On Tuesday, Emily and I drove to the newly opened POPS convenience store and restaurant on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla. In case you hadn't heard, POPS is the brainchild of Aubrey McClendon, CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp. in Oklahoma City. POPS was a way to tie together his love of Route 66 and the … Continue reading Top of the POPS
Category: Businesses
POPS is now open
The POPS convenience store / restaurant on Route 66 in Arcadia, Okla., tried to do what is called a "soft opening" on Monday and keep it low-key. However, travelers and the media got wind of it quickly, including the Daily Oklahoman. So much for low-key. The crowds continued throughout the day, confounding McClendon's plans for … Continue reading POPS is now open
Grand opening set for animal park
Animal Paradise Family Fun Park on old Route 66 near Strafford, Mo., is holding a grand opening -- or a grand re-opening, really -- this weekend, reports the Springfield News-Leader. The new owners of the former Exotic Animal Paradise have added new wrinkles to the operation, including a go-kart track called the Route 66 Speedway … Continue reading Grand opening set for animal park
“Independent America” on Route 66
This is an excerpt from the excellent 2006 documentary, "Independent America," which tells about besieged independent businesses fighting against big-box retailers. The first half of the excerpt contains a visit to Seligman, Ariz., and its Sno-Cap Drive-In and Route 66 advocate Angel Delgadillo. The second half tells about Wal-Mart's offensive ad against Flagstaff's efforts to … Continue reading “Independent America” on Route 66
Pointed questions mark Missouri 266 relocation hearing
The Missouri Department of Transportation wants to relocate Missouri Highway 266 a few hundred feet north so it can better accommodate Springfield-Branson National Airport. However, a lot of residents at a public hearing on Monday questioned whether relocating the highway was cost-effective compared to widening the existing one, reported the Springfield News-Leader. Those skeptics included … Continue reading Pointed questions mark Missouri 266 relocation hearing
Lunchtime at Wrink’s Market
On Friday, I paid a lunchtime visit to the newly resurrected Route 66 icon, Wrink's Market of Lebanon, Mo. Even though longtime Route 66 aficionados will see changes in Wrink's that indicate the convenience store remains a work in progress, I noticed two things that should gladden their hearts: Terry Wrinkle, one of the sons … Continue reading Lunchtime at Wrink’s Market
Notes from the road
I got a call a few days ago from Bill Kinder, co-owner of the Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, N.M., informing me that all of his motel's neon lights have been repaired. The motel's neon (and others along Route 66 in Tucumcari) were damaged this spring by a severe hailstorm. Missouri Route 66er Tonya Pike … Continue reading Notes from the road
Wrink’s Market seeks to ‘recreate’ dad’s legacy
Terry Wrinkle, the son of the late Glenn Wrinkle of Wrink's Market in Lebanon, Mo., was interviewed by the Springfield (Mo.) News-Leader before the store reopens sometime next week as a deli, diner, florist and convenience store. "Route 66 was more than a highway across the country," said Terry Wrinkle, son of the store's longtime … Continue reading Wrink’s Market seeks to ‘recreate’ dad’s legacy
County gives grant for Route 66 garage sale
The finance committee of Logan County, Ill., awarded a $4,000 grant to the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County to help with next year's 37 Miles of Smiles, also known as the Route 66 garage sale, reported the Lincoln Courier. "It was really a remarkable first-time event," Ladd said. "Being that it was a … Continue reading County gives grant for Route 66 garage sale
Lady Bird’s mixed legacy for Route 66
I loathe to speak ill of the dead, except for the biggest scoundrels. Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of President Lyndon Johnson who died at age 94 on Wednesday, certainly wasn't a scoundrel. But the Highway Beautification Act of 1965, which restricted billboards along our nation's highways, proved to be damaging to Route 66 businesses … Continue reading Lady Bird’s mixed legacy for Route 66