‘Well, that was fast’: Neon sign in Carytown now welcomes you to ‘RYTOWN’
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A neon art-deco sign on Cary Street in Richmond has seen brighter days. What's supposed to greet you as you enter "CARYTOWN" now welcomes you to "RYTOWN," as the "C" and "A" letters have stopped working. The sign was installed a month ago in hopes of bringing more customers to the area full of local businesses after COVID. It was a years-long project before its official lighting in October. But, just one month in, the 18 feet tall sign isn't illuminating the full word. "Well, that was fast," said Richmond Olive Oil Co. owner Robert Granados. Carytown's art-deco sign with the "C" and "A" no longer illuminated, making it "RYTOWN." (Photo: Baker Gooss) Granados opened his olive oil store just three months ago, a few yards from where the sign hangs. He saw the full installment process. "Every time I close the door at night and go to my car, I get to see this lovely sign," he said. "I really do like it." Cary Street is home to hundreds of local businesses, and Granados knows the value of having a storefront here. "I took my walks here every week trying to find a space that was open," he said, speaking on how desired this Richmnond strip is. Veteran’s Voices: Female veterans forged a lasting friendship The Carytown Merchants Association spearheaded the sign installment. It cost around $100,000, paid for by the American Rescue Plan, a fund to help businesses after COVID-19. The City Liaison Chair for the association, Kelley Banks, told 8News that the missing letters could be caused by one of two things: a wiring glitch or vandalism. They're looking into both scenarios. On Thursday night, the sign was completely off. It's unclear if it had to do with the missing letters. The Carytown Merchants Association said they made spare letters when creating the sign for a situation like this and that it'll be fixed as soon as possible.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A neon art-deco sign on Cary Street in Richmond has seen brighter days. What's supposed to greet you as you enter "CARYTOWN" now welcomes you to "RYTOWN," as the "C" and "A" letters have stopped working.
The sign was installed a month ago in hopes of bringing more customers to the area full of local businesses after COVID. It was a years-long project before its official lighting in October.
But, just one month in, the 18 feet tall sign isn't illuminating the full word.
"Well, that was fast," said Richmond Olive Oil Co. owner Robert Granados.
Carytown's art-deco sign with the "C" and "A" no longer illuminated, making it "RYTOWN." (Photo: Baker Gooss)
Granados opened his olive oil store just three months ago, a few yards from where the sign hangs. He saw the full installment process.
"Every time I close the door at night and go to my car, I get to see this lovely sign," he said. "I really do like it."
Cary Street is home to hundreds of local businesses, and Granados knows the value of having a storefront here.
"I took my walks here every week trying to find a space that was open," he said, speaking on how desired this Richmnond strip is.
Veteran’s Voices: Female veterans forged a lasting friendship
The Carytown Merchants Association spearheaded the sign installment. It cost around $100,000, paid for by the American Rescue Plan, a fund to help businesses after COVID-19.
The City Liaison Chair for the association, Kelley Banks, told 8News that the missing letters could be caused by one of two things: a wiring glitch or vandalism. They're looking into both scenarios.
On Thursday night, the sign was completely off. It's unclear if it had to do with the missing letters.
The Carytown Merchants Association said they made spare letters when creating the sign for a situation like this and that it'll be fixed as soon as possible.
