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Vintage neon signs

Messages
15,259
Location
Arlington, Virginia
Hard to beat a big neon arrow pointing at a liquor store. It's like two of the most joyous things I can think of rolled into one.

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Right? Upon pulling up, I would have thought this place was abandoned, but it is still open. Was over there for work this morning. Its one of those areas where you want to start at 6 AM and be gone before noon. I kept a sharp eye on the truck.
 
Messages
12,135
Location
East of Los Angeles
Elvis stayed here.
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This post made me curious, so I looked online and found this not-so-glowing one star review:

"A classic 1940s motel, where scores of stars, including Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley, once stayed, the Drake Motel draws attention these days because of its hard-luck vibe and nostalgia-inducing neon sign: the 1993 movie The Thing Called Love, starring River Phoenix and Sandra Bullock, and the video for Jason Aldean's song "The Truth" were both filmed here. But let's be real: the Drake isn't for everybody. The furnishings in the rooms are dated and low-end, although a few rooms have artwork paying homage to stars that once slept there. If you're an adventure seeker who's not afraid to bed down in a sketchy part of town, go for it. If not, there's no harm in stopping by the lobby for a quick look-see and a photo next to the life-size, autographed cutout of Dolly."

I1SQyi8.gif
 
Messages
13,693
Location
down south
This post made me curious, so I looked online and found this not-so-glowing one star review:

"A classic 1940s motel, where scores of stars, including Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley, once stayed, the Drake Motel draws attention these days because of its hard-luck vibe and nostalgia-inducing neon sign: the 1993 movie The Thing Called Love, starring River Phoenix and Sandra Bullock, and the video for Jason Aldean's song "The Truth" were both filmed here. But let's be real: the Drake isn't for everybody. The furnishings in the rooms are dated and low-end, although a few rooms have artwork paying homage to stars that once slept there. If you're an adventure seeker who's not afraid to bed down in a sketchy part of town, go for it. If not, there's no harm in stopping by the lobby for a quick look-see and a photo next to the life-size, autographed cutout of Dolly."

I1SQyi8.gif
Well...to be fair, when I'm traveling I tend to want to spend the least amount of money on a temporary place to sleep as possible so as to maximize the amount I have with which to enjoy myself wherever I'm visiting.
I didn't stay at the Drake (I stayed at a far more questionable looking place down the road) but it looked to be clean and very well kept up. I think the fact that it's in a part of town that probably has seen its better days might be off-putting for some folks.

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Messages
13,693
Location
down south
I found this old picture on the web of the place I stayed in Nashville last weekend. The sign doesn't look like that anymore, unfortunately, but the room was cheap, the bed was comfortable, and there was a liquor store across the street. I'm easy enough to please.
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Messages
17,485
Location
New York City
I found this old picture on the web of the place I stayed in Nashville last weekend. The sign doesn't look like that anymore, unfortunately, but the room was cheap, the bed was comfortable, and there was a liquor store across the street. I'm easy enough to please.
bcbf59c229b9917a5c18c7a6e4e31322.jpg


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I believe, in the newspaper biz, you'd be accused of burying the lead as this is the story, "there was a liquor store across the street." :)
 
Messages
17,485
Location
New York City
Cheap and sketchy has never bothered me; I typically travel with some sort of "protective/defensive device" in my possession, just in case.

I like staying in these older places just for the ambiance and atmosphere... one day, they'll all be gone, replaced by bland, generic big-box motels.

Rob

Over the 22+ years my girlfriend and I have been together, when traveling, we've sought out the old, quirky, historic, etc. places to stay. Some have been in great shape, some quite run down - but almost everyone of them offered something to a Fedora Lounge person.

What we've sadly noticed, especially since the economy has been expanding for nine-plus years, is that those places are either being torn down or renovated to a modern "standard"/decor that strips out most of their historical character.

That's happened to several of the places we've stayed at over the years. Oh, and the price of rooms goes up a heck of a lot after the renovation.
 

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