The New York City of the moment is bringing many people down. Luckily, we can escape with a little time traveling thanks to these old-school store signs.
Matles Florist has been in Manhattan since 1962, and the vintage sign with the very 1960s typeface shows it. The store is on 57th Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.
Is there anything better than a not-fancy New York pizza place? I don’t know how long Belmora, on East 57th near Lexington, has been cranking out slices, but the sign in the colors of Italy looks like it goes back to the 1970s.
Mike Bloomberg was apparently a fan of J.G. Melon, the corner restaurant made famous by its burgers. The place got its start in 1972, and it’s certainly possible the no-frills vertical neon sign dates back to the 1970s as well.
Ephemeral New York 
June 29, 2020 at 9:35 am |
But what does Mike Bloomberg have to do with it, I don’t understand the reference to him?
June 29, 2020 at 6:19 pm |
Just something I found out when I was researching the place and thought it was interesting…
June 29, 2020 at 10:34 am |
There a several tells to find good pizza beyond not Dominos. One is definitely that sign. Another is a drawing of the rotund pizza chef on the box.
June 29, 2020 at 11:56 am |
Best pizza I ever had was from 11th St & 6th Ave (name escapes me, it’s no longer there), cheese was so stringy they always had a plastic fork & knife to help you eat it. On Fri/Sat nights there’d be people waiting outside just to get in. I’d get 2 slices and a drink that filled you up. Delicious!
June 29, 2020 at 12:12 pm
I think it was called Famous Ray’s. It was the first “Ray’s” pizzeria that I knew about.
June 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm
My dinner in the early 00s every weeknight!
June 29, 2020 at 11:09 am |
It’s been there at least from 1978 – I passed by every weekday on the way to my teaching job at a near-by school.
June 29, 2020 at 11:40 am |
i love the old signs, so much character in them
June 29, 2020 at 11:58 am |
I’m a fan of J.G.Melon’s burgers as well, and of its fries too. Missing them!
June 29, 2020 at 12:05 pm |
If you look closely, you’ll notice that the florist is actually”Matles”… not “Mattes”.
June 29, 2020 at 6:20 pm |
Thanks, I thought I fixed that!
June 29, 2020 at 1:25 pm |
The Melon’s sign does go back to the ’70’s.
June 29, 2020 at 1:40 pm |
Bobby Flay is a big fan of Melon’s burgers. I still go there once in a blue moon for a burger.
June 29, 2020 at 1:51 pm |
This is New York – how could you get Domino’s, Papa John’s or other chain junk when Mom and Pop have your slice waiting?