Exactly one year to the day from when I shot this photo, I happened upon Lester's Diner in Bryan, OH on my return trip from Chicago. I was absolutely gobsmacked to find the sign in this condition. All neon removed, every lightbulb from the pouring coffee, even the plastic parts... gone.
The diner was still going, so I'm deeply hoping that they're refurbishing it and not junking it all. I must be a total sign geek, as seeing this left me breathless and kinda shook up. I found myself parked on the corner just staring at the carcass that was once a great sign.
UPDATE: I called Lester's, and indeed they -are- refurbishing the sign. Whew! :-)
apricotX is back!, dr.Ozda, e.c., and 4 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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samwibatt 59 months ago | reply
Yikes!!! I hope they are refurbishing it.
Dennis Dixson 59 months ago | reply
Curious... What I hate is when they strip the original sign and paint over the carcass with the name of some business that you know is doomed to fail in less than six months. Something like, "Kathy's House of Only One Color of Colored Imitation Jade Beads."
The sort of business that only opens on alternate Tuesdays of even numbered months.
Happyshooter 59 months ago | reply
Oh, man, it breaks my heart... I'm usually in total disbelief too when something like this happens. Then, it angers me to no end!! I'd like to join the group of mourners who can't believe what people do to beautiful neon signs. I mean once they are gone, they are gone, never to be seen again. Gary, this was a very beautiful sign. I went through the same funk Dave did when I discovered pretty much all the signs in West Sacramento got taken down in one swoop. I mean there is nothing historically interesting left in town on the main blvd.. Then, they had the audacity to hold a public historical meeting a week after they'd taken everything out of there. I didn't even bother attending. Why bother. I would love to shake hands with the city planner there and stare right into the eyes of an idiot. Dave mentioned to me that there is no reason to drive over to West Sacramento at all now. I agree! Sorry, for the loss, Gary. I totally sympathize with you, buddy.
dr.Ozda 59 months ago | reply
Wow Gary, that is such an amazing contrast. You are definitely not a 'total sign geek' for getting upset over this.
When I opened this I almost faved it as a nice old neon ghost sign, but then reading and following your link, I cant do that. Sad.
Well, decided to fave both for the side by side comparison.
Dusty_73 59 months ago | reply
I just mentioned in another post that these things signs are American classics and should be regarded as such. Every time a sign like this is lost, it's like taking a cherry 57 Belair and tossing it into the car crusher. I HOPE it will be refurbished. If not, that's a real bummer.
samwibatt 59 months ago | reply
Then there's the cool flip side where a new business keeps a groovy old sign, like this one I saw today or this celebrated example in Salt Lake City's Sugarhouse neighborhood (which I now see you've also photographed, argh).
Waffle Whiffer 59 months ago | reply
What a shame!
Helene Smith 59 months ago | reply
i just love the cup and how it pours the coffee, and the coffee double-duties as an arrow. a wonderfully lighted arrow!
(i'm guessing you know that there's actually a group for "arrow signs", too.)
J/G 59 months ago | reply
Horrible.I feel so violated.This was in early may here:
flickr.com/photos/johnnygracie/2482213615/in/set-72157604...
loungelistener 59 months ago | reply
HURRAH! I couldn't stand it, so I called Lester's. They ARE refurbishing the sign, and told me it should be back to normal in about a week or so.
Thank goodness they know how cool their signage is, and how nice to have a happy ending. :-D Hmm, guess I'll need to swing by Bryan again in a couple weeks to see how it looks.
Roadsidepictures 59 months ago | reply
I know the feeling all too well. Sometimes I get a lump in my throat when a sign or building disappears. It's great to hear they're going to restore this gem!
samwibatt 59 months ago | reply
Happyshooter 59 months ago | reply
I'm glad I didn't leave any bad comments about this place. Yeah, thanks for calling. I'm sure you will go back there when it makes a comeback and keep up posted with a new pic.
krstl_blu 59 months ago | reply
It's rare when the owners of a sign or buiilding actually appreciate what they have and try to keep it up. That is possibly going to be a beautiful sign once they finish it. Please keep us posted with a new picture.
J/G 59 months ago | reply
Awesome ! For that I forgive the awnings!
loungelistener 59 months ago | reply
I can never forgive the awnings. ;-)
However, next time I'm through I'm gonna give them some business just for having the smarts to hang on to their sign. Wanna go? ;-)
Dave van Hulsteyn 59 months ago | reply
Ha! I called them too! That's too funny. No wonder I got what seemed like a 'WTF' response.
The only good thing about awnings (except for the old aluminum kind, which I kind of like) is that they can always be removed.
J/G 59 months ago | reply
I was thinking the same thing!A big bunch of flickr sign afficianados drop in to say cool! They'd have to love it!
~ Liberty Images 59 months ago | reply
I'd have been gobsmacked, too...wow. Unbelievable that they thought it needed restoration, it looked so nice last year! I bet it'll be fantastic. :)
cannalilylady 57 months ago | reply
My reaction was: OMG!!! NO!!! SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!!! Then I read that you had called them. I hope you can get a shot of the refurbed sign for us someday. :-)