Great Ghost Signage Appears on Fifth and Bergen

As you might know, I have a special place in my heart for ghost signage: remnants of earlier tenants' signs that have been covered over, only to reappear sometimes decades later. Many thanks to reader Jay for sending over this photo of ancient signage recently revealed at the southeast corner of Fifth and Bergen.

Trade Winds Furniture closed down a little less than a year ago on that corner, and a new Scottish bar named Duke of Montrose is currently under construction in the space. They've already built a new facade (unfortunately doing away with the angled entryway that most likely preceeded Trade Winds), and recently removed their old signs, which had been whitewashed.

Underneath, at least on the Bergen Street side, is a sign for an old tenant, which in my guess was a poultry market. "--ARTERS FOR HOLIDAY POULTRY" (most likely"quarters", or chickens split into four pieces) is still clearly legible, as is "aime" up above, but the word after that is tougher to make out (unless "mebeeragqqt" is a word).

I've done some digging but have been unable to find any photos of this corner from a time when this sign would have been up. If anyone has any additional details on this former tenant, let me know!

Ghost Signage Appears at Southpaw/ NY Kids Club Space

You never know what's going to be lurking underneath signs when they get taken down. Sometimes it's just a blank wall, other times remnants of a previous occupant have been lurking underneath for years.

An example of the latter recently re-appeared on Fifth between St. Johns and Sterling, on the facade of the storefront that was last occupied by Southpaw, and where NY Kids Club is currently under construction. The letters themselves were removed, but you can still clearly read the words "discount center," which was the no-frills name of the long-running business that was in the space before the music venue moved in in June of 2002. 

Ghost Signage Revealed at City Casuals Space

Construction on the bar that's been in the works in the space last occupied by clothing boutique City Casuals has been crawling along, but something interesting was revealed recently when the 40 year old business' sign came down.

It's the (very) faded hand-painted sign of what the awning covered over, and it's barely legible. Of the remaining lettering, though, it's very possible that the full sign once read "City Casuals," back when the store first opened in 1972, here on Seventh Avenue between Third and Fourth Streets.

Along with Grecian Corner's ancient sign being uncovered right across the street, that's two longtime businesses whose long-hidden original signage was recently revealed.

Ancient Grecian Corner Signage Revealed

Constuction is underway in the space that was last home to Greek diner Grecian Corner, as an outpost of David's Tea is slated to take over the space. The old signage came down yesterday, and lo and behold, most of the original wooden sign had been lurking behind the newer one this whole time, with the Greek-style lettering still plainly visible.

Anyone know how long this diner had been there for? It's reminiscent of the old Karavas sign on West 4th Street in the Village, which has been around for about 30 years.