Historic Hillsboro Village neon sign removed ahead of business closure

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Hillsboro Village is saying goodbye to a historic neon sign as Friedman’s Surplus & Outdoors prepares to close its doors permanently later this week. The sign, which has been a beacon for nearly 70 years, will no longer illuminate the area, but new owners said they are dedicated to its restoration.

Liquid Fire Vintage Neon, a company specializing in the restoration and sale of neon signs, purchased the sign originally made for Friedman’s in 1955.

Klint Griffin, the owner of Liquid Fire Vintage Neon, said the restoration process will involve replacing damaged glass and wiring. He said it will take three to four months and cost tens of thousands of dollars.

“A lot of these signs are disappearing because of the growth we’re having in the greater Nashville area,” Griffin said. “That’s just the negative outcome of that. So we try to save as many as we can, so someone or some people can enjoy them in the future.”

Griffin said he hopes the restored sign will find a new home in the Nashville area. His customers range from private buyers to musicians, restaurants, bars, hotels and event centers.

The neon lights of the sign, spelling “Army & Navy War Surplus,” have been a fixture in the neighborhood for 56 years. Griffin, who said he has admired the sign for three decades, saw it as an important piece of local history worth preserving.

“It’s Americana at this point. It’s part of American history,” Griffin said. “Neon signs are still being made today. Just look at Lower Broadway. And there’s something warm and fuzzy about looking at neon versus digital.”

Just next door to Friedman’s, Daphne McFarland, a waitress at Brown’s Diner, has seen the sign’s glow for 35 years. She said the flow of customers between the diner and Friedman’s has been mutually beneficial.

“Some come over here after they’ve been there or vice versa,” McFarland said. “It’ll be a sad day to know that Friedman’s is not over there anymore.”

Friedman’s last official day of business is June 15, 2024.

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