SHAMOKIN - Moments after long-time Coney Island Lunch employee Sharon Wichuroski flicked the switch to test the newly refurbished sign that hangs outside, a motorist pulled over and walked to the front door.
The hopeful patron was disappointed by a "closed" notice taped to the door.
"O no! I love this place," the motorist said.
But fear not, the smell of simmering onions will again hover over the city starting 11 a.m. Friday.
The establishment that opened in 1918 has been closed since Oct. 13 because of a death in the family.
Confusing some "Coney" lovers was the temporary removal of the red, blue and white neon sign that was lowered only once in 93 years.
The sign was taken from its perch over the establishment's door so damage caused by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee this summer could be repaired.
To the relief of many, the glowing city icon was recently returned to its original location after it was fully-restored by Bartush Signs, Orwigsburg.
The culmination of the closure of the Coney and the disappearance of the sign was enough to concern "up" and "down" lovers everywhere.
"I got 50 calls at my house yesterday," Wichuroski said Wednesday as she and 50-year employee Lucille "Lucy" Mummaw readied the restaurant for Friday's reopening. "I don't know how they got my number, but I had people asking me constantly if we were open. I had phone calls from Pittsburgh to New York."
According to Wichuroski, around 100 people a day have stopped to see if the Coney was open. The four-week long closure is the longest in its history, she added.
Tradition
Along with the return of the iconic sign, the annual Christmas tree will be displayed starting Nov. 22.
Wichuroski said all but one of the decorations were destroyed when 3 1/2 feet of water entered the basement during heavy rainfall from Lee. The signature angel, which was placed on a shelf during storage, was the only decoration to survive. Trees in previous years have been 17 feet tall and contained 10,000 lights and colorful holiday balls.
Wichuroski said the tree's decorations, like the freshened sign, will be better than ever.