Did You See the Sign
By: Leah Kirstein
Updated: August 10, 2012
DUBOIS,
Shankel's owner, Tom Bowser, applied for a grant through the Downtown DuBois Revitalization group to replace the sign. The only catch, everyone wanted the new sign to replicate the old so; they called in local neon expert, Dave Simmons of neon exposure.
Simmons has been creating neon signs for 33 years and currently has an office in Sykesville.
"I am thankful the city let Tom remake this sign. It is a landmark" said Simmons.
The sign took Simmons about 6 months to create. He paints the sign by hand, bends the neon and shapes the glass.
"It's a labor of love" he said.
Now, the sign has been given new life and will shine brightly for the next 60 years. The old sign will be hung in a neon museum.




