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Bert's Pharmacy sign donated to Hastings Museum
The Hastings Museum received an iconic piece of local history on Thursday, July 6.
Tom and Jalaene Choquette donated the large, orange and blue enamel sign with neon lights that had hung outside the Bert’s Pharmacy building, at 700 W. Second St. The Choquettes owned the Bert’s Pharmacy building, which was destroyed by fire on March 14, 2022.
Bert’s Pharmacy continues to operate a location at 1021 W. 14th St.
In thinking about what to do with the sign, the Choquettes wanted to share the sign with the Hastings community.
“What better place than the museum,” Tom Choquette said.
The sign has been maintained by the Tri-City Sign Company.
Representatives of the Hastings Museum, Hastings Utilities warehouse department and the Tri-City Sign Company assisted in delivering the sign to the museum.
Tom Choquette estimated the sign weighs between 400 and 500 pounds.
Dan Brosz, Curator of Collections for the Hastings Museum, coordinated the delivery and display of the sign for the Hastings Museum.
The sign is currently on display outside of the Kool-Aid exhibit, in the museum basement. Brosz said the intention is to eventually display the sign in the planned Hastings-area history exhibit on the museum’s second floor.
“These opportunities for museums don’t come along very often, especially local museums,” Brosz said of receiving the sign, which still works.
He described the sign as a “tremendously cool artifact.”
“It really is a significant piece in our community’s history,” Brosz said.
Published Date: 07/ 7/2023