K-D Sales - Kalamazoo, MI - Googie Architecture on Waymarking.com

Long Description:
Back in the 1960's Norge Village Cleaners had these signs made for their franchise locations. They lit up and spun around. Originally there were hundreds of them, now there are about 50, and only one known to still light up and spin.

After the company went bankrupt, many of the franchises got bought out and the locations then were used for various different businesses. Some of which make over the "Norge Ball" for their own needs.

K-D Sales is an execllent example, but there's more to the story.

A few years ago, K-D moved to the building across the street, but in order to move the sign, they would have had to tear up the sidewalk and remove all the electrical work, ie; conduit and wiring, per city ordinance. Then they would have to replace the sidewalk.

So, they left if across the street. The management at K-D Sales told us it is now owned by the owner of the old building. He also told us that since moving the Norge Ball wasn't going to happen, he also left behind an original Norge Clock. It has two faces on opposing sides and two speakers.

We went across the street and could see the clock through the glass front door and had been told that the folks in the restaurant next door might let us in to get a closer look.
The man who let us in said the owner offered him the clock, but he didn't want it either. So he said if we could get it down from the ceiling we could have it.

So we went back to our motel. We spoke with a contractor who was filling in for the motel owner. He got his ladder and we returned.

The Norge Clock is ours!

Having known about these Norge Balls for a few years now, we knew they were quite rare, but the clock may be one of a kind.
Thanks again Matt for your help!

Type of Structure: Signage Atomic Model(s): yes Physical Address: 2039 S. Burdick St Kalamazoo, MI USA Web Address or URL: [Web Link] Upswept Roof / Folded Plate Roof(s): Not Listed Large Dome(s): Not Listed Large Sheet Glass Window(s): Not Listed Boomerang and/or Arrow Shape(s): Not Listed Amoebae Shape(s): Not Listed Starburst(s): Not Listed Exposed Steel Beam(s): Not Listed Flying Saucer/Rocket Shape(s): Not Listed If I knew, I'd be an architect: Not Listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   10/20/2009 krisscop visited it

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