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". 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 50 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	cleaners Dalton, GA	Shop N Save Harvey, IL	Vanity Box Chicago, IL	former cleaners Chicago, IL

The Dean's Village Cleaners Norge Ball includes their name. I don't know if these signs could be ordered with customized lettering or if this was altered later on. This Dalton cleaners has their ball mounted on the roof. The Shop N Save Norge Ball is also a bit battered. 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 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 is on top of a pole in front of their store. 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 Maplewood, MN	Manchester Karate Studio Manchester, NH	Video Palace Tucumcari, NM	Natural Pet Center Fargo, ND

The Maplewood Wondermat sign and laundry are from 1961. The Manchester Karate Studio has been here since 1984. Their ball is installed on the roof. The Video Palace updated the ring around their ball with their own name. The Natural Pet Center ball is on a freestanding pole in their parking lot.

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

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 Signs page 2

Main Signs Page

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