Just What Time Exactly IS Gay Time?

April 4th, 2005 · 3 Comments

gaytime.jpg
Gay Time Self Service Store, Wicker Park, Chicago

Saw this old sign while crossing Milwaukee Avenue and wondered how old exactly it is. Of course, Googling “Gay” along with “Self Service” brings up all the wrong sorts of results.

Update
The ever-resourceful Joe S. found this Gaytime ad for me in a historical newspaper database where he works. I’m going to assume it was during his lunch break. The ad ran in the Chicago Tribune on June 26, 1932. I’m sure it is for the same store because one of the addresses listed in the ad, 1286 Milwaukee Ave., is exactly where I took the photo.

gaytime_frocks.jpg

Tags:

3 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Nancy Moro // Apr 4, 2005 at 10:50 am

    Well …from the look of that sign, I’d say GayTime is happy hour at an old bar :p
    Looonnnnngggg before Gay meant what it really means today.

    ~N~

  • 2 Richard // Apr 4, 2005 at 12:15 pm

    You should Google “gaytime” as one word. One result: Golden Gaytime is an Australian ice cream bar manufactured by Streets.

  • 3 tina b // Apr 4, 2005 at 6:26 pm

    what’s with the sizes??

Leave a Comment