A city is constantly changing, and when one business closes, another opens in its place. It isn’t anything new. But what is always super cool is when you find a piece of history in unexpected places, and it’s even more exciting when those links to the past are in fantastic condition. The discovery of former business signs covered by new businesses, known as ghost signs, has become common in recent years.
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Yesterday, one of these ghost signs from the 1950s was uncovered on Wealthy St., sending people on a trip back in time after the sign for Reme’s Drug Store was discovered during a building renovation in perfect condition.
Remes Drug Store, 1951-1984
The Remes Drug Store was a popular drug store at 2130–2138 Wealthy Street SE. It was a fixture of Wealthy St. for much of the baby boomers’ era. With kids of all ages recounting memories of getting warm cashews and running down the aisles in Remes.
The store closed in 1984 after it was bought and converted into a Rite Aid, which is what it has been ever since. However, following Rite Aid’s bankruptcy and the closure of all stores last year, the building is now in new ownership and is undergoing renovations.
This was the sign that had managed to survive all these years, perfectly preserved behind the Rite Aid’s facade. According to Mary at the East Grand Rapids History Room, this sign is from the 1970s. The East Grand Rapids History Room has also announced that it has secured the signage and plans to display it in its museum…