04/21/2026
I started preservation this week on an uncovered ghost sign at 8002 Kercheval (soon to be Gabriel Hall!), and it’s a really interesting one!
It first came out as a Bashor Confectionery sign, but learning the building’s history, working through the loose paint, and stabilizing the surface, more layers of the composition are starting to read. You can now make out “Famous Jersey Brand Ice Cream” alongside that cool hand-painted sundae that’s still holding on better than it should.
Underneath that, there’s an earlier layer from around 1921 for Frank Furniture Co., including the phrase “Liberal Credit Terms” stretched across the lower section. The layers are not surprisingly aligning with my research; this wall has seen a few different businesses come and go, and you can follow that history just by working your way through the paint.
Right now the focus is on preservation and documentation, getting everything stabilized and understanding what’s actually here. After that, the plan is a time-honored restoration that brings back some clarity and legibility while keeping the age and character that make it worth saving in the first place.
This one’s going to be fun. I have a lot to share, come along! More soon!
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