Like an old friend returning from a long journey, the Grand Café’s 90-year-old neon sign has finally come home. After a meticulous restoration by vintage neon experts, the landmark is once again hanging over the 700 block of Susanville’s Main Street.
A Piece of Living History
Originally installed during the week of March 11th, 1935, the sign is more than just a piece of metal and gas – it’s a survivor. It joins the Sierra Theatre and the Pioneer as one of the last few remnants of an era when uptown was a forest of vibrant neon, marking everything from drug stores and hotels to jewelry shops.
Today, only three of these historic signs remain in uptown, making this restoration a significant win for local preservation.
The Restoration Process
The heavy lifting was handled by Color of Neon in Reno. Given that Reno is a city defined by its neon heritage, and the shop has 30-year history as northern Nevada’s premiere experts, the sign was clearly in good hands.
It underwent a complete overhaul, including fresh paint to match its original luster, all-new neon tubing for that classic hum and glow and modern electronics to ensure it remains a fixture for decades to come.
Looking Ahead
While the sign is back in its rightful place, the transformation of the building itself is still underway. Lance Monath and his crew at Monath Construction have been working from the basement to the roof, turning the historic space into a modern showpiece while respecting its roots.
According to Grand Café owner Judith Lowry, the final wiring for the neon sign is still being completed. Once the power is live, she plans to host a formal lighting ceremony – potentially as part of an upcoming Uptown event – to officially welcome the glow back to Main Street.
