Love all those neon signs in Seattle (Olympia, George: houseboat, neighborhood)

[bostonguy1960]

On my trip to Portland and Seattle this fall, I noticed many fabulous neon signs as I drove around. Whether on a no-name hamburger joint or the Wallingford QFC market (love that sign), it all makes for an interesting experience. I think I even drove by a neon sign business in an outer PDX neighborhood.

In Boston, neon is not as common. Sure, we have it, but I think in a few historic areas, it's frowned upon or even banned?

Is neon considered trashy?

I especially liked the neon signs with moving images, or the ones with large-sized lettering.

Anybody else notice or appreciate this facet of Seattle life?

It's kind of retro, like comfort food for the eyes.

[Ira500]

I love them too, and am sad that some of the bestter ones are gone. But the Bardahl neon stilll lights up in Ballard, the Elephant Car wash downtown, the P-I globe, etc:
Seattle's neon signs pierce the winter darkness - seattlepi.com

[bostonguy1960]

Yep, I think I remember the Ballard sign. I saw the Elephant sign, remembering it from my "92 visit. I even like the Brown Bear car wash signs but don't remember if some are neon or not.

I liked the Olympia Westside Thriftway market sign also, glowing in green.

Do some locals find them tacky, and want them removed? I guess historic areas like Georgetown, Beacon Hill in Boston, Savannah or Charleston (SC) would dislike them...

I took many photos of the neon signs in the PDX and Seattle areas. Hey, I think it's my new hobby.

[Blondebaerde]

They turn up on CL once in awhile, too (interesting neon signs from now-defunct Seattle businesses), at-discount. Trashy, meh: some say kitsch, others not so much.

(E.g. the other day there was a "Smoke Camels" (cigarettes) neon sign on CL that was downright-interesting Americana, if somewhat obsolete and un-PC these days. Ditto neon beer signs and etc.)

I'm debating-same for my home and will probably find something fun from the same resource one of these days, kitsch be damned.

[Hemlock140]

There was a neon boneyard on 15th just south of whole foods until it cleared out a few weeks ago. There are still probably a dozen shops in Seattle that bend their own neon. Though some of it is just to light channel letters they are still cranking out some cool stuff and do restoration of vintage signs.

[Beenhere4ever]

I rented a houseboat in Portland that had a bar with a neon sign. Kinda cool. I think for a party room, they are a neat design frill.

[part1yc1oudy]

I like them too. It's one of the first things I noticed after moving here. I live in Ballard, and we have quite a few of them. The Bardahl sign, Ballard Blossom, Sparkle Cleaners, Vera's, etc etc... The Wallingford QFC sign is great!! :-)

[AddyLaddy]

Never seen it in person but it does look cool;

Wallingford QFC Sign | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by AddyLaddy

Never seen it in person but it does look cool;

Wallingford QFC Sign | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

If you are going to the Zoo, Ballard or Greenlake it's right on 45th west of I5. You'll pass Dicks' on the way.