YESCO Hamilton Observes MLK Jr. Day of Service

YESCO Hamilton and Sunset Sign Company observed MLK Jr. Day of Service by conducting a food and clothing drive for two local shelters in Hamilton, ON, Canada.

"The act of offering service and kindness was received by our staff very well. Collectively over the past few days we were able to get a reasonable amount of items and take them to the shelters, said David Carley, general manager of YESCO Hamilton. Thanks so much for inviting YESCO Sign and Lighting franchisees to use the strength of our network to help make a difference."

In Honor of National Service Day

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King the United States held a National Day of Service on January 18, 2021. The International Franchise Association (IFA) and YESCO encouraged participation by offering an act of kindness or service to a customer, the community, or an employee.

"Often the small acts of service mean more than the grand ones.  Talk with your team and come up with a way to spread the brightness the YESCO family shares," was the instruction given by Josh Young, president YESCO Franchising.

YESCO Greenville (South Carolina) reached out to Haven of Rest to see if the ministry had any needs. The recovery program is a bible-based charity designed to rescue, restore, and release men and women facing life-dominating problems related to addictions and homelessness.

YESCO was asked to repair a non-functioning light on a flag pole at the mission's housing campus. Shane Hazel, a technician, was able to locate the underground power supply, install a LED flood light and illuminate the American flag.

"The employees are grateful to be able to give back to an organization that has and continues to help many individuals in the Upstate community." said Christina Ridgeway, president YESCO Greenville.

Mark Harmsen, General Manager, YESCO San Diego

YESCO, the nationally renowned sign service and lighting company with locations around the country, announces Mark Harmsen as its San Diego general manager for its new location at 4780 Mission Gorge Place, A-1. The San Diego store employs eight people specializing in the highest quality sign and lighting services, including a wide array of repairs and maintenance for custom signs, electronic displays, LED, neon and outdoor media.

Harmsen is a native of Salt Lake City and moved to San Diego in 2017. Previous to YESCO, he spent 15 years in the entertainment and media sectors. Harmsen holds a master’s degree in management from Columbia University. Other notable business achievements include founding the mobile ticketing technology company Text Me Tix Inc., and revamping KCSG Television to become profitable and ultimately acquired.

“We are pleased to offer YESCO’s industry-leading sign and repair services here in San Diego and I’m thrilled to be leading such a knowledgeable and talented team,” said Harmsen. “This new location enables us to serve the businesses in the area much more efficiently.”

Celebrating Heroes!

In observance of the National Day of Service on January 18, 2021, YESCO East Ohio (C & L Sign and Lighting) along with Graphic Detail, Inc. from Kent, Ohio treated the teachers and staff of Suffield Elementary to sub sandwiches and snacks on January 19. As a gesture of thanks, Craig and Lisa LeMasters, owners, acknowledged the countless selfless acts of kindness the school's team provides to the students. 

"While we are a small community, the impact that the schools show our students is nothing short of true compassion, and a magnitude of commitment.  Today’s elementary schools have more on their shoulders than ever to see that tomorrow’s students represent our future, said Craig."

Below is a copy of the letter sent to the school:

Dear Principal Bookman:

"As a local company in the community, we wanted to express our sincerest gratitude.  We are thankful and value that our schools ensure that our young students start off with the best opportunity of an education and the support needed while tackling the struggles of teaching in-class and remotely.  They tackle each day's challenge with a fresh beginning.  It not easy by any means to teach a classroom of young children, especially with the added obstacles of COVID, yet these fine individuals get up every day with bright smiles to push these children to overcome what they may encounter in their day-to-day lives.  We hope that our small gesture will brighten the day to all those teachers and staff that have made such a profound difference in so many lives.  As many of us are all going through our own personal hardships, losses, and daily hurdles, I hope that today that we as a community can give back to that special person that probably needs that kind word or gesture more than any of us will ever know.  No matter if it’s a thank you, or you did a great job, or just someone to listen to.

Thank you Suffield Elementary teachers and staff for being that light that shines on our children and in our community. "

Craig & Lisa LeMasters

YESCO Ohio East

Mrs. Bookman, Principal, Craig LeMasters, YESCO
YESCO and Vegas Sports Fans Welcomed Allegiant Stadium in 2020

Las Vegas sports fans welcomed the Raiders with open arms and so did YESCO.  We are proud to have been a part of their inaugural season and the opening of Allegiant Stadium.  The Raiders officially ended their first year in Las Vegas with an 8-8 record, going out on a high with a win. 

We wish the team the best in the off season and look forward to their home opener next fall.  Hopefully, COVID 19 will be a thing of the past and Allegiant Stadium packed with fans. 

Nine Historic Neon Signs for Reno’s Neon Line District
Neon Signs
Signage on Reno's Nine Line Fabricated and Installed by YESCO

YESCO Completes Restoration, Fabrication, Installation of Nine Historic Signs for Reno's Neon Line District

Click Here for Downloadable Photos

RENO, NEVADA (December 2020) YESCO, the 100-year-old Salt Lake City-headquartered company known for creating internationally recognizable signs, recently designed, fabricated, and installed nine historic neon signs in Reno’s Neon Line District. YESCO was retained by development company Jacobs Entertainment for the project to preserve and protect signage from Reno’s historic West Fourth Street corridor. YESCO’s installation marks the end of phase two of Reno’s Neon Line as planned by Jacobs Entertainment. The third and final phase will be completed mid-2021.

Reno’s Neon Line District is an urban, multi-year, mixed-use master-planning effort in downtown Reno, Nevada, encompassing 20 city blocks from West Street to Keystone Avenue, and from Interstate 80 to West Second Street consisting of apartments, condominiums, retail stores, restaurants, art, and neon lighting. The centerpiece of the district is the half-mile-long installation of historic neon tribute signage combined with an LED-lit knee wall and monumental art sculptures.

LIST OF SIGNS:

1) Ramos Drugs Co. – William Ramos opened his first location on Virginia Street in 1928 and operated like any common drugstore. However, Mr. Ramos also offered a soda fountain diner that occupied one side of the store.

2) Nevada U.S. 40 - The Nevada U.S. 40 sign was inspired by the location of the district. Reno’s Neon Line District is located on Fourth Street which, in the past, was the historic Nevada Highway 40.

3) Donner Inn – The Donner Inn, located on U.S. Highway 40, was a 34-unit motel built in 1950 in downtown Reno. The hotel was L-shaped and wrapped around the famous Chapel of the Bells wedding chapel. These attractions enabled the business to prosper for 67 years. The neon sign and crown on top are iconic to Reno’s hotel past.

4) Harold’s Club – Established in 1935, the Harold’s Club was a prestigious casino along Virginia Street in downtown Reno. The owners’ father, Pappy, was the face of the casino. They advertised on over 2,000 billboards across U.S. highways with the slogan “Harold’s Club or Bust!” which helped bring in customers. The casino closed in 1995 and the building was demolished in 1999.

5) Stag Inn – Originally located on North Virginia Street in downtown Reno, the Stag Inn opened in 1933 adjacent to the famous arch that reads “The Biggest Little City in the World.” Primarily a bar, at various times the Stag offered slots, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker and faro. The Stag Inn closed in 1960 and Lincoln Fitzgerald purchased the property.

6) The Downtown Bowl – Located on North Center Street, The Downtown Bowl opened in 1948 and was one of the first of its bowling alley kind, with 12 lanes and an automatic pinsetter in Reno. The lanes opened nightly for a multitude of bowling leagues and was best known for their annual Downtown Bowl Memorial Classic. In 1950, the Truckee River flooded the streets of downtown Reno and The Downtown Bowl was not spared. The Downtown Bowl was able to reopen after shoveling out thick mud and making repairs to the building. The Downtown Bowl stayed open until 1958 when it was purchased by a different company and relocated.

7) El Ray Motel – The El Ray Motel was built in 1964 and was located on Arlington Ave., just two blocks from the heart of downtown Reno and the flashy casino lights and neon along Virginia Street. The motel closed its doors in 2018. The eclectic neon sign is remembered as one of many famous signs that adds to the unique and nostalgic culture of Reno’s past.

8) The Gold Room – Located inside the Golden Bank Casino along famed Virginia Street in downtown Reno, The Gold Room was a successful burlesque club during the 1950s and 1960s. In 1962, an acetylene tank exploded in the basement of the property, completely destroying the hotel and damaging the casino. A year later, the casino and The Gold Room reopened under new ownership. In 1966, the property was sold to William F. Harrah and rebranded as Harrah’s Casino.

9) City Center Motel – The City Center Motel sign on Reno’s Neon Line is the only original sign and was restored by YESCO. The City Center Motel was built in 1957 and located on West Street in Reno, just a couple of blocks away from Reno’s vibrant Virginia Street. The City Center Motel was demolished in 2018.

“We are excited to be part of the revitalization of downtown Reno,” said Jeff Young, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, YESCO. “It’s gratifying to know our work will be viewed by visitors for years to come.”

FUN FACTS:

  • Eight of the nine signs on Reno’s Neon Line are tribute signs and were designed and fabricated to look like the originals in a tribute to Reno’s history.
  • The Nevada U.S. 40 sign was inspired by the location of the Neon Line district on Fourth Street, just past historic Nevada Highway 40.
  • Reno’s Neon Line District neon sign project took YESCO more than 2071 man-hours to complete.
  • YESCO worked over 208 hours to install the tape lighting portion of the project.