KCRag Forum

The Katz Drug Store sign, a one-time iconic streetscape fixture in Kansas City and beyond with its happy cat sporting a bow tie, has a new life thanks to LUMI, a museum dedicated to neon signs.

A 10-foot tall replica of the Katz sign has been fashioned by Fossil Forge, a Lee’s Summit firm specializing in restoring and fabricating signs, and ultimately will be part of a neon museum slated for the planned Pennway Point downtown entertainment district.
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The sign built by Fossil is 10-feet tall and eight-feet wide, and will rotate 360 degrees atop a 10-foot pole.

Its fabricated with aluminum and weighs about 300 pounds, considerably lighter than the original Katz signs made of steel.
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The Pennway Point plan calls for an 80-foot “neon alley” where the LUMI sign collection will be displayed on the sides of two buildings. Signs also will be installed throughout the development and Vedros hopes the tall Katz sign will be at its center.
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moderne wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:28 pm The KC Star article Sunday is making me anxious to see the Neon Alley. It will be like a light therapy session. Aside from restored vintage signs what is there to see of neon in KC? I have seen neon used in modern architecture and design in other cities, are there any examples in the KC metro?

No exact dates have been announced, but Bryant laid out a tentative timeline.

In 2023, aiming to open before the end of the year: The KC Wheel at Pennway (Ferris is trademarked) perhaps before Thanksgiving; a snacks and beverage area; Pennway Putt mini-golf course.

The first 40 or so signs of the Lumi Neon Museum could be lit as early as spring. Bryant said that over the next 12 months the “recreation/ hospitality” area will be built in several phases.

TaleGate Park is planned as a 30,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor venue created in and around the former Funkouser Machinery Co. depot building. It is to house an upscale burger and steak restaurant, Beef & Bottle. Upstairs will be Funk House, a sports lounge that includes five “sky boxes” with views of TaleGate’s indoor stage and TaleGate Garden, with outdoor games.

Barrel Hall is to be located just to the south, inside the 6,000-square-foot former Pennway Oil Co. building with its wood-barreled roof. Inside will be a Boulevard Brewery Taproom, Chef J. BBQ, The Bull Creek Distillery, and Würstl (a Viennese sausage stand).

A taqueria is planned near the Ferris wheel, next to an outdoor beach volleyball area.

In 2025, Bryant said, the former four-story Carter-Waters Co., building at 2440 W. Pennway will house retail and office space. A newly built boutique hotel at 25th Street and Pennway is envisioned for late 2025 or early 2026.

moderne wrote: ↑Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:28 pm The KC Star article Sunday is making me anxious to see the Neon Alley. It will be like a light therapy session. Aside from restored vintage signs what is there to see of neon in KC? I have seen neon used in modern architecture and design in other cities, are there any examples in the KC metro?

Yesterday we rescued the Sam Miller Coach sign located at 5408 Troost Avenue, Kansas City MO. This deco beauty had been on display for many year and then went dark. We plan to eventually restore this sign after we get funding.
This sign was put on permanent loan from UMKC. We are thrilled they are preserving the past for the future at Pennway Point. Our walking alley is not open yet, but stay tuned for progress later in the year. Visit our website and sign up to be notified of our mission to save the KC neon. Thank you!

FangKC wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2024 1:23 pm Lumi is now in possession of the Italian Gardens sign that used to be near 11th and Baltimore.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=107 ... 6370955964

KCPowercat wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2024 3:14 pm

FangKC wrote: ↑Fri May 10, 2024 1:23 pm Lumi is now in possession of the Italian Gardens sign that used to be near 11th and Baltimore.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=107 ... 6370955964

I only ate there once and it was towards the end of it's life and boy oh boy it was gross.