One of my initial features in Forgotten New York nearly 20 years ago concerned the gigantic neon signs built to attract notice from motorists on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway and the IND F elevated, both of which rise 90 feet above the Gowanus Canal to allow tall-masted ships to pass under them. Though the Eagle Clothes sign and Kentile neon signs are now gone, I’m happy to report that Bruno truck rental is still holding forth, as well as the “R” on what was the E.J. Trum billboard at #80 Richards Street at Delevan.
In 2000 I wrote:
When John Turano bought the building in 1978, intending to make it a furniture manufacturer warehouse, the previous business to occupy the site was paper-goods manufacturer E.J. Trum, and Trum’s gigantic sign occupied the frame. When Turano attempted to pull down the letters to install his own sign, the “R” wouldn’t budge, and the lone “R” has been a part of Red Hook’s landscape for 22 years. The first period is still in place, as well.
Today #80 Richards is a warehouse for
Idea Nuova Global, Inc. develops, manufactures, and distributes home, room decor, and lifestyle products in the United States and internationally. The company’s products include bedding, pillows, lighting, rugs, window coverings, bath accessories, towels, slumber, decorative accessories, furniture, and toys. It also provides licensed products from other manufacturers/brands. The company offers products for tweens/teens and young adults/adults. It sells its products through a network of retailers. The company was founded in 1987 and is based in New York, New York with additional offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia. [Bloomberg.com]
Glad to see that R is still hanging in there, literally. Does anyone have a picture of the complete E. J. Trum sign?
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11/9/18
5 comments
If you look close enough, you can make out the letters in the structure, most notably the M.
I have read so many posts on the topic of the blogger lovers except this paragraph is really a pleasant article, keep it up.
When I was a girl, I remember Mr. Trum. We used to go to home in Greenwood lake, NY. His grandson Dennis and I grew up together.
It is wonderful to see this article EJ Trum (Emmanuel Joseph was my great great grandfather.
I worked there in the early sixties and Mr Trum
Was a great guy. We would help the family move
For the summer. They lived around the parade grounds
In Brooklyn in a nice big home. I left in 65 to go into
The service and never returned but will always remember
The place