The rotating Roto-Sphere sign -- better known as "Sputnik'' -- isn't missing. It's in a shop being refurbished for Joe's Wines at 1681 Poplar. (By Thomas Bailey/The Commercial Appeal)

SHARE Joe's Wines & Liquor has temporarily removed its famous "Sputnik'' sign for refurbishing. (Jim Weber/The Commercial Appeal)

By Thomas Bailey Jr. of The Commercial Appeal

One of Memphis' most revered signs -- the "Sputnik'' at Joe's Wines & Liquors -- is missing but not lost in space.

The ball with rotating neon arms has been grounded for maintenance.

"It's been 18 years since it's been refurbished,'' said Joe's owner Brad Larson. "We wanted to redo it all.''

The 54-year-old sign is in pieces at Balton Sign Company, which is bolstering the metal pieces, repainting the parts, and straightening the bending pole.

Also, the manual message board underneath is being replaced with an electronic message board.

Memphians refer to the old sign as "Sputnik'' because it resembles the round satellite spiked with antennae arms that Russia sent into space in 1957. But it's actually one of 234 Roto-Spheres sold to businesses around the nation in 1960-1971, according to RoadsideArchitecture.com. Few are left and fewer still continue to operate.

Memphians are invested in the sign. When Larson bought Joe's Wines at 1681 Poplar 18 years ago, Sputnik had been broken and motionless for years. "We put out a tip jar,'' Larson said. "Raised $11,000. That's what it cost to get it fixed.''

So when the working Roto-Sphere was removed about six weeks ago, some customers got emotional.

"We had people who came to tears when we told them we took it down,'' Larson said. "We waited a second to say it was just being fixed.''

"We got some hateful emails: 'What are you doing? When is it coming back up?' For a lot of folks it means a lot.''

The sign lay in pieces at Balton Sign Co., owner Jeff Balton said Monday, adding, "We'll try to have it up by Friday.''

Sputnik will be relaunched at a lower altitude.

"We had to lower it four feet -- about the size of the ball - to meet the new codes,'' Larson said.