Join the Campaign to Restore the Iconic Neon Chick Sign

The neon chick sign at the former Poehlmann Hatchery is celebrating its 90th birthday this year, and the Petaluma Signs Project, a program of the Petalumans of Yesteryear, a local nonprofit, is seeking your support to bring this iconic piece of Petaluma NEON back to life.

The sign has nearly gone dark and is in dire need of a complete restoration that requires replacement of all deteriorated electrical components, including old transformers, wiring, housings, and support posts. All neon components will be replaced on the chick. The sign will be carefully scraped and repainted. The original "BABY CHICKS" lettering will replace "RESTAURANT" which was a 1970s alteration.

Every donation gets us closer to the goal of funding a full professional restoration for this iconic sign by Jim Rizzo of Neon Works in Oakland. We are working in close contact with local resident Mamie Strong, owner of the neon chick sign and the Poehlmann Hatchery building. Mamie inherited the sign but not the money to restore it. Once the neon chick is glowing again, Mamie has committed to keeping it well-maintained and glowing year-round.

This restored neon chick will light up the past and spark inspiration for the future of Petaluma. Captured here in 1942 by photographer Russell Lee for the Federal Farm Security Administration, the sign represents an era when craftsmanship meant quality sheet metal construction designed to endure, protected by paint that kept rust at bay for decades.

When you sponsor this neon chick sign with your donation, you can look forward to the time when you feel the glow of pride every time you drive down Petaluma Blvd and see it shining instead of rusting away.

This campaign is a proud partnership of the Petaluma Signs Project, San Francisco Neon and the Petalumans of Yesteryear.