The co-owner of Route 66 Wedding Chapel, Mother Road Old Time Photos and Christmas Shop of Tucumcari in Tucumcari, New Mexico, announced Monday those shops closed and possibly will move to Tennessee because of health issues and family obligations.
The three businesses were housed in one storefront across the street from the historic Blue Swallow Motel for more than four years.
The businesses closed June 21.
Rhys and Leigh Williams had operated the businesses from their home in Tennessee, but she stated in a Facebook post that long-distance arrangement had become untenable.
Our original plan of moving back to NM has been revised numerous times as the ongoing demands and variables of our lives were, and are ever changing. Rhys’ rollover crash and critical injury, my mother’s passing, our daughter and son in-law moving back to TN from CA, the recent birth of our 1st grandson, and my cancer diagnosis are prime examples of events that have subsequently altered our priorities and perspectives. We have come to realize that moving away from our family and my medical care team is not where our hearts are at the moment. Continued long distance ownership isn’t an ideal situation and was never our intention.
We are considering the possibility of relocating our old time photo studio and wedding chapel to the Nashville area. […]
We would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation and thanks to our friends, fellow business owners, roadies and especially our fabulous Route 66 customers for your support over the years!
Until our paths cross again, be well, safe travels and God bless!
Route 66 Wedding Chapel specialized in spur-of-the-moment nuptials for those traveling Route 66 through Tucumcari — especially those staying overnight at the nearby Blue Swallow.
Mother Road Old Time Photos specialized in black-and-white and sepia-toned images and supplied costumes so customers could take home an Old West souvenir — especially during Tucumcari’s annual Rawhide Days festival.
And the Christmas store, with its old-school or Route 66-themed ornaments and other gifts, offered another revenue supply during the tourism off-season.
Williams said the closings aren’t because of a lack of business. So perhaps someone else can take those ideas and continue them or go one step further on the Mother Road.
(Images from Route 66 Wedding Chapel, Mother Road Old Time Photos and Christmas Store of Tucumcari via Facebook)