Army and Navy Store Neon Sign
Name/Title
Army and Navy Store Neon SignEntry/Object ID
2008.0005.1Description
Large sign is made up of porcelain enamel and neon. The neon outlines two green flags that are on the left and right hand sides of the sign, pointing inwards toward the center. The signs come from Bernie's Army & Navy Store in Johnson City, NY and were donated as it closed in December 2007. Bernie Smigel was the owner and even helped design the signs, as well as hand-lettering his own interior cardboard signs which would announce different sales. Bernie’s Army-Navy Store opened after World War II to sell military-related items and, later, sporting goods. When these goods became scarce during the 1950s, Smigel added Boy Scouts’ and “dimestore” items, but the Vietnam War replenished the military articles during the 1960s and ’70s. Smigel’s daughter Margie added that blue jeans, Converse sneakers and work clothes also sold well at the store.Collection
Permanent CollectionCategory
Signs/Displays, z_New Category Needed (Re-sort)