Sunday, January 6, 2013


Light fantastic: Photographer catalogs the glowing neon signs illuminating store fronts across New York City


The neon lights of New York are the subject of a collection of photographs showing off the glowing marquees in the city that never sleeps. 
Photographers James and Karla Murray captured the signs illuminating establishments across the city and compiled the snapshots in their book 'New York Nights' published in December 2012. 
The book is organized into seven sections that highlights sings in Manhattan below 14th Street, 14th Street to 34th Street, 34th Street to 59th Street, above 59th Street and then The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.
'New York Nights is the result, a book that thrills us because the city is switched on,' the photographers said in a description of their project.
'The photographs continue in their powerful style – with structures rendered magnificently by a photographer duo possessing absolute mastery of a self-created genre.'
'No other city in the world stages dusk to dawn like New York City. Whether it's a glimpse out of a bus window pulling into the terminal at Port Authority, or the first step out onto the sidewalk under the Times Square lights after the end of a Broadway show that started before sunset - any visitor is immediately drawn to the city's lights. Even simply viewing the illuminated city from the George Washington Bridge on the drive into Manhattan can be undeniably exciting,' they added in the book's forward. 
The pair, who live in New york City and Miami, had previously collected photographs of store entrances across the city in their 2008 book 'Store Front.'
Roxy Delicatessen has been in business since 1946. Located in the heart of Times Square, it is known for its huge sandwiches and famous cheesecake
Lenox Lounge was founded in 1939 by the Greco family and named for its location on Lenox Avenue. It became a hot spot for after-hours jam sessions, boasting performances by jazz legends such as Billie Holiday, John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Due to a steep rent increase, it recently closed on December 31, 2012
Vesuvio Bakery located in SoHo was in business from 1920 - 2008


The Wonder Wheel was erected in Coney Island in 1920 and still operates today as part of Deno¿s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park located on the Boardwalk by Denos Vourderis Place. The father of the current owner of the Coney Island Wonder Wheel often told his wife that one day he would buy the Wonder Wheel for her as a wedding present 'a ring so big that everyone in the world would see how much he loved her, a ring that would never be lost'

Katz's Delicatessen was established in 1888. It's famous for its Jewish deli foods such as kosher hot dogs, hot pastrami, and corned beef sandwiches

Nom Wah Tea Parlor was founded in 1920 and is the oldest dim sum restaurant in Chinatown

Bleecker Bob's Records was founded by Bob Plotnick in 1967 on Bleecker Street. The store is considered by many to be a New York City landmark as it is one of the city¿s oldest independent record stores, packed with wooden bins and milk crates of records with handmade cardboard and masking tape dividers
Carnegie Delicatessen was established in 1937 and is best known for its pastrami, corned beef and brisket sandwiches, which are overstuffed with at least one pound of meat.

Zig Zag Records located in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn was in business until December 2010.
Empire Diner in Hell's Kitchen (right) was located inside a 1946 Fodero Dining Car. In late 2009 the diner closed after lease renewal negotiations with the landlord failed.

Cabaret and piano bar Duplex in Greenwich Village is the first place that both Woody Allen and Joan Rivers performed their stand-up routines.
M & G Diner, a Harlem landmark, closed in 2008

Mark Twain had his prescriptions filled at Greenwich Village’s C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries, in the Bronx.


City Island and Lobster House (right) in the Bronx has been in business for over 25 years and is a popular destination for diners from all over the tri-state area, arriving by either car or boat.

Ralph's Discount City located in TriBeCa was in business from 1963 - 2007.

Ideal Dinettes located in Bushwick, Brooklyn was in business from 1953 - 2008.

CBGB opened in December 1973 in the East Village and became known as the birthplace of American punk rock. It closed in October 2006 when it lost it's lease. 
White Horse Tavern: It was 'business as usual' during Prohibition at Greenwich Village's White Horse Tavern and that Jimmy Walker, the Mayor of New York City, had given instructions to the local precinct to 'leave the tavern alone'.
Smith's Bar in Hell's Kitchen has been in business since 1954

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