Lord knows Glorieta Station’s burgeoning neon sign collection in Albuquerque has been cussed and discussed on social media for months. But its latest acquisition probably was the best outcome for a restaurant that was moving to Route 66.
Monroe’s Mexican Food on Christmas Eve moved from its longtime location at 1520 Lomas Blvd. to a new build-out site on 1025 Fourth St., an early alignment of Route 66 in Albuquerque, after the restaurant’s landlord raised its rates.
Monroe’s also faced a Dec. 27 deadline from the landlord to remove the sign.
We’ll let the New Mexico Route 66 Association explain the rest:
Complicating matters all along was the City of Albuquerque prohibiting Monroe’s from mounting their vintage sign on a pole on the small corner lot, as well as the building being unable to support the weight of it – more than 1000 pounds – on a wall or rooftop. It was owner Miguel Diaz’ wish that the sign then go Glorieta Station where it can be displayed permanently in their sign museum. Carlos Garcia confirmed that the sign is now in their possession.
New Mexico Route 66 Association President Melissa Lea Beasley and writer Nick Gerlich met with Mr. Diaz in early November to discuss the outcome of the sign. A report of that conversation will appear in the Spring 2020 issue of the New Mexico Route 66 Magazine.
Meanwhile, Monroe’s fans can visit the new location, and see a large (and much lighter) replica of the original sign hanging in the main dining room. (Sorry, no photo of new location at this time) We wish Monroe’s and the Diaz family much success in their new location as they join the Route 66 family along the pre-1937 Route 66 alignment at 4th Street and Mountain Road.
The association didn’t post a photo of the sign reproduction, but Monroe’s did on Facebook a few days ago. (Note: Monroe’s also has a second location near Interstate 25 on the north side of town.)
It’s a shame the city couldn’t have granted a variance for the sign at the new site or the architect was unable to account for it. In both cases, there probably wasn’t enough time. With the former, municipalities often take months to deal with variances for both bureaucratic and practical reasons.
A few people essentially have painted Glorieta Station as evil incarnate, which is histrionic and laughable. Perhaps the folks behind Glorieta Station could have approached the acquisition of a few signs differently. But, in general, the preservation of long-neglected signs should be commended — especially in light of the apparent uphill battle to get Route 66 communities to adopt a sign landmark ordinance to help protect them.
In this case, Glorieta Station’s acquisition of the Monroe’s sign unquestionably is a good thing, considering the alternatives. It also shows that preservation can be a complicated and multifaceted issue.
(Images of the original Monroe’s Mexican Food sign and its reproduction via Facebook)
We all must be unified, or the majority won’t have a proper home.
I thought Albuquerque had learned a great lesson for the El Vado mess a few years ago????
I’ve long ago dismissed the idea of ever having unity in the Route 66 community. Viewpoints of Route 66 fans are as diverse as the country itself, and I’m OK with that.
Perhaps the Garcia family will make it right and when Monroes has the time and works it out with the new property, give it back to the restaurant at its new location. It would be excellent PR for the Garcias, something they could really use.
Not worried about the PR, but hopefully the city of albuquerque will wake up and see that not letting a business owner move a landmark sign to a new location is just stupid. Would be great to give the sign back to the Diaz family if the ordinance changes.
This is a long shot for Carlos to see this; however, is it possible to view the neon signs in the collection?