Restorations & Replicas, Sign Projects
Recreating the Old Canteen Sign | Historic Tribute in Light
A Piece of Providence History 🕰
For nearly seven decades, Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen was a landmark on Providence’s Federal Hill. Founded in 1956, it stood out with its pink-walled dining room, classic Italian menu, and an atmosphere that blended elegance with old-world hospitality.
Over the years, the Old Canteen became more than just a restaurant — it was a community hub. Politicians, celebrities, and everyday locals all gathered there, celebrating milestones or simply enjoying a plate of pasta the way it had been made for generations.
The restaurant’s distinctive neon sign was just as iconic as the food inside. Bold red script reading “Old Canteen,” framed with a border of round marquee bulbs, and crowned with green block letters spelling “Joe Marzilli’s” — it glowed like a beacon to anyone walking Federal Hill.
When the Old Canteen closed its doors in early 2025, it left behind memories, stories, and a powerful sense of nostalgia for those who had made it part of their lives.
A Customer With a Vision 💭
Not long after the restaurant’s closure, my wife, Kristie, was contacted by a local police officer who grew up in the area and had fond memories of the Old Canteen.
He wanted to pay homage to the place that had meant so much to his community. His original dream was to have a full illuminated replica of the sign, just like the one that hung over Federal Hill. Unfortunately, the price for a project like that was out of his budget, so he planned to order a simpler carved wood version instead.
After hearing the story from Kristie, I couldn’t shake the idea of making the light-up version anyway. Even though it meant building it at a greatly reduced price and working on it after hours, I wanted to see it brought back to life.
This was more than just another project — it was a chance to preserve a piece of Rhode Island history.
Research and Design 🎨
I began by gathering every photo I could find of the original sign, noting proportions, letterforms, and details like the placement of the bulbs and the subtle curves of the border.
The goal was to match the spirit of the original without cutting corners, even if I had to adapt certain construction methods for budget and materials.
💡 Did you know? The Old Canteen’s pink dining room walls stayed the same shade for nearly 70 years — it became part of its charm.
Building the Replica 🛠
🎨 1. Design & Planning
This project began with hours of design work, carefully studying every available photo of the old marquee and recreating its proportions in Vectric VCarve Pro.
The flowing “Old Canteen” script was redrawn by hand to capture the rhythm of the neon tubes, while every curve, angle, and detail of the sign was rebuilt to match the authentic proportions of the original.
💡 Did you know? The Old Canteen was once called “the Sardi’s of Providence.”
🔪 2. Cutting the Sign Body
Using my CNC equipment, I cut the main sign face shapes from easy to work but high-quality materials, ensuring the outlines matched the original proportions exactly.
💡 History: Opened in 1956 by Joe Marzilli, the Old Canteen remained family-run until 2025 — the oldest family-owned restaurant in Rhode Island.
🔧 3. Welding the Mounting Frame
Now that both sign faces are done I need to make the mount, so I TIG-welded a custom mounting frame from aluminum, designed to securely hold the sign and provide the right balance and support for a double-sided build.
💡 Did you know? The original neon “Old Canteen” script could be seen from blocks away.
✨ 4. Acrylic Lettering for the Neon Effect
I used a CO₂ laser to cut red and green acrylic to match the original neon colors. These pieces would sit over routed pockets in the sign face, with COB LED strips behind them to create that classic glow.
💡 Did you know? Providence’s Federal Hill — the city’s “Little Italy” — has been a cultural hub for over a century.
🎨 5. Test Assembly, Painting & Distressing
After a full test assembly, I disassembled the sign to paint the inside surfaces white — maximizing brightness — and to prime and paint the exterior.
The sign was painted entirely white to start, then the final colors were applied. Once fully assembled, I distressed the surface to give it the aged, weathered look the customer requested — a nod to the decades the original spent hanging above Federal Hill.
💡 History: Many of the restaurant’s longtime waiters worked there for decades, becoming as much a fixture as the sign itself.
💡 6. Lighting the Marquee Border
The original marquee bulbs had a very distinct size and shape, and the closest modern replacement turned out to be patio-style LED string lights.
To match the old construction, I removed the glued-on plastic globes with a heat gun so the bulbs could mount from the backside, just like the originals. While I would have preferred clear bulbs for full authenticity, these frosted ones still capture the vintage glow and preserve the look.
💡 Did you know? The sign saw different bulbs over the years, but kept its 1950s look.
💡 7. Light Boxes & Letter Panels
The top and bottom of the sign each feature their own light box:
- Top Box: Green acrylic letters over pocketed wood spelling “Joe Marzilli’s.”
- Bottom Box: Flat white acrylic panel with “Italian Restaurant” in green.
💡 Did you know? The menu changed little for decades — customers counted on classics like Italian wedding soup and veal parmigiana.
🪵 8. Edge Trimming & Sealing
To save weight, I used 2 mm PVC sheeting for the curved center section and 3 mm Baltic birch ply for the box edges.
💡 Did you know? Even after interior updates, the sign remained the timeless visual link for generations of diners.
💨 9. Ventilation & Serviceability
Strategic vent holes allow the power supplies and light boxes to breathe. The dimmer is hidden behind the bottom white acrylic for easy access if needed and the lower trim removes to service the power supplies.
💡 History: The original neon sign was hand-made by a local sign shop — a craft that, like this project, took hours of precision.
⚡ 10. Power & Controls
An aluminum bracket assembly holds two 60-watt power supplies, the patio light transformer, and the LED dimmer controls.
💡 Did you know? The Old Canteen was a favorite for local politicians — including former Providence Mayor Buddy Cianci.
The Finished Tribute ✨
When I flipped the switch, the red script glowed warmly, the green lettering popped, and the border lights sparkled — a faithful echo of the Old Canteen’s original glow.
It was more than just a sign. It was a memory, brought back to life in wood, paint, and light.
Why It Matters 🕰
Signs like this aren’t just decoration — they’re part of a community’s identity.
For those who dined at the Old Canteen, this is a reminder of family dinners, first dates, and celebrations. For me, it was an honor to bring it back for someone who truly cherishes its history.
Have a Piece of History You’d Like Recreated?
If you have a sign, logo, or other piece of visual history you’d like to preserve, I’d love to help.
Whether it’s a full restoration or a new build inspired by the past, we can work together to keep those memories shining.
