These giant statues were originally built by General Sign Co. based in Cape Girardeau Missouri around 1940-2010.

They were designed for the Big John grocery store chain which was located in Carmi, IL.

Big Johns are hulk like giants, holding car-sized bags filled with groceries in their big hands.
They stood in the parking lots of their Big John stores.

Big John is no Muffler Man but part of the family of American Giants

Big Johns are 28 to 30 feet tall, the statues made out of fiberglass.

They wear usually checkered shirts, blue jeans, an apron and big black shoes. His brawny arms can hold four complete full packed bags of groceries. Some Big Johns have white skin others have dark skin.

The figures and grocery bags could be customized for different store.

Today there are not many of the giants left. Due to their rarity, Big Johns are sought after by collectors.

I personally have visited 6 Big John Locations.

1. Gainesville, TX – Glenn Godes Big People – he has 2 Big John without the bags.
2. Carmi, IL – The Big John is standing in front of a deli called “Little Giant”.
3. Eldorado, IL – in front of the eponymous grocery store chain
4. Metropolis, IL – in front of the eponymous grocery store chain
5. Walls, MS – State Line Big John – in front of a fireworks store at the state line TN/MS
6. Unger, WV – at the Farnham Colossi

Big John
Big John is made out of Fiberglass
He is made from a mold
He his hollow inside
He is 28-30 foot tall from shoe to head
He has a big grin and a big head
He has short, dark (brown) hair, clean shaved
His skin Color is white or dark
His arms are outspread (most filled with grocery bags)
He wears a colored short-sleeved shirt, (blue) Jeans and big, blocky shoes.