LOCAL SIGN COMPANY MAY CLOSE OR BE SOLD

General Sign Co. of Cape Girardeau has prospects for some big jobs this year.

"But, we may not be here to do the jobs," says Lon Maxie, owner of the 53-year-old business at 780 Nash Road. The firm has manufactured signs for companies throughout the United States.

General Sign may be closing its doors within 30 to 60 days.

"We hope this does not happen," said Maxie. "The business is for sale, and we do have some people who are interested in purchasing it. But, we may run out of time."

Employees of the company have been told that as current projects are completed, they will be "laid off."

"The past two years have been the worst we have experienced in the sign industry," added Maxie. "We have run out of financing to take on new projects."

A total of about 30 people have been released in recent weeks, and more will follow, noted Maxie Thursday.

"We're winding down the working process in compliance with banking requests," said Maxie. "Hopefully, the business will be sold before we have to close."

General Sign once employed as many as 130 employees.

"These are good jobs," explained Maxie. "Our average wage scale is about $13 an hour.

"Our signs can be found throughout the nation," said Maxie. "Our company is noted for its quality signs. We did the sign for Donald Trump Plaza. We have signs in New Orleans and in California.

"Right now, three big companies are talking to us about projects," added Maxie. "These include an MGM Movie project, and some casino sign projects in Las Vegas."

Maxie said at least three companies have expressed an interest purchasing General Sign.

"These companies have not indicated whether they would leave the operation in Cape Girardeau," added Maxie. "This has not been discussed."

Maxie, a former artist who previously used his talents in producing movie posters, turned sign painter in 1939 and opened a one-man operation in Cape Girardeau.

"We've weathered a lot of things over the past 53 years," he said. "We have weathered a fire, six floods and a tornado but we have remained in Cape Girardeau."

The company moved to Nash Road in February 1988.