Signage is cool... although my personal preference tends to lean towards the old and neglected.
One of the things I love about the town we live in (Port Townsend, WA, USA) is the general age of the downtown buildings (mostly 1850s-1890s) which means advertising was painted as murals on entire building sides... now they are all flaky and faded, but still there... a testament to an age where things were made to endure.
Oh your downtown sounds beautiful. I love the older buildings as well. We have a few spots around here to check out too but unfortunately they all have modern signage now. The odd time I'll find something older.....especially if it's painted on a building and is still there or partially there. I love the flaky look though, don't you?