Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood lands new owners, likely will reopen on Nov. 1

Two local restaurateurs and a local investor have acquired the historic Spencer's Grill in Kirkwood, Missouri, and they plan to reopen the Route 66 restaurant on Nov. 1. According to St. Louis Magazine, Michael and Meredith Shadwick, the owners of Kirkwood-based Honey Bee’s Biscuits + Good Eats and Tropical Moose Shaved Ice, along with Kirkwood resident Michael Kleckner, … Continue reading Spencer’s Grill in Kirkwood lands new owners, likely will reopen on Nov. 1

New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024

Route 66 enthusiast Mike Curtis, aka 2 Lane Traveler on YouTube, recently created a 20-minute video detailing the changes on the Mother Road from 2007 to 2024. The video thumbnail comes with a provocative question: "Thriving or dying?" (Spoiler alert: Definitely not dying; Curtis asserts the old road is simply changing.) https://youtu.be/qpNoshXr-bY?si=_dsqhgfTLccLQgKs The video is … Continue reading New video details the changes on Route 66 between 2007 and 2024

Gay Parita Station appears in a popular Chappell Roan music video

This debuted months ago, but a music video by fast-rising music artist Chappell Roan features Gay Parita Station and other landmarks in the Springfield, Missouri, region. Route 66 enthusiast Liz Cousins flagged the "Hot to Go" video a few days ago, which originally was flagged by the Gay Parita account on Facebook: https://youtu.be/xaPNR-_Cfn0?si=FPGoNq6af7XGYoZQ In addition … Continue reading Gay Parita Station appears in a popular Chappell Roan music video

Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21

A small but significant section of Route 66 in Wellston, Oklahoma, will be closed for about a year while a bridge is being replaced on the adjacent Turner Turnpike. The road closure will begin about Aug. 21, with detours onto county roads. Joe Echelle of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority during a recent meeting provided details … Continue reading Section of Route 66 in Wellston to be closed for about a year, starting about Aug. 21

30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield

A 30-foot-tall "Big Ron" fiberglass figure was added Thursday under the big Route 66 shield near the entrance to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex in Springfield, Illinois. The complex at 600 Toronto Road, in an old Stuckey's on an alignment of Route 66, already contains tons of Route 66 memorabilia … Continue reading 30-foot-tall “Big Ron” fiberglass statue added to Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill in Springfield

Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants

Four eateries along or near Route 66 will receive $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express. The primarily Route 66-based recipients, announced Monday, are: La Cita Restaurant, Tucumcari, New Mexico Doc's Just Off 66, Girard, Illinois La Paloma Mexican Restaurant, La Verne, California A lesser-known fourth … Continue reading Four eateries on or near Route 66 win $50,000 Backing Historic Small Restaurants grants

Owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville dies

Brian Gentry, the owner and operator of Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe along Route 66 in Victorville, California, has died. He was 58. According to a report in the Daily Press of Victorville, Gentry died peacefully on July 3. His life will be celebrated from 2 to 4 p.m. on Aug. 3, followed by a … Continue reading Owner and operator of Emma Jean’s Holland Burger Cafe in Victorville dies

City of Clinton finally has a plan for orphaned Glancy Motel sign

Months after the motel itself was demolished, the City of Clinton appears to have settled on a new plan for the Glancy Motel sign. According to the Friday print edition of the Clinton Daily News, a report from a city council meeting stated the Oklahoma Highway Patrol would move the sign to 2225 W. Gary … Continue reading City of Clinton finally has a plan for orphaned Glancy Motel sign

New neon sign erected along Route 66 at Teofilo’s Restaurante in Los Lunas

The landmark Teofilo's Restaurante in Los Lunas, New Mexico, recently added a neon sign that pays tribute to its Route 66 location and heritage. According to the Valencia County News-Bulletin, restaurant owner Johnnah Torres wanted something more eye-catching and durable than the previous wooden sign. When thinking about what to do, Torres said it dawned … Continue reading New neon sign erected along Route 66 at Teofilo’s Restaurante in Los Lunas

A look at the Rock Cafe in Stroud 20 years ago

Dawn Welch, owner of the historic Rock Cafe in Stroud, Oklahoma, flagged this video from 2004 created by Jack Frank. Welch said it was just six years into her ownership. My mother has passed and this may be the only video recorded of her helping at the cafe. She literally taught me how to cook … Continue reading A look at the Rock Cafe in Stroud 20 years ago