Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66, is crowdfunding an effort to build a new neon sign at her Tulsa gift shop.
Babcock aims to raise $10,000 through a GoFundMe.com campaign that launched about three days ago. As of Tuesday night, she’d raised more than $1,000.
She wrote on Facebook upon the launch of the campaign:
Friends, Buck is back and planning to GO BIG with NEON on Route 66. The constant struggle of someone with BIG IDEAS and DREAMS is the lack of money to bring these ideas to life. If you believe in Buck and his mission to help revitalize Route 66 … consider helping out here or you can purchase a commemorative brick that will be placed at the base of the NEON sign. … Thank you all for believing in “BUCK!” IN BUCK WE TRUST.
A couple of days later, she provided an update about artists pitching in to help with her quest:
We have had a couple generous artists commit to donating the money from the sale of their art towards the NEON. First artist is Matt Goad from Oklahoma City. He has recently been commissioned by the Will Rogers Airport to incorporate multiple designs in terrazzo throughout. His piece posted in the comments is called “66 Re-Entry.” It is $1500 and that money will go directly towards Buck’s NEON! 24 x 30 acrylic on birch wood sealed with epoxy. EMAIL us through our GoFundMe page to purchase or make a donation of $1,500. Thank you again to everyone interested in helping bring this NEON TO LIFE!
Babcock and six other Tulsa businesses along Route 66 have applied for city of Tulsa neon-sign grants that would cover up to 50% percent of their cost. According to artist mockups, the Buck Atom’s sign would come in gold, turquoise, ruby red, white and orange neon, and perhaps even chasing lights around the Route 66 shield.
Other than Babcock, applicants awaiting approval are:
- Bobby O’s Slices & Pies, 1502 E. 11th St.
- Cities Service, West 17th and Southwest Boulevard
- Flo’s Burger Diner, 2604 E. 11th St.
- Interparts of Tulsa, 3615 E. 11th St.
- Renaissance Brewing Company, 1147 S. Lewis Ave.
- U.S. Studio 66, 5202 E. 11th St.
The first sign to be restored with the fledgling Tulsa program was Billy Ray’s Catfish & BBQ, and Tally’s Good Food Cafe recently was approved for a grant.
Babcock also used crowdfunding and other fundraisers to successfully commission a new Muffler Man for her store, which was dedicated this spring to much fanfare.
(Artist’s rendering of the proposed neon sign for Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 via Facebook)