Closed Firestone shop in downtown Albuquerque to become a microbrewery site

A closed Firestone service station in downtown Albuquerque that dated to the early 1930s will become the future site of an Ex Novo Brewing Co. taproom this fall. Albuquerque-based Geltmore LLC, Ex Novo and a group of local investors on Thursday completed the purchase of the Firestone on Seventh Street and Central Avenue (aka Route … Continue reading Closed Firestone shop in downtown Albuquerque to become a microbrewery site

Pink Elephant Antique Mall plans changes, including converting Futuro UFO to Airbnb

The new owners of the Pink Elephant Antique Mall along Route 66 in Livingston, Illinois, plan a number of changes, including converting the Future UFO into an overnight Airbnb site. Roy Wayne Pickerell announced on Facebook he and Tonia recently closed on their deal with previous owners Dave and Bernice Hammond to purchase the mall. … Continue reading Pink Elephant Antique Mall plans changes, including converting Futuro UFO to Airbnb

Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot

It's a business, but the McLean Depot Train Shop, housed in the former rail depot in McLean, Illinois, also serves as a passion for model train enthusiasts. The Pantagraph newspaper in nearby Bloomington recently published a feature about the train shop and the people who keep it going. Tom Ludlam owns the shop along Route … Continue reading Toy enthusiasts fuel the McLean Depot Train Shop in the town’s former depot

Owners of Shout & Sack convenience store in Vinita to retire at the end of the month

Chris and Jody Carter, owners of their Shout & Sack convenience store along Route 66 in Vinita, Oklahoma, since 1978, said they're going to retire at the end of January. Chris Carter, 72, told the Cherokee Phoenix they recently sold the property at 305 S. Wilson St. (aka Route 66) “We’ve seen a lot of … Continue reading Owners of Shout & Sack convenience store in Vinita to retire at the end of the month

Landmark hardware store in downtown Joplin to close later this month

The Pearl Brothers Hardware Store in downtown Joplin, Missouri, will close for good on Jan. 28 after 117 years. However, the new owner says he'll keep the Pearl Brothers name as part of the building and nominate it to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the Joplin Globe. Harold Berger, who's been part … Continue reading Landmark hardware store in downtown Joplin to close later this month

Two Albuquerque Route 66 businesses receive Awards of Excellence

Two Albuquerque businesses with strong Route 66 roots recently received Awards of Excellence from the New Mexico chapter of the NAIOP. In the hospitality division, M'Tucci's Bar Roma at 3222 Centra Ave. (aka Route 66) won an award. The reason for the honor: This 14,340-square-foot location consists of two buildings: the main building is the … Continue reading Two Albuquerque Route 66 businesses receive Awards of Excellence

Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC

The popular Classen Grill eventually will reopen as the historic Donnay Building in Oklahoma City undergoes extensive and long-needed renovations. Steve Lackmeyer's recent article in The Oklahoman newspaper provides a lot of details about what is happening to the Donnay, which for a short time was endangered by a proposed Braum's ice cream parlor development. … Continue reading Classen Grill will reopen amid extensive renovations of Donnay Building in OKC

Gearhead Curios in Galena to hold official ribbon-cutting on June 17

Mark your calendars. Gearhead Curios of Galena, Kansas, will hold an official ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m. June 17 to celebrate several years of work on the former Texaco station. "It will have been almost 5 years of renovations; we have been soft open since March of '22 but come June we will be ready ready … Continue reading Gearhead Curios in Galena to hold official ribbon-cutting on June 17

Frankoma Pottery Company store opens in Glenpool after long hiatus

Frankoma Pottery, a historic company with deep roots along Route 66 in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, held its grand opening Saturday in nearby Glenpool, Oklahoma, after years of uncertainty about whether a brick-and-mortar site for the company ever would be revived. According to the Tulsa World, several longtime Frankoma employees were scheduled to attend the event. The … Continue reading Frankoma Pottery Company store opens in Glenpool after long hiatus

Nearly century-old Krtek Building in Carthage destroyed by fire

A building that stood along Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri, for nearly a century was destroyed by fire over the weekend. The Krtek Building, built in 1927 at Grant Street and Central Avenue (aka Route 66), also was known Henson Metal Building Supply and Stanley Lumber Co. Google Street View captured an image of the … Continue reading Nearly century-old Krtek Building in Carthage destroyed by fire