Downtown Las Vegas Museum Welcomes Original Sign from 2002
The Neon Museum – the Las Vegas non-profit known for illuminating the cultural essence of the city – has added the original neon sign from Pride of Philly Steaks, the longtime Las Vegas cheesesteak restaurant also known as “P.O.P.S.,” to its collection.
Following a recent full-scale property refresh and mobile expansion, the iconic “P.O.P.S.” neon sign, featuring the restaurant’s original logo, classic neon colors and vintage Las Vegas charm, found a permanent new home at The Neon Museum. The sign sat atop Pride of Philly Steaks’ distinctive A-frame building from its opening in 2002 and has long been a familiar beacon to locals and visitors along Decatur Boulevard.
“My dad opened Pride of Philly Steaks in 2002 and created the logo that became such a recognizable part of our identity,” said Christina Walton, owner of Pride of Philly Steaks. “As the second generation owner, I’m honored to carry on his legacy and proud that this piece of our family’s history will continue to live on at The Neon Museum. We’re incredibly grateful to be part of Las Vegas’ history and to the local community that has supported us for more than 24 years.”
The sign’s addition to the collection was marked with a private friends and family celebration, bringing together members of the Pride of Philly Steaks and The Neon Museum families to recognize the restaurant’s history and the sign’s next chapter.
Aaron Berger, Executive Director and CEO of The Neon Museum said, “Our collection is about the people, businesses and places that have shaped the city over the years. For many Las Vegans, signs like the P.O.P.S. sign become part of the visual landscape of their lives. Preserving it gives us an opportunity to honor that history and the memories associated with a longtime local business.”
For more than 20 years, the P.O.P.S. sign stood as a familiar landmark for generations of Las Vegans and visitors traveling along Decatur Boulevard. Its bright neon became part of the neighborhood’s landscape and a symbol of the family-owned business behind it. Now preserved at The Neon Museum, the sign carries that history forward while honoring the memories, people and community that have made Pride of Philly Steaks a Las Vegas staple.