Manning's Coffee Sign Shines Again (Video & Photos)

Share your photos and video of Tuesday afternoon's relighting ceremony.

By David Fonseca
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January 11, 2012

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A day and night difference, as the Manning's Coffee store sign shines over Highland Park. The actual restoration of the historic sign was completed by Richard Ankrom. As for the the electrical work, Highland Park can thank Victor Mendoza, Victor Yack and David Rivera of Yack Electric.

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15-year-old Cassandra Yam commenced Tuesday's celebration with a stirring performance of the national anthem.

Credit David Fonseca

Amy Inouye, director of Future Studio on North Figueroa Street, was one of the organizing forces behind the relighting of the Manning's Sign, along with Nicole Possert of the Highland Park Heritage Trust. The pair helped secure $3,000 in grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Los Angeles County Preservation Fund, as well as matching funds from community members who sponsored each letter in the sign.

Credit David Fonseca

Nicole Possert, of the Highland Park Heritage Trust, played a key role in the lighting. Not only did Possert help organize the effort, she also conducted research along with Manning's historian Stuart Miller. According to Possert, Manning's was one of the first national coffee chains, with over 40 locations in nine states during the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Highland Park's Manning's sign was built in 1933 and placed above the current Las Cazuelas Restaurant in 1936. "Manning's closed in the late 1950s and remained in the dark for all those years," Possert said.

Credit David Fonseca

"I hope you all realize how special this sign is," said speaker Eric Lynxwiler, of the Museum of Neon Art. The sign comprises a now-rare combination of slumped opal glass and neon lights, Lynxwiler explained. "Not only is it a rarity that this particular sign exists, but technically speaking, nothing like it is around anymore."

Credit David Fonseca

The many sponsors that supported the Manning's Coffee Store sign relighting pose with their letters.

Credit David Fonseca

The Manning's Coffee Store Sign shines over North Figueroa Street. Along with with the Highland Theatre sign, it is now one of two landmarks along the Historic Route 66 Corridors' Historic Lighting District, of which North Figueroa Street is a part. Though not apparent in this photo, the letters in 'Coffee Store' shine less brightly than those in Manning's, as they are beneath slumped opal glass. Possert said that, through some help from local expects like Preservation Historian Frank Purello, organizers were able to track down the original opal glass that was used in the old Manning's sign. "We really brought this sign back to life," Possert said.

Credit David Fonseca

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Scott Piotrowski, author of "Finding the End of the Mother Road: Route 66 in Los Angeles County," pulls the switch for the Manning's Coffee Store sign with son Sam and Councilman Ed Reyes (CD1). "I'm ecstatic to see that Amy and Nicole and everyone else in this community has so much enthusiasm for this historic stretch of highway."

Credit David Fonseca http://o4.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/734f3736939aef8c28d8376e4c810493

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Follow our photo gallery for a recap of Tuesday's relighting of the Manning's Coffee Store Sign.

For our previous stories on relighting efforts along North Figueroa Street, click here and here.

Related Topics: History, neon, and preservation

Did you attend Tuesday's relighting ceremony? Share your photos! Tell us in the comments.

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Peter Bedard

7:53 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

This is so awesome! Yet another wonderful moment in HP history. Glad I made it in time to sponsor that "T"! Woot! Thanks, Amy!

Shelly Schraff

9:18 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

This is a very cool thing. There are a lot of gems on Figueroa in HP. Way to go people.

robert spira

9:53 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

An amazing job by everyone involved - and a reminder of the treasures within the Highland Park community..

Tina Gulotta-Miller

10:30 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Love all the pro-activity for the re-lighting! Now we have to start pushing for the Security Pacific building to be reopen and become a revitalized facility for the community at large. Glad the sign will be lit again!

Carl Showalter

11:50 am on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Awesome! The Las Cazuelas' sign looks pretty good too.

Victor Mendoza

1:35 pm on Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Vick Electric would like to thank everyone for their support . Could have not done it without you wonderful people let the light shine down route 66 once again . In need of electrical work call us (323) 718-7551 God Bless

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