. Many of the signs are standard template designs like, "Open", "Drive Thru", "Barber Shop", "Restaurant", etc. These types of pre-made signs work well to garner attention and won't cost you nearly as much as a custom sign.

Another place to find pre-made neon signs is on the Internet. These companies will likely have the greatest number of options for you to choose from. There are many retailers online that specialize in their own unique signs and you will find a variety of styles and colors of pre-made neon signs to choose from.

You will also find the opportunity to have a custom-made neon sign for your store as well. This means that you can hire someone to make a unique sign designed especially for your business. A sign like this is likely going to cost you more money but it gives your business the chance to stand out amongst your competitors. You can display your sign proudly because no one else will have one like it. A custom neon sign will gain a lot more attention from people passing by than a standard "Open" sign, which means it also has the ability to bring more traffic into your store.

No matter what, neon signs are a great way to promote your business with another unique form of relatively inexpensive advertising. If your business is near a road, intersection or any other place that has a lot of traffic, a neon sign is the perfect way to turn that traffic into potential customers and get these people interested in coming into your store.

Australia Releases Collectible Neon Sign Postage Stamps

The country of Australia recently announced its very own series of commemorative neon sign postage stamps – showcasing three of their historic neon signs.

The Skipping Girl, known as Little Aubrey, erected in 1936 as an advertisement for Skipping Girl Vinegar. The sign depicting a young girl playing jump-rope and instantly captured the eyes and hearts of all of Melbourne. The current sign erected in 1970 is not the original sign. The original was removed in 1968 when the company moved. Regarded as a local landmark, public outcry followed its removal. In response to this a campaign was undertaken to reinstate it. With the involvement of businessman John Benjamin, a new slightly smaller Little Audrey sign was reinstated on the roof of Benjamin's Crusader Plate Company, a short distance from its original location. Officially declared a Victorian Heritage Icon by the National Trust in 2007, the Skipping Girl Sign is the first animated neon sign in Australia and is included on the Victorian Heritage Register which lists the most significant places and objects. In 2012, Little Audrey was converted to solar power to skip 16,000 times every night powered by energy built up during the day from sunlight.

After World War II, Queenland's Gold Coast because a popular honeymooners destination. The Pink Poodle, built in 1967, to adorn the Pink Poodle Motel became synonymous with the surfers paradise. The motel was demolished in 2004, but the sign was saved and moved to a nearby location.

The Dandy Pig was erected in the 1950s for the Gippsland Co-operative Bacon Curing Company. The illuminated sign features a finely dressed Mr Pig in formal morning dress, doffing his top hat to welcome people to Dandenong, Victoria. After the company closed in 1983, the sign was placed in storage before being restored and re-erected at the Dandenong Market in 1993, as acknowledgement of the sign’s social, cultural and historical status.

Seattle's Most Photographed Attraction

It’s been said that Seattleites will exaggerate about how much it rains in order to deter visitors from moving to their emerald city. The “rain” part is a bit exaggerated, because while it does get a lot of overcast skies, in reality it has fewer inches of annual rainfall than New York City, Houston Texas and dozens of other U.S. cities. Rain or shine, there is a multitude of photogenic scenes to be found in the City of Seattle. Pike Place Market, the majestic views of Mount Rainier, and the Great Wheel to name just a few. However, Seattle’s most photographed landmark is… NOT the Space Needle, as many would have first guessed. So what is it that can outshine the allure of Seattle’s defining landmark and draw shutterbugs away? How about a rotating pink neon elephant! The whimsical elephant sign of the Elephant Super Car Wash located at the corner of Battery Street and Seventh Avenue–literally a block or two from the Space Needle–takes the prize. 

Three brothers Archie, Dean and Eldon Anderson invented an automatic-hands free car wash and in the mid-1950s they opened this location- their second. Only six years later, the Space Needle would become the pink elephant’s neighbor.  Pink elephants now grace eight Elephant Car Wash locations in Seattle and more locations exist in Eastern Washington, Arkansas and California. According to the company’s website, the landmark Battery Street location has been visited by sports figures, celebrities and notable politicians. It’s rumored that Elvis stopped by to get his Cadillac cleaned while filming “It Happened at the World’s Fair.” Probably the most photographed car wash sign in the country, people come from all over and have their photo taken in front of it. 

But…why? In Seattle, there is a fondness for the fun and the quirky and who can't resist a happy elephant made out of hot pink neon bathing itself! It is really hard to not smile when you drive past this gigantic twirling neon sign. 

Interesting factoid: the rotating motor inside stops if the wind blows very hard.

What Size Sign Letters do I Need?

Proper selection of letter height is critical to ensure a sign is legible to its intended audience. To make sure you select the correct letter height, Fire House Neon Signs has included a useful visibility chart that shows an approximate letter size required to be legible at a designated distance from the sign.  

Calculations based on an externally (or naturally) lit sign with all uppercase letters. Factors that may affect required letter size include: color scheme, font selection, traffic and weather conditions. Please refer to the complete study by the Pennsylvania Transportation Institute, Penn University and the United States Sign Council.

A Good First Impression Starts with Your Sign

In business,first impressions count. Giving a bad first impression can lose you the confidence of prospective customers and clients, and even cost you business. The first impressions you give a customer or client will set the tone for your future business relationship and shows that you are professional and prepared. However, it is not difficult to give a good first impression every time by following a few simple guidelines. "We judge books by their covers" is the old saying and a customer will make a judgment in as little a 100 msec seconds according to one Princeton study. Once made they are very difficult to change.

In other words, first impressions are fast, firm, and very sticky. So how do you make a great one with your business?  Attend to the basics. In business, your storefront and its signage is your customers first impression.  In the book, "Predatory Marketing," C. Britt Breemer states that 53% of shoppers base their initial perception of your store and their decision to buy on the appearance of the store exterior. Your storefront signage gives clients all the important information for them to make a snap judgement. 

Looking polished, professional, and welcoming is the foundation for any good first impression for a storefront. Whether we like it or not, looks matter a great deal and affect people's perceptions.  Many small business owners don’t realize the value of their business’ appearance. Once the customer makes it into your store, it’s up to you to make the sale and convert them from a customer to a loyal shopper. But keep in mind...make a good first impression and potential customers will not pass you by.

A good first impression starts with a good sign. A good sign brings in customers and is

• an appropriate size for its location,
• develops a theme that fits in with your other marketing,
• keeps the message short and simple,
• illuminated so it can be read day or night.

At Fire House Neon Signs, we are here to help you create that all important first impression! With a custom neon sign your business will be perceived as professional, exciting and fun. More importantly, a sign from Fire House Neon will have that unmistakable glow that is sure to get your business noticed.

How to Make Your Business Stand Out

How to Make Your Business Stand Out

If you own a pizza business, the last thing you want is for people in your town to say “Let’s get pizza, but I don’t really care where we get it from.” This type of reaction could mean the end of your business because it means that the local customers don’t find any difference between you and your competitors. For a small pizza business, what you want is for the local population to demand YOUR pizza when they want pizza.

In order to earn this type of reaction, you need to make your business stand out. Although this may sound hard, there are some very specific types of actions you can take to achieve this goal.

1. Provide excellence in your product. Excellence does not mean perfection and it doesn't always mean highest quality. What it means is that you do something special that ensures people prefer your product to your competitors. Using the pizza shop example, this may mean you make your own sauce or it could mean you sell a deep dish pizza that other shops don’t
2. Provide superior customer service. Your customers are your bread and butter – or garlic bread and butter for a pizza shop! You should work to build relationships with customers by showing them how much they are appreciated. You can do this by listening to their concerns, meeting their needs and going a little bit above and beyond normal expectations. This may mean that first time customers get an extra 10% off coupon for the next order. Or it could mean that you provide something extra every fifth order.
3. Reach Out To Customers. People in your community need to know that you are taking the extra time and effort to reach out to them. Build up a social network presence on Facebook, support a local little league time or get involved in community charities. This not only shows the community that you care about them and their needs, but that you also take the time to communicate with them directly.
4. Do something different. Many people can provide pizza, but most don’t always provide the extras that draw people in. This could be anything from specialty sodas, locally crafted beers, weekly prize drawings, free doggie biscuits for pet owners, or a kid’s area with games and toys. These types of differentiation strategies can help people select your business over others.
5. Market Locally. Anyone can place an ad in the local paper, but you need something more than that. You need something that will make people stop and look. You need something that will catch their eye even when they’re in a hurry to get somewhere else.
   
   Neon signs meet this need. Neon signs, especially when advertising that niche need that you meet or when showcasing your brand, are great tools because they are easily seen both during the day and during the night. They are colorful, fun and nostalgic and can be specially crafted to meet your specific marketing requirements.