The new owners of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch in Staunton, Illinois, have selected Oct. 25 as the grand reopening date for the Route 66 landmark.
The event will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the site at 1107 Historic Old Route 66.
Among the activities that day:
- A children’s Bunny Scavenger Hunt with a squishy/Nee Doh prize drawing (including a rare Nee Doh)
- Spray painting the site’s Volkswagen Rabbit cars
- Giveaways of a night’s stay at The Rabbit Hole Airbnb or a $100 gift card to Bill’s IGA in Staunton
- A 50/50 drawing
- Tours of the Rabbit Hole Airbnb
- Exploring the updated gift shop
- Food trucks and an indoor vendor and artisan fair
Earlier this year, Melissa Quinones, her husband Luis Quinones and her brother Mike Bellovich purchased the property. Melissa and Mike both grew up in Staunton.
The future of Henry’s Rabbit Ranch had looked dim after the unexpected death in August 2024 of its longtime owner, Rich Henry, at age 77. Henry’s had been a popular tourist stop for about 30 years.
(Image of the Henry’s Rabbit Ranch main sign in Staunton, Illinois, by Nicholas Kaeser via Flickr)