I Found the Coolest Vintage Building Sign Letters…for FREE!
I love when the universe conspires to put something in my path that quickens my heart rate–like these vintage building sign letters I got for free today!
(Yes, I said free).
I had just left a horrible doctor’s appointment (have you ever had a tube inserted up your nose and down your esophagus?? Um….it’s not fun….).
Around the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC area, traffic is a nightmare, especially during the early afternoon/rush-hour.
I was on I-495 and bad traffic forced me to take a local road. May as well stop by my favorite organic store to pick up some of my favorite tea, since my alternate route would lead me right past there.
But what do my eyes see as I park my van??
Some folks removing these vintage building sign letters from an old Chinese food buffet restaurant that has been out of business for months!
Without hesitation, I excited walked over to the very-little-English speaking new restaurant owners, anxiously wanting to know what they were going to do with the old building sign letters.
ME: [gesturing towards the trash bin] “Are you going to throw them in the trash??”
THEM: “Huh? Oh….no.”
ME: [Excited smile, hands grasping my chest] “Oh! I want them! I want all! [insert arm waving] Can I have some? I will pay for them.”
THEM: [Giggles] “How many you want? Which ones you want?”
ME: [Eager] “Can I have 3??”
THEM: “Ok, 3.”
I was willing to pay for them because I know how much letters like this cost! You’ve been to those vintage stores that sell vintage building sign letters like this for at least $50 or more each.
At least.
But the fact that they were willing to give some to me–swoon……They were fabulous!
I stood there thinking quickly about what I could spell out with these awesome letters before they changed their minds.
I was hoping for a D…I…Y, but unfortunately, there weren’t any “D”s and there were no “S”s “Serena” either.
Nope…Not “T” “D” for Thrift Diving, either.
But….they had an “A” for Appiah, my last name!
That’ll work.
Here in the Appiah household, two of my sons and my husband’s name all begin with “K” so of course, I asked for that!
I eagerly waited as they removed the “K.”
I got excited for a moment when I saw the outline of an “S” but apparently, that “S” was from an older sign from a previous business many years ago.
Darnnit!
Beggers can’t be choosers, though, and I was soooo thankful they were allowing me to take home the letters that I got!
The only thing one of the owner wanted was to remove the stickers on the sides which had some numbers on them.
I’m assuming these were similar to SKU numbers or something.
After she removed them, she handed them over to me.
I stacked those babies in the back of my van very carefully so I didn’t crack the plastic, thankful for the detour I took today. (You’ll notice that the covers are red plastic and the backings are metal).
Oh–and the coolest thing they allowed me to take was this ampersand!
There were small lights in them, but it looks like the writing was cut in order to remove them.
I’ll likely create my own lights inside.
Shouldn’t be a problem.
Gleefully, I drove away excited at their generosity. They totally didn’t have to allow some random stranger like me to walk up and ask for old vintage letters from the building that is soon to become their new Korean BBQ restaurant! But they did, and I was so happy about it!
And just to give you some perspective of how tall these vintage building sign letters are, I asked my middle son to stand next to them. 🙂
They nearly come up to his shoulder!!
The big question now is, “What are you going to do with them, Serena?”
I’m thinking of putting them in hubby’s office. Since he’s technically “K” and A”….I mean, it makes sense.
But I may keep the ampersand to myself and find a place to hang it and light it up in my garage.
….Perhaps when I remove my DIY wall-mounted Christmas tree after the holidays! 🙂
OMG, wasn’t that the best (FREE!!!!) discovery today??
Finds that good rarely happen on a random Monday outside of a Korean restaurant. HA!
Sometimes the universe conspires to deliver you a bit of good luck on a day when you can really use it. 🙂
Have you ever had a great discovery where you got something for free that made your heart race a little faster?
Let me know in the comments section! 🙂
Download the 5 freebies!
Thrift Diving inspires women to decorate, improve, and maintain their home themselves...using paint, power tools, and thrift stores! Use these 5 printables, checklists, and ebooks to get started!
AWESOME find! You are so LUCKY!
Thanks, Chris! I couldn’t believe my luck today! ?
When I go to thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, etc., I always look for old photos with full names on them. I try to do some research and identify a descendant to whom I can give the photos. It is so much fun to see how excited a family is when I am willing to share a marriage cert, family photos, etc. from grand grandma or Uncle so and so. They always want to know how much I charge and are thrilled when I say, “Nothing.”
Not too long ago, I got a call from an estate sale rep who remembered my little spiel about my love of ephemera and connecting it to its extended family. She had some autograph books and a photo album that belonged to a childless couple. The executor of the estate didn’t want the stuff, nor did any of the nieces and nephews or any visitors to the sale. The estate person couldn’t bear to throw these treasures into the trash, and so she called me. She thought I might be able to find them a home. Well . . . . after researching the 18oo’s autograph book, I found it contained the names of school children who were members of the founding families of a small town in California. I called the local historical society’s curator, who was thrilled to have the autograph book and was able to identify many of the unnamed people in the velvet photo album. These 150+ year old treasures will be well taken care of. for years to come. That’s my favorite free find!
Oh my goodness! You are simply amazing!! I really think you should have a camera in hand when you reunite these loved ones and friends and family with these treasures because these special moments deserved to be shared with everyone! Thank you so much for sharing these great stories. I don’t think I will ever look at another photograph at the thrift store or estate sale the same way. You’re amazing!!
LOVED IT! LOVED IT! YOU MADE ME SMILE, AND REJOICE AT YOUR GREAT FIND. I’M AN OLDER THRIFT DIVER BUT
HAVE HAD THOSE THRILL FINDS THAT START THE HEART PUMPING. SOMETIMES IT WAS OVER A LITTLE THING (NOT
AS GREAT AS YOUR LETTERS) BUT IT WAS THE KEY TO A PROJECT I WAS WORKING ON OR JUST THE THING TO MAKE
A ROOM POP! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
MERRY CHRISTMAS & GREAT FINDS IN THE NEW YEAR!!
Hi, Jean! You know, sometimes it can be the smallest thing that makes us excited! Life is fun like that, isn’t it?? 🙂 Thanks so much for commenting, and I’m glad you love the letter! Let’s hope I can find a cool spot for them somewhere! 🙂
You make my day. I wait for you posts. Please don’t stop.
Awww….thank you, Rachel Mary! Sorry I’ve been away and haven’t been posting as much! Now that the holidays are here, I’ll enjoy those and jump back into my regular schedule. That will feel so nice. Thanks for being my ‘net friend! 🙂
My daughter in law had an old chest/coffee table she was tired of and was throwing out.. one hinge was broke,lid would mash fingers if not very careful..was a ugly thing.. Honestly, I would druel over that table/chest “Everytime” I visited.. Husband thought I was nutso.. I literally ran over to her and said uhh no.. Please.. I’ll take it.. Hubby was like noway we taking that home..
Needless to say I brought it home, stripped top and painted the base.
Son and daughter in law couldn’t believe it was the same piece of furniture..
I’m still in love with it..
Hubby ate words.. Lol..Bless his heart.. Says it’s his favorite piece of furniture that I’ve done by far.?
Ha!! If I were you I’d never let him live down the doubt! 🙂 I love how some people just don’t see the beauty in things but once it’s done they’re like, “Ohhhh, it looks so nice now!” Glad that some of us have a vision to see past the “ugly.” I would love to see a picture of this chest!
Oh, you lucky thing! They are great!
Thanks, Dawn!! 🙂 I can’t wait to hang them somewhere. I’ve got to get some lights for them!
Omg ? I was so THRILLED for you as I read of your excitement in the post! You’re amazing I have to say! What a great end of a bad day!
I’ve had a lousy one myself, so hearing of yours made me feel better that mine wasn’t as bad
(No thingy down my throat)?!!
First time I’ve ever commented here but I’m no stranger to you. I’m not much of a DIY’er, but have been a wannabe forever now, and the odds and ends I’ve collected over time have created a tad of a space problem since divorce and downsizing, BUT, I swear that’ll change one day too.
I know I’ve found some pretty spectacular things but can’t think of one now! lol
LOVE THE AMPERSAND!!! Can’t wait to see it lit up wherever you decide to use it, as well as the K and A for hubby!
Hey there, Nancy! Glad you made it out of the “lurker” category and commented! Yay! I love new commenters. Once you do it once, it’s easier to do it again. Lol. Oh wow, your home is a treasure trove! Sorry to hear about your divorce and downsizing. Will you have to get rid of some of your treasures? I’d love to know that you are going to get starts with DIY for 2018. What’s stopping you? I’ll see if I can help!
Thanks for the reply Serena! Divorce and downsizing no fun, BUT, I’m still trying to think of it as whatever I do, it’ll be all about me, and making things “my own”, as I wish. Have had lots of problems getting organized to get started on projects to be totally honest. I still have lots of old memories buried in boxes and bins I’ve avoided. Have had offers to help me but seems to never work out.
(I have issues over sentimental things), would be much easier with a friend or even a stranger. A few bottles of wine a couple weekends and maybe I could get rid of the ghosts!!
Any advice would be appreciated!!
AWESOME… Is really to mild of word to describe this incredible find(Free) @ that… Wossiers… I’m in envy..that’s a good envy.. LOL.
As for the test you had today!! Been there.. Done that.. Don’t wanna repeat…
Ugh, that test!! You know the horror of it! Now I know why they said “Don’t eat or drink for 4 hours before the test.” ? It wasn’t pretty. Lol.
I was driving by a house being demolished and saw a stack of wood to be burned. On top was a window, old, paint peeling and no glass. I pulled in and no one was around so I put that puppy in my trunk. When I got home I cleaned it, put a sealer on the paint and hung it at an angle over my bed. My husband thought I was nuts but I have received many compliments for my usual decor. I wish I could include a picture.
That sounds awesome! Too bad no pic! Would love to see it!
That sounds like a great find! I’d love to see it. Can you email me a pic? Se****@**********ng.com. I want to see!
Omg! That is fantastic!! I love free things!!
Thanks, Lisa! I agree. Especially things that clearly would have cost at least $200 total!! I wish there wasn’t that language barrier so I could find out what they were planning to do with the rest!!