Three inductees -- including a previously announced historic bar in Edwardsville -- were announced to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame during the Illinois Route 66 Association's Motor Tour last month. Detail on the inductees may be read here. Here's a brief overview of each: Hi-Way Cafe and Tavern, Edwardsville -- Sicilian immigrants Frank and … Continue reading 2014 inductees to Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame announced
Category: Businesses
Fire destroys Commerce antiques business
The Route 66 Treasure Chest antique store in downtown Commerce, Oklahoma, was destroyed by fire on the Fourth of July, reported KODE-TV in nearby Joplin, Missouri. It took about two hours Friday night to bring the fire under control. The business was at 501 Commerce St., which is old Route 66 through town. According to … Continue reading Fire destroys Commerce antiques business
A history of Bama Pies
If you drive through Route 66 in Tulsa, you'll probably notice a big beige building on the north side of 11th Street with the name Bama Pies. It is part of The Bama Companies. This well-produced video by the company shows how it expanded from its mom-and-pop roots to becoming a multinational corporation. Even if … Continue reading A history of Bama Pies
Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari opens next week
The long-planned Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, will open Tuesday, and it already has weddings booked, reported the Quay County Sun newspaper. The chapel will be in the Mother Road Old Time Photos business, run by Leigh and Rhys Williams, at 824 E. Route 66 across the road from the historic Blue … Continue reading Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari opens next week
Amarillo bar may set record for most beers on tap
In a large but nondescript-looking building on Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas, is a sports bar that's only a dozen or so brews away from apparently breaking a national record for offering the most draft beers on tap. The I Don't Know Sports Bar and Grill, also known as IDK, is housed in a 1928 … Continue reading Amarillo bar may set record for most beers on tap
New Mexico continues to snub Tucumcari for a racetrack license
The Quay County Sun newspaper last week published a well-researched story that speculates why the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, hasn't been awarded a license from the state to build a horse-racing track and casino, despite a license being available for more than a year. The proposed Coronado Park racino in Tucumcari calls for … Continue reading New Mexico continues to snub Tucumcari for a racetrack license
Route 66 theme sparks increase in customers at restaurant
File this away under Mr. Obvious. But it's good to see what a Route 66 theme can do for a business, all other things being equal. A longtime restaurant in downtown Joliet, Illinois, has seen a sizable increase in the number of customers since changing to changing its name from the Joliet Restaurant to Joliet Route 66 Diner two … Continue reading Route 66 theme sparks increase in customers at restaurant
Goodwill store in Tulsa erects Route 66-themed sign
The headquarters of Goodwill Industries of Tulsa has operated on Route 66 in southwest Tulsa for years. Yet it's invigorating to see a retro and Route 66-inspired sign go up at its new retail store in that area. Afton Station co-owner Laurel Kane posted a photo of the new sign on her blog. The front … Continue reading Goodwill store in Tulsa erects Route 66-themed sign
Hi-Way Tavern being revived at old Edwardsville location
The Hi-Way Tavern and Cafe, which began on Route 66 in Edwardsville, Ill., in 1934, will be revived at its old site in a tavern and eventually will serve food again, reported the Edwardsville Intelligencer. The building at 463 E. Vandalia was occupied by Neumann's Bar and Restaurant for 25 years. However, the newly reverted … Continue reading Hi-Way Tavern being revived at old Edwardsville location
East St. Louis bank building added to National Register
The Union Trust Bank Co. building in downtown East St. Louis, Illinois, recently was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The well-preserved structure at 200 Collinsville Ave. (map here) was listed May 27, according to an email last week from the National Park Service, which runs the National Register. The building was on … Continue reading East St. Louis bank building added to National Register