American Sign Museum
2515 Essex Place
Cincinnati, Ohio 45206
(800) 925-1110
(513) 258-4020, ext. 336
Fax: (513) 421-5144
E-mail: tod@signmuseum.org
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Historic Mr. Peanut Neon Sign to Return to Downtown Columbus
COLUMBUS, OHIO — The Peanut Shoppe, 46 North High Street, is
erecting a completely restored neon Mr. Peanut sign that has been
attracting customers to their store for approximately 60 years. The
event will occur at between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August
27.
The complete sign renovation was made possible by the combined
efforts of Citizen for a Better Skyline Inc., The Peanut Shoppe and
Columbus Sign Company. Citizens for a Better Skyline, who initiated
the project, is a Columbus non-profit organization committed to
preserving the city's architectural heritage and the encouragement of
pedestrian-friendly development.
"We noticed the sign had not been lighted in many years and in
need of repair," explains Chris Steele, president of Citizens for a
Better Skyline. "It is such a beautiful downtown landmark, that we
offered to spearhead an effort to repair it to ensure it stays part
of Columbus' downtown treasures. It fits our mission of working to
improve the pedestrian experience with an eye on saving history."
The polychrome sign, made of steel and illuminated with colorful
neon, is the only known existing historic Mr. Peanut sign still on
display above an operating peanut shop. The Mr. Peanut portion of the
sign measures four feet wide from his elbow to his cane and stands
eight feet tall atop a 32-inch-high rectangle that says Planters
Peanuts.
Patricia Stone, Owner and Manager of The Peanut Shoppe, said the
store opened in 1936 and the sign may have come with it. The shop has
had two downtown locations in its long history. First, the store was
located at 5 S. High Street, then in 1978, moved to its present
location at 46 North High Street. Pat says her customers have been
asking about the Mr. Peanut sign from the minute he was taken down in
May of 2004 and are looking forward to the day he returns to service.
Mike Hoy and Bill Hoy are third generation owners of Columbus Sign
Company. They turned the project over to a 40 year veteran of the
company, Jan Wisecarver, to do the magnificent job of painting and
restoration work that you will soon see gracing the Peanut Shop
building once again. The Hoy's have embraced this opportunity to help
preserve a bit of our downtown history. Columbus Sign Company,
established in 1911, is entering its 94th year in business in
Columbus. (visit http://www.columbussign.com)
The sign is scheduled for reinstallation this Saturday morning,
August 27th. The process will start about 8:30AM. Hopefully, Mr.
Peanut, will be looking up and down on High Street by noon!
A lighting ceremony is planned for September 8 at 5:30 p.m. More
details on the ceremony will be available at The Peanut Shoppe (614) 221-8837 or from Citizen for a Better Skyline, (614) 421-2201.
Citizens for a Better Skyline was established in 1983, and is best
known for funding three public mural projects in the Short North and
for fighting many historic building preservation battles. Recently,
Citizens for a Better Skyline helped support the Pocket Parks Project
in the Short North.
"The Mona Lisa mural on the Mona Lisa Condos in Italian Village is
one our most treasured projects," said Steele. The mural was
originally painted by Brian Clemons of Optic Nerve Art Corporation in
1990 "Someday we hope to see a trompe l'oeil painting on the back of
the beautiful Union Station arch in Arch Park in the Arena District."
Funding for these various projects was obtained through O.A.C. and
G.C.A.C. Grants and various fund raising events such as the Heritage
Ball.
For more information, contact Citizens for a Better Skyline at
(614) 421-2201.
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