The Name

Wanting a vintage sign to help the disconnect from the modern structure of the Sunset and Vine building into his bohemian restaurant. Ivan Kane searched through neon junk yards in Vegas, where classic neon signs go to die. One day, there in the distance, the sun reflecting off it, he saw a CAFE - ALWAYS OPEN sign, which lay dented and rusted, beckoning him to plug it in. Once doing so, the CAFE neon illuminated brilliantly, while the ALWAYS OPEN struggled to come to life. Eventually - and intermittently - only the W, A and S in ALWAYS OPEN flickered on, buzzing and faltering every few minutes. It was a marriage made in heaven. Ivan had his sign - and his name. Ivan Kane's CAFÈ WAS. With the help of a sign maker, the sign was restored and repaired (almost). Ivan Kane's was riveted on top and piano keys were added to the bottom... but the WAS stayed as it was (excuse the pun). Ivan Kane's Café Was. What was... is!