Skippy’s Route 66 Restaurant near Leasburg, Missouri, reopened last week after a fire heavily damaged the old Route 66 business in October.
Skippy’s posted on its Facebook page July 6:
We have officially opened up! Good times to pull that switch for that open sign! It’s been a long road, but I can officially state on skippys site we are open! We have missed you! We cannot wait to see everyone!
The blaze scorched the restaurant’s bar and dining area, while smoke and water damaged other parts of the building.
Owner Skip Sheleski vowed to rebuild and “make it nicer again.”
Based on photos of intricate stonework added to the building in May, Sheleski fulfilled that promise.
Skippy’s originally was the Coachlight Inn, opened by retired railroad worked Joe White and his wife Loretta in 1970. They sold it in 1988. After a series of short-time owners, Sheleski bought the place in 2000, initially renamed it the Route 66 Inn, and it became a favorite of locals and Route 66 travelers.
Skippy’s isn’t in Leasburg, but a few miles north. The restaurant sits at the corner of old Route 66 and Route H.
(Image of Skippy’s Route 66 Restaurant via Facebook)