ROGERS PARK — Time has temporarily stopped for the well-known 2½-ton clock atop Clark and Devon Hardware in Rogers Park while the gigantic aluminum and stainless steel piece gets some much-needed repairs.
On Jan. 19, the clock was taken apart piece-by-piece and taken down, requiring help from a crane and hours of work, according to the store.
The clock has become a fixture at the busy corner of Clark and Devon, a dividing line between Rogers Park and Edgewater. Clark and Devon Hardware, 6401 N. Clark St., is a family-owned Far North Side institution, dating to 1924.
For the last 10 years, it has displayed the huge light-up clock, created by designer Paul Bluestone, sign-maker Bill VanBruggen and Ken Walchak, owner of Clark Devon Hardware.
"It has really become quite a neighborhood symbol, landmark," Aviva Plummer said of the hardware store.
Designer Bill VanBruggen and others take a look at the cracks that appeared on the clock as it was removed piece-by-piece. [Provided/Aviva Plummer]
Being outside, the clock has been exposed to extreme weather and temperatures up to 140 degrees, Plummer said.
That's caused the clock's back-lit sign to form "web-like cracks" known as "crazing" across its face. Those will be repaired.
Clear coating on the aluminum hands of the clock will also be updated.
A blank circular face now sits where the iconic clock normally faces out to the street, but a digital clock that displays the time and temperature is directly below.
After Plummer posted an announcement of the repairs on social media, she said some customers commented they were "freaking out" when they noticed the clock had come down.
But not to worry, Plummer said. It's due back at its usual spot, likely by the end of the month.
Get a look at how the clock was made.
Clark Devon Hardware from Projects on Vimeo.
