Sam The Record Man - Iconic Neon Signs

Iconic Neon Signs

The Yonge Street location was always noted for its kitschy signage. Its first neon signage included the store's address in large neon "347" numbers vertically aligned between two windows. On the left side was a thermometer made from neon. On the far right was a neon multi-sectioned triangle similar to the one on top of the Canada Life Building, which indicated weather conditions depending on how it was blinking. In the late 1960s, the iconic spinning record replaced the previous neon signs, with the second neon record being added in the mid 1980s. The buildings where the sign hung were two Second Empire structures (one building was formerly McDonald and Wilson Lighting store with the second floor bricked off to allow for the sign to be installed, the other was Steeles' Tavern, whose upstairs windows had been bricked off when the store became a women's fashion store (Le Chateau) following the closing of the restaurant. Both buildings have since been demolished.