Vermont iconic business' sign is fried

By Ted Cohen

Al's French Fries iconic roadside sign in South Burlington will be replaced with an entirely new one due to local roadway and infrastructure construction, a change that is triggering critics.

"Al's should find away to save the sign even if it cost extra to move," said the Facebook page Vermont Memories - Burlington and Beyond.

The website said the 80-year-old venerated sign is "historic.

"Would hate to lose that history."

The landmark sign (standing since 1946) needs to be relocated to accommodate South Burlington's City Center street and bike-pedestrian path projects, including work along Williston Road and Garden Street.

Co-owner Bill Bissonette told WPTZ-TV that the original sign is too old to move safely and no contractor was willing to take on the risk.

"At the end of the day, it's probably better for us overall. There's less maintenance," Bissonnette said. "The sign will be new. So overall, I think it's a move in the right direction."

Construction for the new sign is scheduled to begin in the spring, after which the original sign will be taken down.

The new sign will be built just east of the current location.

The restaurant's main driveway entrance is also being reconfigured further down the parking lot.