“For decades, the Bridgeport Restaurant sat at the corner of 35th Street and Halsted, its bold red sign hugging the building, serving as an unofficial welcome to the neighborhood. Since the owners retired in 2022, the restaurant sat empty, but the sign persisted.

“Fitted with chrome accents and adorned with marquee lights, it featured ‘Bridgeport’ in swooping cursive and ‘Restaurant’ in bold block lettering, once illuminated by neon. Its concave rectangles advertised fountain drinks, pancakes, malts, steaks, and chops.

“Once an iconic neighborhood landmark, the sign no longer looks over the corner spot it occupied for more than a half-century. The space that once housed the diner has made way for Stussy’s, a new restaurant that opened in August. The owners of Stussy’s elected to craft a 50s- and 60s-inspired retro diner aesthetic, yet in the process of doing so, removed an original piece of history from that time.

“Ward Miller, executive director of Preservation Chicago, tells the Reader, “There’s challenges, and sometimes these signs require a lot of work and a lot of maintenance. But it would be wonderful if somehow [the Bridgeport Restaurant] sign were preserved.

“Just a few doors down from Stussy’s, the historic Ramova Theatre, first opened in the late 1920s, underwent a colossal restoration to its original splendor.

“After sitting empty for more than 30 years, collecting dust and in desperate need of repair, the husband-and-wife team of Emily and Tyler Nevius took on the massive project to restore the Ramova—including its two vintage signs—to its former glory.

“The neon signs are now back in business, turning the chapter from a dormant era on the South Halsted corridor to one of blossoming revitalization. ‘There are so many neighbors who stop in and tell us how much it means to them to see the signs relit and to see Halsted lit up again,’ says Emily Nevius.

“In 2015, Preservation Chicago included neon signs on its most endangered list, an annual list that highlights seven buildings or architectural elements in Chicago at risk of being destroyed or removed. ‘Bending neon or making signs or putting together graphics for an institution or a business or a restaurant is really a work of art,’ says Miller. ‘It’s a great craft, and I think so many of us understand that now in this day and age.’

“Long after they’re no longer operational, businesses’ signs hold sentimental value for the neighborhood and community. In the heart of Logan Square, the iconic Grace’s Furniture sign has been a stalwart of the neighborhood for over 70 years, even though the property has been vacant for over 20 years. The sign, with its playful yellow swirl at the top that straightens into an arrow, stands more than 40 feet tall and looms over Milwaukee Avenue. Preservation efforts by the building’s new owner stalled because the previous owners let signage permits expire, which proved to be a complicated legal hurdle.

“The Grace’s Furniture debacle inspired a new city ordinance that was passed last year. It allows for the in situ preservation of vintage signs with “significant iconic or cultural value that contributes to the distinct visual identity and character of the neighborhood, community, or City as a whole.”

“Miller has his own personal collection of signs from buildings and businesses around Chicago, some of which predate 1900. One of the signs in Miller’s collection comes from an ice cream parlor he frequented as a child, called Ting-a-Ling, located at North Division and Dearborn. It’s now a Walgreens.

Given that so few signs have lasted, he says, “it makes those that have survived the test of time landmarks in our community, and even more important.” (MacClure, Chicago Reader, 9/18/24)

Read the full story at the Chicago Reader

• Chicago Reader: A sign of the times: Vintage signs hold community and artistic value. Amid changing neighborhoods, they’ve become increasingly endangered; Miles MacClure, Chicago Reader, 9/18/24
• Bridgeport Restaurant Closing Beloved Diner After More Than 7 Decades; The last day of service will be June 30. Irais Rodriguez said he and his family are deeply appreciative of all of their customers through the years, Francesca Mathewes, Block Club Chicago, 6/23/22