The Moon Winx Lodge was shut down by the city of Tuscaloosa. It should be celebrating its 100th birthday soon. Instead, it’s an empty lot off of University Boulevard East. 🌛
When I started this account years ago, I remember coming across the Moon Winx sign and feeling relieved that it was still open and wasn’t some long gone place I’d eventually post about.
I was wrong. It wasn’t then but it is now. Demolition began at the end of 2023.
The Moon Winx dates back to the 1920s and started off with only 20 rooms. In the 1950s, it expanded to 36 rooms and added its iconic neon sign (designed by artist Glenn House).
The motel’s time came to an end a few years after being taken over by owner Jay Patel. It was no longer being adequately maintained, failed its health code inspection and started receiving violations. Repairs were never made and improvements never came. Patel sold the sign to a collector and had the motel demolished.
Today, the Moon Winx is nothing more than a memory to those that stayed here, ate at the famous on site Lamplighter Restaurant or simply enjoyed the soft glow of the neon driving by.
I don’t know exactly who bought the sign (articles just say “a collector”) but I hope Mr. Moon Winx is still shining out there and smiling at each person that passes. ✨
