EVERETT — The romance on Rucker Avenue between two flamboyant seniors faces a breakup or a long-distance relationship.
One is moving a mile away.
This might not seem like a big deal, but this pair of readerboard signs gets a lot of eyes.
Totem Family Diner, 4410 Rucker, is the home of one sign. The other is at Pacific Stone Company, 3826 Rucker, which is relocating near the waterfront.
The move is due to the Everett Housing Authority’s purchase of the property to build a 140-unit senior housing complex, a plan that has been in the works for several years.
Both old-school signs have stood above Rucker Avenue for decades, turning heads with their hand-lettered marquees and vintage motifs. The stone sign has a supersized shovel and rake. The diner sign is totem-like.
The sparks between the two started flying last spring.
Totem owner Steve Jermyn, whose diner is known for catchy sayings, initiated the flirting in March 2023 with what he figured would be just another chuckle.
It read: “I have a secret crush on the rake and shovel sign down the street.”
Pacific Stone owner Tim Gray was flattered: “Hey, Totem! Our rocks are blushing & we’ve scrambled our eggs. Coffee date?”
Other bacon shakin’ coquetry continued. It was a hit on social media and with Rucker motorists.
Across from the Totem, Camp Fire Snohomish County Director Krissy Davis encouraged the courtship with her sign. “Totem take Pacific on a date 2 R auction.”
Davis gave Gray and Jermyn tickets to the agency’s annual gala last year.
After a few more flirty banters, the slow burn readerboard romance stayed out of the public eye, but the sign solidarity continued.
“When he knew I was shorthanded he put up a sign, ‘Hey, Totem is looking for cooks. Call Steve.’ Stuff like that,” Jermyn said.
Both businesses are promoting this year’s Camp Fire gala on their signs.
Jason Morrow, the Everett Housing Authority’s chief real estate officer, said a date to start construction of the complex has not been determined. He said the Rucker Avenue location is ideal for senior housing because of the proximity to buses, medical offices and shopping.
Pacific Stone plans to open in June at 2815 Nassau St., near West Marine View Drive and California Street. Sorry, there won’t be a moving sale.
“Shovel and rake,” as Gray calls the sign, was in place 25 years ago when he leased the one-acre site to start Pacific Stone on what was formerly another longtime garden supply store. He changed the neon to his store’s name.
News of the move has customers curious about the sign.
“People want to know, ‘What are you doing with shovel and rake?’” Gray said. “We have the opportunity to take our buddies with us, but we don’t necessarily have the funding to do so. It’s not inexpensive to move a 30-foot neon sign. And no one’s getting rich selling rocks.”
He said bids so far range from $20,000 for a basic move to $50,000, which includes needed refurbishing.
“I would love it if someone in the community would set up a GoFundMe,” he said.
Both Gray and Jermyn said they hope the sign romance will go on after the move, but the heart might grow less fonder with the distance. The signs might have to find inanimate objects of affection closer by to crush on.
Meantime, keep your eyes peeled for at least some parting romance on Rucker.
“I’ve got some ideas that are brewing,” Jermyn said.
Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.
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