Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, will reopen sometime this fall after it acquired new, locally based owners who want to largely preserve the Route 66 landmark.
The future of the destination looked dim after the unexpected death in August 2024 of its longtime owner, Rich Henry, at the age of 77.
Henry’s Rabbit Ranch (aka Henry’s Ra66it Ranch) had been a popular tourism stop for about 30 years.
In recent weeks, Melissa Quinones, her husband Luis Quinones and her brother Mike Bellovich decided to join forces to purchase the property. Melissa and Mike both grew up in Staunton.
“It’s such a big part of Staunton’s history. It’s a piece of our heart, of Route 66 history,” Melissa said in a phone interview Thursday.
She said she had heard rumors that Henry’s Rabbit Ranch would be purchased and torn down.
“We just couldn’t let it happen,” she said. “We just didn’t want to see it die or a corporation bring it down.”
Melissa Quinones declined to reveal the purchase price. The three revealed the acquisitions in a Facebook post, including the message: “Some legends deserve another chapter; the story isn’t over.”
One post stated, in part: “We’ve been pouring our hearts into reimagining the Rabbit Ranch while staying true to everything people have always loved about it. There will be familiar favorites, new experiences, and plenty of surprises that we can’t wait to share with all of you over the coming months.”
Melissa said she hopes to reopen Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in late October.
In the meantime, the three have been cleaning up and sorting through memorabilia on the sprawling property, including moving about two dozen Volkswagen Rabbit cars. She said about half of the Rabbits will be sold.
They will also keep one or two of the Campbell 66 Express trailers known for the camel-based “Humpin’ to Please” slogan. Quinones said that removing several other trailers will improve the property’s sight lines and open space so Henry’s Rabbit Ranch can host music festivals.
Melissa said they will add picnic tables to the property and redesign the gift shop, including stocking more locally made Route 66 memorabilia.
Among the new offerings will be a Build-A-Hare shop, taking a page from the Build-A-Bear Workshop chain. Quinones said customers can use toy rabbits with the Henry’s logo and dress them in a variety of costumes.
One former tradition at Henry’s Rabbit Ranch that won’t be revived right away is the live rabbits. Henry once kept dozens of rabbits as pets. Quinones said they are reluctant to do that until they undergo training on how to raise the animals properly.
Melissa said the ultimate goal is to convert the large workshop into an Airbnb site by late 2027. She said it will contain original memorabilia from Henry’s Rabbit Ranch for the enjoyment of overnight guests.
Though Henry’s Rabbit Ranch hasn’t reopened, the new owners already have received numerous visitors, including those traveling Route 66 from Europe.
And Melissa said many Staunton residents are moved by the prospect of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch reopening.
“They are in tears about it coming back,” she said.
(Image of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, by Nicholas Kaeser via Flickr)