Saving the sign from the old Coachman's restaurant in Salt Lake represents a rare preservation victory. A local community council launched a fundraiser to have the sign professionally dismantled so it can be stored until preservationists hope the time is right to reinstall it.
Lisa Michelle Church, an author of two books on Utah vintage signs, stated that it is very rare for these specific circumstances to align, estimating that only about one in 100 old signs are saved.
Babs De Lay, a Salt Lake City historic landmark commissioner, said the sign transcends business and is part of the local culture, evoking memories of the past. De Lay recalled the restaurant being smoky and described the clientele as interesting or even nefarious.
Coachman's was a popular establishment with a history in the Utah restaurant world spanning more than 60 years, from the 1950s through the COVID-19 era. One former owner expressed a hope that customers felt they were treated as friends during the restaurant's run.
