The 85-year-old neon sign atop George’s Coney Island in Worcester will soon glow with renewed vigor.
The well-known hot dog restaurant has embarked on what it says will be a months-long process to replace neon tubing in its signature rooftop display, in a move ownership hopes will serve as a visual reminder the longtime Worcester institution isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
“This restoration tells people that we’re here to stay,” Kathryn Tsandikos, president of George’s Coney Island, said in a Friday press release announcing the renovation. “It’s been a difficult time for so many family-owned restaurants, and we’re overjoyed to be able to make this investment in our historic sign with the help of the City of Worcester. We’re grateful to the people of Worcester for supporting us now for 107 years.”
The renovations will be undertaken by Dave Waller of Neon Williams in Somerville, a firm which has helped restore Boston’s CITGO sign near Fenway Park, as well as the facade of the Paramount Theatre in Boston. Neon Williams will be assisted by North Grafton’s Sunshine Sign and Worcester’s Benoit Design Group.
While ownership considered using cheaper and more modern LED lighting, keeping the sign’s original neon glow was too important to compromise on, said Solon Kelleher, Tsandikos’ son and the chief operating officer at the restaurant.
“There was a recent article in the New York Times about the famous NBC Studios and Rainbow Room sign as well as the Apollo Theater marquis switching over from neon to LEDs,” Kelleher said. “We want to keep that neon glow in Worcester, and we’re grateful to the city for their assistance and investment in our restaurant,”
The project is being boosted by funding from the Façade Program administered by the City of Worcester’s Executive Office of Economic Development, where businesses can receive $25,000-$75,000 for improvements. George’s Coney Island didn’t disclose how much it received.
“Coney Island is an iconic part of our city’s past, present, and future,” Worcester Mayor Joesph Petty said in the press release. “I am looking forward to seeing a newly restored sign, helping people find this fine establishment for years to come.”
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
