Signage Updated at Good Footing Adventure

Good Footing Adventure, the outdoor-oriented shoe store on Seventh Avenue between Second and Third Streets, updated their signage recently. It's not a drastic difference, but enough to be noticeable: a splash of color on what used to be a bland shade of brown.

With a recent spate of uninspired signage going up on Seventh, it's nice to see a local shop going the hand-made route. This store has also experienced some hard times recently, being forced to close for a month due to a fire back in July, so it's good to see that they're back on their feet.

Here's how the sign used to look:

Ancient TV Store Ghost Signage Uncovered on Fifth

I love uncovering ghost signage. Hidden from view for years, often decades, it reappears when an awning or newer sign is removed, briefly transporting us back in time and giving us a glimpse into the neighborhood's past.

Many thanks to a loyal reader for sending over the above photo, of a 50s-era sign that was recently revealed when the owners of the Uncle Louie G's franchise on Fifth near Seventh Street took their awning down. The only word that's visible is "T.V.,"  possibly with the word "Marconi" above it, but it's hard to tell. Looks like there's an old phone number on there as well, along with some still covered words below, maybe "Repair Shop?"

Either way, it's very cool, and handpainted in a couple different now-retro fonts. 

Baluchis Gets Some Surprisingly Cool Neon Signage

It was pleasantly surprising to discover that Baluchi's, the Indian restaurant on Fifth between Second and Third Streets that's a part of a 5-restaurant Manhattan-based mini-chain, had removed their old signage and replaced it with an old-fashioned, neon-powered vertical sign. 

Complete with yellow light bulbs along the rim, it's a total throwback. Along with Beauty Bar, we've gotten some quality retro signs recently.

Beauty Bar Gets Signage, Opening Date Set

Signage went up over the weekend at Beauty Bar, the outpost of the East Village-based dive bar/salon chain that's been in the works on Fifth Avenue between Garfield and Carroll, and it's certainly a beauty. It's an old-fashioned awning that extends from the doorway nearly all the way to the street, the kind that has been vanishing from the city but used to be commonplace at bars, clubs, and restaurants.

A contractor standing outside the bar told me that Opening Night will ne bext Friday, February 24th.

Park Slope Optical Gets its Sign Back

When the new facade of 226 Flatbush Avenue, near Bergen Street, was revealed last month, many not only regretted the stripping of all the old building's ornament (or"uglification," as I call it), but the removal of the classic signage for Park Slope Optical, the building's longtime retail tenant.

Well, good news, folks, the sign is back, and it looks better than ever. It's taken on a slightly pink hue, but the old hanging sign has been returned to its old spot and a brand new awning has been installed as well.