'Live Poultry, Fresh Killed,' Sign Will Live On In Cambridge

CAMBRIDGE, MA — Fans of the 6-foot tall yellow chicken sign with the words, "Live Poultry, Fresh Killed," can rejoice, because the Cambridge landmark isn't going anywhere.

Earlier this month, the Mayflower Poultry Company sold its home base, relocating to 139 Newmarket Square in Boston as a wholesale-only spot. The poultry company decided the best move for the famous sign was to auction it off, leaving someone else with the memories as the storefront closes its doors at the end of the month.

The East Cambridge Business Association decided the sign and its trademark were too important to be hidden away, bidding $14,500 and $8,000 respectively, to keep the sign in Cambridge in the Thursday auction.

"Such a great symbol of Cambridge Street and the small-business community. We don't want to see it hidden away," the association said on Facebook.

The 621 Cambridge Street butcher shop gained popularity on its own over the years, but the massive 6-foot tall yellow chicken sign with blunt words explaining exactly what their company did probably helped business, and became a local landmark in the process.

Becoming a Cambridge must-see, owner Jim Gould decided to trademark the sign in 2005 and used it to sell "Live Poultry, Fresh Killed" merchandise.

Now, thanks to the East Cambridge Business Association, the sign will live on in physical form.