Norge Village Cleaners was a nationwide laundromat chain based in Chicago. In the early 1960s, the company developed these plastic, polka-dotted ball signs, now affectionately nicknamed "Norge Balls". They are roughly four feet in diameter. The dots remind many people of Wonder Bread wrappers. These signs revolved and were lit from the inside. They were usually mounted on freestanding poles but many were also installed on the laundromat's roof. In addition, Norge Village Cleaners featured other plastic signage on their storefronts. These signs are even rarer than the balls now. In 1967, there were 3,400 Norge Village locations. My guess is that all or the majority of them had these signs. Of the roughly 60 known to still exist, I don't believe any of them are still lit. As far as I know, the only one that still spins is in Iron Mountain, MI (see next page).

Dean's Village Cleaners Tucson, AZ		Video Palace Tucumcari, NM		cleaners Dalton, GA

Dean's Village Cleaners opened in 1961 and this sign may have been there from the beginning. This Norge Ball includes the company's name on the band around the middle. I don't know if these signs could be ordered with customized lettering or if this was altered later on. The Video Palace updated the ring around this Norge ball with the store's name at some point. The store has been closed for at least a few years. These photos are from 2012. This Dalton cleaners Norge Ball is mounted on the roof. Although the paint has faded and mostly fallen off, the original Norge lettering is still visible on the band around the middle.

Shop N Save [gone] Harvey, IL	Vanity Box Chicago, IL	former cleaners Chicago, IL

The Shop N Save Norge Ball was also pretty battered when this photo was taken in 2008. By 2012, it was gone. The Vanity Box, a beauty salon, has adapted this sign. This other Chicago former Norge laundry is now a boarded-up building.

Star Deli Food Store St. Petersburg, FL	Maitland Coin Laundry Maitland, FL	Norgetown [gone] Miami, FL	4 Paws Oasis Largo, FL	former coin laundry Largo, FL

The Star Deli Food Store probably took over a former laundromat at this site. Most of the Florida Norge Balls are striped. There is another one in St. Petersburg as well. The Maitland Coin Laundry is another striped example. The apparently original "Norgetown" lettering makes me wonder if this wasn't a spin-off company from Norge Village. That might also explain the striped ball design. The Miami Norgetown's striped ball was on top of a pole in front of the store. This photo was taken in 2005. By 2012, the ball was gone. The 4 Paws Oasis pet shop was previously a laundromat. This sign is still installed on their roof. For more, see their website. This former coin laundry, whether a Norgetown or a Norge Village, is gone now. This ball still stands over the adapted sign for Michael's Food Store.

Norgetown Laundromat & Dry Cleaners [removed] Sanford, ME

The Norgetown Laundromat & Dry Cleaners closed in 2009 and moved down the street. The Norge Ball sign is now at the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, OH. I don't know if there were other striped versions of these Norge Balls in Maine or if this one was brought up from Florida.

Wondermat [gone] Maplewood, MN	Manchester Karate Studio Manchester, NH	Bubba & Company Fargo, ND

The Maplewood Wondermat sign and laundry were from 1961. This photo is from around 2001. By 2011, the sign was gone. The Manchester Karate Studio has been here since 1984. Their Norge ball is installed on the roof. The Bubba & Company Norge ball is broken and being swallowed up by a tree. For more, see this website.

Fashion Care Corp. Albany, NY		Norge Village [gone] DeKalb, IL	Norge Cleaners and Laundry San Gabriel, CA	Norge Village Cleaners Long Beach, CA	Fashion Cleaners South Pasadena, CA

The Fashion Care Corp. cleaners closed in 2011 and a new business was moving in. I don't know what will happen with this Norge Ball. The Norge Village laundromat was replaced with Inboden's Meat Market but the Norge Ball remained for several years. It was one of the best preserved balls I have seen, however, it disappeared in 2007. This San Gabriel Norge Ball is mounted on the roof. This location is still going by the name of Norge Cleaners and Laundry. The Long Beach Norge Village Cleaners has this fading Norge Ball installed on the the roof. The Fashion Cleaners Norge Ball was painted brown at some point. For more, see this website.

Ranburn Laundry & Cleaners Gary, IN

Ranburn Laundry & Cleaners is a former Norge Village Laundry. This location has the nicest collection of Norge signage that I have seen.

Jackson's Cleaners Gary, IN	Glen Park Cleaners Gary, IN	Hobart Village Cleaners Hobart, IN

Jackson's Cleaners features a battered Norge Ball on their roof. Glen Park Cleaners's Norge Ball is also installed on the roof. Hobart Village Cleaners has two Norge Ball pole signs - one at each entrance to their lot. I don't know of any other locations that have two of these signs.

Imogene's Cleaning Center Sheboygan, WI	Plymouth Fabricare Center Plymouth, WI

Imogene's Cleaning Center features the only black and white Norge ball sign that I've ever seen. It may have been these colors originally since there is no sign of the original paint. Imogene's has been around since 1962. The Plymouth Fabricare Center Norge Ball advertises for Plymouth Video on the other side. For more, see this website.

Norge Village Cleaners Menomonie, WI

The Norge Village Cleaners was "closed temporarily due to a fire" when these photos were taken in 2011.

Norge Signs page 2

Main Signs Page

copyright: all photos contained at this website are copyrighted and may be used only with consent

RoadsideArchitecture.com