Restaurant Owner Arrested as Famed Sign Comes Down

The sign perched atop Arthur’s restaurant in Downey that zinged one-liners for 30 years came down Wednesday, while police officers--who have been his customers--led owner Arthur Fast away in handcuffs.

Fast, whose diner has been a neighborhood fixture on Lakewood Boulevard since 1961, was arrested about 10 a.m. while code enforcement officers brought down the 11-foot marquee on which he had published such bon mots as “Fresh Hamburger, Old Owner,” “Thank You for Not Dieting,” and a barrage of Clinton jokes.

“I’m going to miss those funny little sayings,” said Pat Smith, a 25-year customer who regularly came in after knocking down a few frames at Del Rio Bowl.

The toppling of the sign ended a three-year battle between Fast and Downey City Hall. A ban on roof signs was enacted in 1977, but wasn’t enforced until 20 years later. City officials say they have ordered 140 signs down in the last three years, and Fast is the only one who has continued to fight.

After his arrest by police officers who had also been his customers, Fast paid $845 in fines and was released. He said he knew the showdown was inevitable, but has been inspired by his customers who have protested to the city manager.

“Now I don’t have to be clever anymore,” said the 70-year-old owner, who opened the restaurant as an Orange Julius stand in 1961. “That should be easy.”

Fast said he doesn’t have any plans to erect a legal sign in front of the building because of space limitations: The lot is tiny, barely big enough to squeeze in a diner with nine tables and 10 parking spaces. But he may try further legal action against the city, he said.

Fast did get one last stab in before his sign was removed. Last month, the marquee read, “The City of Downey Happens.”