Wilmette Business Restores Mid-Century Neon Sign

Since ’ sign debuted in the 1950s, it has stood as a beacon of commerce in downtown Wilmette. In April, the vintage neon sign was restored to its former glory. 

“It is now one of the very few mid century neon signs left on the North Shore,” Wilmette historian Bill Wallace said. "Over the years, downtown businesses have come and gone, but the sign has remained glowing night after night.” 

Wallace says similar neon signs have disappeared because either the businesses moved, closed or the location required different sized signs or sign types. 

Restore Rather than Replace

Jeff Fishman, owner of Gold Medal Cleaners, spent several thousand dollars to have the sign restored. 

“I like [the sign]. It definitely stands out. So it was better to fix it than to replace it,” Fishman said.  

Fishman says the sign dates to 1958, when neon signs were state of the art sign technology, and when Gold Medal Cleaners moved to its present location at 1123 Central Ave. Fishman’s grandfather started the business in 1927. 

Some of the neon in the sign was damaged several years ago by a freak hailstorm that sent hailstones into Gold Medal Cleaners’ storefront from the north, Fishman said. 

Keeping the Original Neon in the Sign

During the restoration, Libertyville-based North Shore Sign, repainted the sign’s letters, hand-washed the delicate neon and replaced some of the neon’s electric receptacles. None of the neon in the sign was replaced, but some of its original wiring was updated, according to Duane Laska, owner of North Shore Sign. 

The sign's transformers could have been upgraded with newer models that are up to 60 percent more efficient. But since newer models would have required substantial investment, Fishman decided to keep the older transformers. 

The sign is made primarily of porcelain, which is better at withstanding blistering sun, acid rain and subzero winter temperatures, Laska said. Had Gold Medal Cleaners’ sign merely been painted metal, it would likely have rusted away years ago, or required significantly more maintenance over the years, Laska said.   

“I am glad someone took the time to restore [the sign]," said Wallace, a Wilmette historian.

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