SHAMOKIN - If it feels like something is missing on Independence Street, you're right.
For the first time since Coney Island Lunch opened in 1918, the iconic neon sign that hangs outside is gone, and the flood is to blame for this milestone, too.
"The sign was broken during the storm," said worker Sharon Wichuroski. "It had to be taken down in order to be restored."
The damage occured during the double shot of severe weather from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in late August and early September.
Coney Island workers believe high winds shoved the sign back and forth, causing the neon tubes to crack. Hail may have also played a role in the damage, Wichuroski said. The sign's transformer also blew after the deluge of rain the week of Sept. 5.
Coney Island owner Helen Gorant contacted Bartush Signs, Orwigsburg, and hoped the sign could be fixed without removing it from its perch over the restaurant's door. After an initial assessment, however, it was determined the sign would have to removed.
"They said there was just too much damage to do the work up there," Wichuroski said.
It took an hour to convince Gorant to allow the sign to be removed.
"Her parents started the business and she has always been a stickler for keeping everything the same since the place opened 93 years ago," she said. "This is the first time the sign has been taken down."
It took about three hours to unhook and lower the sign to get it ready for transportation. Repair is expected to take four weeks and cost between $7,000 and $8,000.
That's not all
The sign wasn't the only damage Coney Island suffered during the severe weather.
"We had about 3 1/2 feet of water in the basement. All the supplies that we kept down there are gone," Wichuroski said.
The good news is, however, Coney Island - sign or no sign - isn't closing.
"We have people looking in the window to make sure we are still frying onions. I get about 100 calls a day, and people contact us on Facebook to see if we are still open," Wichurowski said. "I didn't realize that not seeing our sign would be such a shock to some people.
"Nothing has changed and it won't change," she continued. "We've been here for three generations and will stay here for a long time to come."