HOBOKEN — Like many old cities, Hoboken still has some painted signs from the past coating the brick walls of its buildings — including one for Goodman’s Haberdashery at First and Washington streets (that store ran from 1923 until the 1990s) and one for Doc Izzo’s TV and Radio Repair at Seventh and Wash.
But another old-timey painted sign, for a commercial stationery store at Fourth and Washington streets, was painted over last week — disappointing at least one local resident.
Hoboken resident and writer Jack Silbert happened to snap a shot last week of someone working on scaffolding near the sign, but he wasn’t sure if they would really paint over the whole thing. Days later, he saw the same sign — covered up in white, with stenciling for a beer ad to come. He expressed some sadness that this piece of history is gone. (For another view of the sign, check out Frank H. Jump’s ‘Fading Ad Blog.’)
All buildings on Washington Street fall under the designation of the historic district, but that doesn’t necessarily S.O.S. — Save Our Signs. So what do you think: Should businesses should be asked not to paint over the last of Hoboken’s old-time signs — or is it none of our business what anyone does with their private property?
COMMENT BELOW! (And to submit your photos of anything relevant in Hudson County, like Jack did, e-mail us at editorial@hudsonreporter.com).
Old-time sign painted over in Hoboken
