MORGANTOWN, W. Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--More than 125 years ago, Coca-Cola introduced its brand new refreshing and invigorating soft drink with painted advertising wall murals in towns and communities across the country, particularly in the rural South. Thousands of these iconic advertising murals remain, but many have become faded ‘ghost signs’.
On Monday, October 26, Coca- Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated will host a community event to celebrate the newly renovated Coca-Cola sign on High Street at 11:00am — and everyone is invited! The restored sign is located at 456 High Street in Morgantown. The event will include complimentary lunch from High Street Pasta, special guests, an appearance by the WVU Mountaineer, and lots of ice-cold Coca-Cola products! The event is free and open to the public.
“We are so proud to be the local Coca-Cola bottler in Morgantown, and we are thrilled to be able to restore the historic Coca-Cola ‘ghost sign’ on High Street,” Alison Patient, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, said. “These iconic wall murals are a part of Coca-Cola’s history, part of Morgantown’s history and a special part of Americana.”
United States Senator Shelley Moore Capito as well as Delegate Joe Statler and Delegate Brian Kurcuba will join the event as special guests.
"I am thrilled to take part in the unveiling of Coca-Cola's restored 'ghost sign'," said Senator Capito. "Comunitzis Restaurant is where my parents went on their first date, and where I met my husband Charlie for the first time when we were teenagers. This mural has so much significance in the Morgantown community, and in my own family's history, and I am glad to celebrate its restoration."
In addition to painting the historic Coca-Cola mural, Coke Consolidated worked with the city to restore the Comuntzis Uptown Restaurant portion of the sign.
"My cousins, Annette Comuntzis-Houser and Georgette Comuntzis-Page, join me in thanking Coca-Cola for not only restoring the Coke sign but also restoring a part of Morgantown's history that our family played in this wonderful town. Annette and I look forward to being a part of this commemoration," said Kay Marie Comuntzis-Getsinger.
Dean Krieder and the WVU Mountaineer are attending Monday’s community celebration.
“Public art is such an important part of any vibrant community, and it’s a great way to preserve history and connect citizens to it,” said Dean Paul Kreider of the WVU College of Creative Arts. “It’s rewarding to see our University and our community involved in these efforts that make Morgantown a richer, more exciting place.”
Coca-Cola Consolidated has identified and restored more than two dozen ghost signs over the last three years.
Residents of the area are encouraged to come out to High Street for the historic mural commemoration and enjoy lunch from High Street Pasta and refreshing Coca-Cola products.
About Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC)
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated (CCBCC) is the nation's largest independent Coca-Cola bottler. The Company operates primarily in the Southeast, with corporate offices located in Charlotte, North Carolina. CCBCC stock is traded on the NASDAQ exchange under the symbol COKE.
Learn more about Coca-Cola Consolidated at www.cokeconsolidated.com, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
