The long-moribund Imperial Inn in east downtown Albuquerque probably will reopen to overnight travelers sometime next month after city officials hailed a $7 million redevelopment of the Route 66 motel. The Imperial, located at 701 Central Ave. (aka Route 66), now has 56 guest rooms, 16 residential suites and 4,400 square feet of commercial space … Continue reading Imperial Inn in Albuquerque likely will reopen to overnight guests next month
Category: Businesses
Distinctive muffler shop building in Holbrook torn down to make way for a dollar store
A distinctive but long-closed building that once housed a muffler shop in Holbrook, Arizona, was torn down in recent days. Local reports indicate the site will be used for a Dollar General store: It stood next to the landmark Wigwam Motel. As usual, the Route 66 Times website had information about the site at West … Continue reading Distinctive muffler shop building in Holbrook torn down to make way for a dollar store
Ten recipients named for Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program
The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership a few days ago announced 10 recipients from its Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program. The Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grant Program provides critical and flexible funding to businesses and attractions along Route 66 that are majority women-owned or operated. Dawn Federico in front of the Blue Swallow Motel's repaired neon … Continue reading Ten recipients named for Route 66 Extraordinary Women Micro-Grants Program
Loss of Maplewood typewriter repair shop may be Rolla’s gain
A typewriter repair shop in the Route 66 town of Maplewood, Missouri, has closed after almost 60 years in business, but it appears its services and part of its collection will resurface later this year in Rolla, Missouri -- another Route 66 town. Jones Typewriter Co. recently closed after 81-year-old owner Vern Trampe decided to … Continue reading Loss of Maplewood typewriter repair shop may be Rolla’s gain
Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
The initial application period for the Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program opened Friday, making $6.6 million available to municipalities, nonprofits and government entities on Route 66. Oversight for the grants will be by the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission, comprised of Oklahoma residents who live and work on the Mother Road. The application period will close at 5 … Continue reading Application window opens for Oklahoma Route 66 Grant program
Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class
Three individuals will be inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame during a ceremony next month. The Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society announced the third set of inductees last week. The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 27 at the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon, Missouri, during the society's … Continue reading Three named to Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame’s latest class
Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
The owner of Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, is commissioning a new, nearly 20-foot-tall Muffler Man called "Big A the Texaco Man" that he hopes will be standing at his business by summer 2024. "Big A" is being made by Enchanted Castle Studios, which has made other Muffler Men or fiberglass giants around the country … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena plans a ‘Big A the Texaco Man’ fiberglass giant by summer
National Trust offering the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently launched the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund which generally will offer grants of $5,000 to $10,000, with no match required. The fund aims to help business owners advance projects in Capital improvements; Planning; Marketing and outreach. Eligible projects will be located in the broader Route 66 … Continue reading National Trust offering the Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund
Buck Atom statue in Tulsa will have a companion sometime next year
It appears Buck Atom has a girlfriend. The namesake fiberglass giant at Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in Tulsa will have a companion statue coming sometime in 2024. Mary Beth Babcock, owner of the souvenir shop at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66), announced last week that Stella Atom, a 19-foot-tall space cowgirl, … Continue reading Buck Atom statue in Tulsa will have a companion sometime next year
More details revealed of proposed renovations for Blue Whale site in Catoosa
Now we know better where that proposed $6 million for the Blue Whale would go. The City Council of Catoosa, Oklahoma, last week unveiled a proposed master plan for the iconic Blue Whale site along Route 66 as envisioned by Hampton Creative of Tulsa. Among the additions would be a mini-golf course, a new visitors center, … Continue reading More details revealed of proposed renovations for Blue Whale site in Catoosa