Historic neon signs that hung above the entrance of the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, for decades were reinstalled Monday after their restoration, days before a relighting ceremony this Saturday.
Jim Thole passed along some details about the reinstallation by a St. Louis sign company:
The “Ariston Cafe” sign had been repainted sometime during its life to a simple powder blue background over its entire face, whereas historical photos from the early days of the cafe show that it originally had an outline of large dots around the border — and in the restoration, that original, artwork appearance has been put back.
The Budweiser sign is a treasured piece, as it seems to be the only one of this design still left in existence — and with its porcelain finish still intact, it polished out beautifully to its original red color.
In addition, the neon window accents that were originally in the front window of the cafe (but removed back in the 1970s) were also restored to add an attractive finishing touch to the entire restoration.
This restoration project was enabled by a cost matching grant from the NPS Route 66 Corridor Preservation Program in its 2018 cycle. The Neon Heritage Preservation Committee of the Route 66 Association of Missouri were the leaders who facilitated the project — this being its 13th neon restoration project in the last 11 years.
Nick & Demi Adam were proud owners of the Ariston Cafe for 52 years, from 1966 to 2018 – and his father Pete Adam, for 42 years before that. The new stewards of this iconic restaurant on the Mother Road are Will & Michele Law and Marty & Kara Steffens, who are excited to carry on the tradition of the Ariston, “where good food is served.”
Here’s a photo of the restaurant’s former longtime owners, Nick and Demi, in front of one of the restored neon signs.
The same day Thole sent out a news release, the city of Litchfield sent out one about the upcoming relighting ceremony:
The Ariston Café, at 413 N. Old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, will host a one-of-a-kind party May 4, as it invites the public to join in the official relighting ceremony of vintage neon signs and neon window accents on the exterior of the café. Cruise in with your classic car and join others that will be available for viewing starting at 7 p.m. While waiting for the perfect time to flip the switch, groove to the tune of music from the 1950s and 1960s and mingle with other Route 66 fans.
The official program will begin as dusk nears, and the official relighting will take place between 8 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Feel free to make a night of it, come early and grab a bite to eat at the Ariston Café, then walk across the street to the Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center, which will be open for extended hours on this special night, then head back over to the Ariston in time for the festivities. Plan your schedule so so you don’t miss this landmark event. Everyone will be welcomed with Route 66 hospitality.
(Images of reinstalled neon signs at the Ariston Cafe in Litchfield, Illinois, courtesy of Jim Thole)
Thank for this good news.
Nice.