What started as a way to participate in his sister’s recycled art store has grown into an 18-year business for Tucson artist Levi Koenen. His shop, The Lost Highway Sign Company, creates custom signs, lamps, tables, keychains, and magnetic bottle openers from recycled license plates, wood, soda tabs, and old car parts.
Koenen, a former P.E. teacher, said the business grew from a simple realization about his own skills.
“It started because my sister owns Pop Cycle down on 4th Avenue, which is a recycled art store, and I wanted to be a part of it,” Koenen said. “And I can’t paint or draw a picture to save my life, but I’ve always been able to weld and do tool and textile stuff.”…