Saint Paul's First National Bank building has a new owner and they've turned off the wonderful, nostalgic red neon "1" until further notice because of wind damage.

I know; it's only a sign, and I suppose I shouldn't be sad. But I think all of my kids have had that point at which they can recognize that we're close to home, and it's by seeing the red number one.

Also, I just like neon. There's something warm and simple and  different about it. (Go admire this amazing picture.) LED restorations are wonderful and I'm glad that iconic signs sometimes get new life that way (for example, the Schmidt brewery sign), but it's not the same.

KARE11 article here.