Palace Marquee Gets a Facelift!

Have you noticed a little less “dazzle” downtown lately? While the gray skies may be partially responsible, we at CAPA have been missing the Palace Theatre’s iconic vertical marquee that normally lights up Broad Street.

The sign was removed on Saturday, February 21, for a little facelift. The marquee has been refurbished, most notably the lighting. DāNite Sign Co. has re-painted the sign and replaced the neon with LED lighting. The updates will drastically improve energy efficiency and cut down (or virtually eliminate) all maintenance. So, no more burnt out letters!

This is not the first makeover the Palace marquee has gotten! In November of 1929, the Palace Theatre became the Radio Keith Orpheum (RKO) Palace Theatre, when the theatre was transitioning from vaudeville acts to films and live acts. It was then the Palace Theatre vertical marquee was created, boasting the letters “RKO” at the very top.

The marquee was replaced as part of the theatre’s grand re-opening in the 1980s, resulting in the familiar Broad Street icon that we know today.

On April 11 the updated sign was re-installed with new life, above the Palace Theatre marquee. Now beaming brighter than ever, the Palace Theatre sign clearly marks one of Columbus’ true treasures—a stunning historic theatre still serving our community after almost 90 years.

by Emily Belcik