Don't fret, the Schneiders sign along Hwy 401 is only getting some upgrades

After some people expressed alarm on social media over the removal of the Schneiders sign along Highway 401, a spokesperson for the company has confirmed the sign is here to stay. 

Janet Riley, vice-president of communications for Maple Leaf Foods, the company that owns Schneiders, told CBC K-W the sign is only getting a few upgrades.

"We understand that the work being done to our Schneiders sign along the 401 does have people concerned, but have no fear, the sign is not going anywhere," she said.

"We're actually upgrading it just in time for the holidays."

Riley said the work includes new LED lights, which will be more sustainable and will use less energy. The sign will be enhanced, but will keep its classic look, Riley said. 

The sign was first built in 1961 and has since become a fixure for many in Waterloo region. 

"As a young boy, I use to drive with my father from Pickering to Kitchener to visit him, so when I saw that sign, that meant that I was close to mom's house," said Matt Koretsky, of Kitchener.

Koretsky first noticed the Schneiders girl "Nancy" was not on the sign, while driving on McLean Road last week for work. He made a Facebook post to the popular local group Food in Waterloo Region to see if his fellow group members had any intel. 

"My first thought was, 'Well, that's the end of an era right there,'" said Koretsky, whose Facebook post quickly racked up hundreds of comments and dozens of shares. 

"When I posted it to the group everyone felt the same way, and then realized how important it was to everyone other than myself." 

Koretsky decided to do some digging of his own. He called the company himself, and was told the sign was just getting a few upgrades. 

"I quickly went back to the group and edited [the post] to make sure eveyrone calmed down because everyone was upset about it," he said.

Koretsky said he's relieved the sign is here to stay.

Riley said Schneiders understands the sign is significant to many people.