Noke Novelties are interesting aspects, picturesque moments, and other quaint nuances of or about the Roanoke area.

The Unmistakable Tanglewood Mall Sign Along Electric Road

Ever since I can remember the local landmark of the Tanglewood Mall sign has stood in the parking lot of southwest Roanoke County’s premier shopping location. And I think that aside from some relatively minor cosmetic updates to do with the logo, the overall structure has changed very little over the years.

I first remember seeing it as a child, the sign was definitely overwhelming in it’s stately shape and, well, just really cool to watch. The continuously changing messages on display, though paltry by today’s technology, seemed futuristic some 15 years ago.

I best associate the sign with the Brendle’s store that used to be located in the southern corner of the mall. My family would often go there to shop and I remember the diamond that acted as the apostrophe in the store name.

I suppose that, arguably, Valley View is Roanoke’s biggest and most populated mall, but I’ve always been a little bit more partial to Tanglewood. And I think the nostalgia of this sign influences my thoughts.