Historic Casey's sign to hang inside bar

The neon glow of the historic Casey’s bar sign will no longer light up Central Avenue. The owners of the bar have decided to hang the iconic sign inside the new building when reconstruction is complete.

The decision comes after builder Eric Payne received a tepid response from Whitefish city councilors in May when requesting a variance to hang the sign on the north facade of the building along First Street.

The three-story building is allowed 34 square feet of signs according to Whitefish’s sign code, but the historic sign alone is 82 square feet. Along with the historic sign, plans also showed two 10.5-foot signs with lettering that spell Casey’s above the entrance on Central and First. The three signs requested totaled 103 square feet, or about three times more than is permitted.

At least three councilors held reservations about the amount and size of signs requested in the variance.

“I cannot in clear conscious allow for square footage over the allowable limit,” Richard Hildner said at the time.

Council decided that night to continue the discussion at another meeting.

Payne took their indecision as a “no” to the variance request.

“Due to the city council’s decision to disallow usage of the historic sign outside, we decided to withdraw our application,” Payne told the Pilot in an email last week. “We are trying to make accommodations for the sign to be used inside the building.”

Work on the new 15,000-square-foot building continues. Plans show the building will include a lounge, casino, poker tables, a dance area and stage, and a heated roof-top bar.