Reviewed by: Sarah Gronberg
Historic Alabama Farmers Market sign restored by Magic City Signs [PHOTOS]
Reading time: 3 minutes
The iconic Jefferson Country Truck Growers Assn. Farmers Market neon sign along Finley Avenue West has recently received a complete restoration, thanks to Magic City Signs! Read on to learn more.
About the Alabama Farmers Market
According to the Alabama Farmers Market website, the local farmers market dates back to 1921, when 18 produce-growers in Jefferson County formed the Jefferson County Truck Growers Association, creating a place to sell their produce. Although the market has moved locations six times, it’s been held at its current location in Acipco-Finley since 1956.
Owned and operated by Alabama farmers, the Alabama Farmers Market is used by between 2,000 and 2,500 farmers each year and is open to the public seven days a week, 365 days a year from 6AM to 7PM (depending on the season).
Bringing a Birmingham landmark back to life
When the Alabama Farmers Market moved to its current location in 1956, the Jefferson County Truck Growers Association erected a large neon sign along Finley Avenue West pointing market-goers in the right direction. However, 67 years of weathering caused the paint to fade, and the neon has long-since been gone.
In order to restore the iconic sign to its former glory, the Alabama Farmers Market contacted Magic City Signs—a local business that specializes in custom sign design, neon and restoration. Magic City Signs has worked on a number of iconic signs around Birmingham, including:
- The Alabama Theatre sign
- Dave’s Pizza in Homewood
- Pete’s Famous Hot Dogs
- Continental Drift
- The City Federal Building
- Their own sign along 22nd Street South
According to a Facebook post by Magic City Signs, the restoration process began in mid-August with 36 hours of chemical stripping and sanding to remove the original paint from the porcelain enamel neon sign.
Now, just under three weeks later, the historic sign looks just as stunning as it did in 1956. And wait until you see it at night.
Want to see the restored sign for yourself? Head over to the Alabama Farmers Market at 344 Finley Ave W, Birmingham, AL 35204 to see it lit up after dark!
Do you have old photos of the Alabama Farmers Market? Tag us @bhamnow to share with us!
