Ohio diner, coffee-cup sign used for "Alice" sold

(CBS/AP) The sale of a northwest Ohio diner includes its iconic sign, which would look familiar to fans of the TV sitcom "Alice," which aired in the 1970s and '80s.

The sign outside Lester's Diner in Bryan features a tilted neon coffee cup that says "14 OUNCE CUP" and appears to be pouring out a stream of coffee that takes the shape of an arrow. The Blade newspaper of Toledo reports the sign inspired the similar one for Mel's Diner on "Alice."

The series, which ran from 1976 to 1985, starred Linda Lavin in the title role, as a widow who moves with her son and finds a job working as a waitress a diner in Phoenix.

Lester's aging owners closed the place in May and put it up for sale. The buyers posted a sign outside this week saying the diner would become part of a regional group of Four Seasons restaurants serving American-Greek food.