The good news is, the H&C Coffee Sign is lighted up again.

The bad news is -- it's always lighted up. There's none of that clever pouring action, with the stream of neon coffee coming to life bit by bit, as though it were tumbling out of a neon spout.

The problem is a faulty mechanical animator, said Jim Sears, the president of Center in the Square, which owns the sign. They have ordered a new one. In the meantime, Sears figured a lighted coffee sign was better than an unlighted coffee sign, even if it doesn't pour.

"I said, 'Go ahead and light it up,' " said Sears, who estimated repairs will total about $5,000. He said the rest of the work will be done when they get the part they need.

"With that animator, we should be pouring coffee again."

-- Kevin Kittredge