Grand Canyon Cafe grand reopening set for next Saturday

The Grand Canyon Cafe in Flagstaff, Arizona, will hold a grand reopening celebration Saturday, Oct. 7, with free pancakes that morning and possibly free meals for a year at the historic Route 66 restaurant. Starting at 10:30 a.m. next Saturday, guests can score free pancakes in exchange for submitting their email addresses or sharing their online … Continue reading Grand Canyon Cafe grand reopening set for next Saturday

Landowner of Classen Circle plans to demolish site anyway

Oklahoma City zoning commissioners hit a stalemate Thursday on whether to rezone historic Classen Circle to allow the construction of a Braum's restaurant there, but the landowner said he planned to raze the site for redevelopment regardless of the Braum's decision. Commissioners mustered only a 3-3 tie on whether to rezone the parcel. But it … Continue reading Landowner of Classen Circle plans to demolish site anyway

Filmmaker is crowdfunding a portion of his Blue Whale movie

  Tulsa-based filmmaker Jonathan Rossetti wants to make a coming-of-age independent film set at the iconic Blue Whale of Catoosa, Oklahoma, and he has set up a crowdfunding campaign to hire a casting director. Rossetti launched up his campaign this month on Seed and Spark. He hopes to raise about $10,000 within two weeks. He … Continue reading Filmmaker is crowdfunding a portion of his Blue Whale movie

Route 66 Bowl near Joplin being converted into training center

Route 66 Bowl, a facility which had served bowling fans for about a half-century near the Missouri-Kansas border, recently was purchased and is being converted into a wrestling training center and gym. KSN-TV reported Dave O'Banion, owner of Renegade Wrestling Academy in Joplin, Missouri, recently bought the facility, which also was known as Route 66 … Continue reading Route 66 Bowl near Joplin being converted into training center

El Vado Motel’s lobby soon will open as beer taproom

The lobby of the historic El Vado Motel in Albuquerque will open in early November as a taproom for local beers from Ponderosa Brewing Co. Redevelopment of the Route 66 landmark into a boutique motel is continuing, but Chad Rennaker of Palindrome Communities Development told the Albuquerque Journal that El Vado Taproom will open in a … Continue reading El Vado Motel’s lobby soon will open as beer taproom

Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die”

Traveling Route 66 has ended up on many people's so-called "bucket list," or "things you ought to do before you kick the bucket." Prolific author Jim Hinckley created a bucket list for Route 66 itself in his newest book, "100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die" (160 pages, soft cover, photos, Reedy … Continue reading Book review: “100 Things to Do on Route 66 Before You Die”

Restaurant inspired by Roy’s of Amboy opens in Barstow

Roy's Cafe, which features a neon sign inspired by another sign at the historic Roy's of Amboy, California, recently opened on Route 66 in Barstow, California. Here's the sign for the original Roy's, for comparison's sake: Carlos Aceves, Amboy town manager, wrote to the Route 66 yahoogroup Saturday: Roy's Cafe is now open in Barstow … Continue reading Restaurant inspired by Roy’s of Amboy opens in Barstow

You may help land a grant to rehab the Formosa Cafe

With the help of Route 66 enthusiasts, the historic Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood, California, could be rehabilitated for the enjoyment of future Mother Road travelers and Hollywood stars. American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Main Street America have teamed to launch the Vote Your Main Street campaign, in which 10 of … Continue reading You may help land a grant to rehab the Formosa Cafe

Over half of balusters from Carthage bridge are sold

Over half of the 100 limestone balusters salvaged from the now-demolished Highway 96 (aka Route 66) bridge in Carthage, Missouri, were sold for $250 apiece. Dozens of the balusters were purchased within 30 minutes -- mostly by locals -- when they went on sale Friday as a fundraiser for Vision Carthage, a nonprofit dedicated to city … Continue reading Over half of balusters from Carthage bridge are sold

City of Pacific agrees to buy Red Cedar Inn

The city of Pacific, Missouri, agreed earlier this month to buy the historic but long-closed Red Cedar Inn restaurant along Route 66 for an undisclosed price. The real-estate deal will close Friday, reported the Washington Missourian newspaper. In discussion, City Administrator Steve Roth noted that the seller has agreed to some changes aldermen wanted. [...] … Continue reading City of Pacific agrees to buy Red Cedar Inn