A strong business grows from great roots. At Signs by Jukes we're very proud of our heritage. Our sign company was founded in 1940 by Rueben Jukes, in his garage, at 82 Onward Avenue in Kitchener. Rube was a colourful character with experience as a strongman and stage set artist in Vaudeville as well as a soldier in the trenches of WWI. Rube was well known in the K-W community as a man of fun, talent and integrity. It's rumored that Rube was seen, on more than one occasion, handlettering billboard signs while standing on his head. What greater beginning could a sign company ask for?
As the years passed the business outgrew Rube's garage. Construction of a new sign shop was completed in 1958 and the company moved to 111 Whitney Place, Kitchener, which is still our home today. Sadly, Rube only had one year to enjoy his new studio. He died in 1959.
Don Jukes, Rube's son, took over where his father left off, expanding the business further and again outgrowing their workspace. An addition was constructed allowing for a larger variety of work. Don continued as president into the 1980's, bringing the company into the new era of computer aided design. This technology has increased efficiency and production but has almost completely replaced the traditional hand lettering technique that made an industry out of an artform. In 1988 our current president, Lee Jukes, bought the company from his father and added a second edition to accomodate a larger scale of work. The progression of the three generations is reflected by our building. Each president has expanded it, allowing us greater tools to offer our customers.
The sign industry has changed drastically since our beginning in a small garage studio. Hand painted letters have been replaced by cut vinyl and printed images. Cranes and bucket trucks have made installation quicker, easier and much safer than the days of ladders and pulleys. Although many things have changed we strive to maintain the same values the company was founded on. Honesty, quality and fairness are traits we believe customers will see in our work and service.
