Hendry's Shoes

Business:  Hendry's Shoes

Location:  657 Barton Street East, east of Earl Street

Neighbourhood:  Gibson/Barton Village

Sign Type:  wall, grand projecting

Materials of Note:  Vitrolite, neon, mechanical elements

Barton Village is home to a wealth of beautiful churches, Polish, Portugese and Italian delis and bakerys and outstanding old signs and shop fronts. Hendry's is a striking old storefront with a dignified wall sign in pretty great condition and a grand projecting sign in less than great condition. The black sign is made of Vitrolite, an opaque glass material commonly associated with the Art Deco and Art Moderne movements. The font, Broadway, is a typeface typical of the 1920s and 1930s. This article that appeared in the Spec shortly after Hendry's closed in 2012 indicates that the shop opened in 1928, so it is quite likely that the shop's sign is the 85 year-old original. Along with its striped black and white awning, this old sign cuts a clean cloth, exuding an air of sophistication and elegant masculinity.  

Hendry's grand projecting sign, west face

Hendry's grand projecting sign is well-worn from time and the elements.  Much of the colour has faded.  The clock featured towards the bottom of the sign is unique, and the text wide regular narrow looks like a much later addition.  I would love to see an old photo of this sign with its neon lit. It's great (and rare) to see a pair of signs like these two together.  This storefront seems to be a well-known one in Barton Village, and I hope whoever purchases the building chooses to keep (if not restore) these treasures.