Offered up for sale is this one of a kind. Caruso’s Italian Restaurant Vintage Neon Sign. This Atlanta eatery was a favorite of President Jimmy Carter back in the days! This Historic Caruso’s Italian Restaurant sign was made in the late 1950’s or early 1960’s and is technically considered “internally illuminated with neon, open channel lettering with a translucent plastic face”. The open channel letters are made from aluminum which was a modern advancement at the time and was replacing sheet metal which is what the signs like this were made from in the earlier years. Sheet metal would rust and disintegrate where as aluminum lasts forever and does not disintegrate. Originally this sign was lit up over the entrance of the Historic Atlanta Italian Food Diner Caruso’s from the late 50’s (or possibly the very early 60’s) until it closed in 1981. After 81′ it was stored in a climate controlled, non smoking environment until just recently when we took it out for photos and to list it up for sale here. Sign measures approximately 5 feet 10 inches long, 15 inches tall, and 8 inches deep. This wonderful sign has the potential to work and light up but it would need to be restored and mounted properly. It will require a power source and some restoration to light up. It does look great though on it’s own! Please look at all the photos to see the exact condition of the sign you. I can send you additional photos upon request so just message me. The “‘s ” on the end is a separate piece by itself and is NOT attached to the “Caruso” part of the sign which is all one piece by itself. Once it is restored and mounted properly the two parts will of course be placed in the correct position together. This Vintage Sign has a lot of History behind it! During the 1960s and 1970s, Caruso’s Italian restaurant near the Atlanta airport was a favorite hangout for politicians and families alike. Co-owner Russell Schell had a great deal to do with its success. Schell bought into the Stewart Avenue establishment in the late 1950s, joining his brother Asa “Bubba” Schell. Russell Schell did whatever the business demanded. He greeted customers, took orders, checked on the food and made sure diners were having a good time. “The atmosphere was wonderful and the food was terrific, ” said his daughter-in-law, Gail Schell of Fayetteville. People wanted to go back because they felt so welcome. “The pizzas were unbelievable, and fried chicken was a speciality, but they could fix anything, ” said his wife, Hazel Schell of Peachtree City. Jimmy Carter came in all the time when he was governor. During World War II, the Atlanta native served as a postal carrier for the U. Armed Forces in Australia and the South Pacific. “I waited for him four years, ” his wife said. It was a love story. After closing Caruso’s in 1981, Mr. Schell took up postal work again, spending five years as a post office clerk in Decatur. Fishing for bass, hunting for deer, dancing with his wife and enjoying family and friends were Mr. Schell’s principal avocations. He was first-class, a No. 1 friend, said Harold Bradford of Griffin, who had known Mr. Schell since grammar school. John Russell Schell Sr. Of Peachtree City passed away in 2005 at the age of 88. Schell was a veteran of World War II, Master Sergeant for four years in U. Armed Forces, Far East; he was a member of American Legion Post #1 for 50 years and a member of United Methodist Church. Schell was a co-owner of Caruso’s Italian Restaurant near the Atlanta Airport with his brother, Asa (Bubba) Schell. He retired from the U. Postal Service in Decatur, GA. He was an honorary member of Jimmy Carter’s Presidential Campaign. He as a great outdoorsman who loved deer hunting and fishing. If you have any more info that you can add to the History and back story of this sign please message me to let me know! Message me if you want to see more photos or if you have any questions!
