A toy and candy shop in Berwyn, Ill., exists because of the inspiration Route 66 gave to owner Tracy Balnis, according to a news release from the Berwyn Development Corp. Rissi's Old Time Candy & Toys, located on 6834 W. Windsor Ave. in Berwyn's Depot District less than a half-mile north of Ogden (Route 66), … Continue reading New Berwyn business inspired by Route 66 trip
Category: Restaurants
Oatman Hotel is in the money
This video, shot over the Fourth of July holiday, shows all of the dollar bills affixed to the walls, ceilings, and whatever else is available at the Oatman Hotel in Oatman, Ariz. According to the videographer, the total count of the bills was 62,000 about three years ago. There's little reason to doubt that: https://youtu.be/Yj507i5DnRI?t=13s … Continue reading Oatman Hotel is in the money
Huge kerosene tank removed in front of El Garces
A previously unknown 20,000-gallon underground tank containing kerosene was dug up and removed from a park directly in front of the El Garces Hotel in Needles, Calif., a few days ago, reported the Mohave Daily News. Needles public works director Marc Richards explained how the tank was discovered: Richards said the tank was discovered while crew … Continue reading Huge kerosene tank removed in front of El Garces
Joliet may balk at paying for repairs to Rich & Creamy stand
Even though the historic Rich & Creamy ice cream stand in Joliet, Ill., reportedly has a good business -- including Route 66 travelers from all over the globe -- the city manager is wary of the city paying for a new roof, said The Herald-News in Joliet. The City of Joliet bought the aging building about … Continue reading Joliet may balk at paying for repairs to Rich & Creamy stand
Birthday wishes, 2013
For the second straight year, here are Independence Day well-wishes to the United States from well-traveled customers at the Historic Seligman Sundries coffeehouse on Route 66 in Seligman, Ariz. https://youtu.be/bXRwbePnMN8 Seligman Sundries co-owner Frank Kocevar says the footage was shot during a one-week period. It’s another example of how much Route 66 fascinates foreign travelers.
The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Mark Brown at This Land Press wrote a long piece about the history and amazing consistency of Tulsa's first Mexican restaurant, El Rancho Grande, which still serves customers on 11th Street (aka Route 66) more than 60 years after it opened. The whole thing is worth reading, but here are a few nuggets from it: … Continue reading The story of Tulsa’s El Rancho Grande restaurant
Watch the Route 66 edition of “What Would You Do?”
The Route 66 edition of ABC News' reality program "What Would You Do?" aired Friday night. But if you missed it, you can watch it on Hulu here: The network also provided some online outtakes from the Route 66 trip, including the film crew's pit stops: Unfortunately your browser does not support IFrames. And the … Continue reading Watch the Route 66 edition of “What Would You Do?”
Irv’s Burgers will stick around for a while
The Hong family that operates the historic Irv's Burgers stand in West Hollywood, Calif., will not be forced out by eviction and can stay there until it finds another site, reported an officer for the West Hollywood Preservation Alliance. Roy Rogers Oldenkamp, vice president of the preservation group, said in an email that Steven Bohbot, a … Continue reading Irv’s Burgers will stick around for a while
Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery
The old Wagon Wheel Lodge east of Williams, Ariz., on Route 66 is being transformed into the Wagon Wheel Winery by its new owners, reported the Grand Canyon News. More details from the newspaper about the 10-acre property at 7545 E. Old Route 66: Ann and Louie Serna planted about 1,200 grapevines on the property … Continue reading Historic Williams lodge being converted into a winery
Longtime Barney’s Beanery owner dies
Irwin Held, 87, who owned the Route 66 landmark restaurant Barney's Beanery in West Hollywood, Calif., for nearly 30 years, died of a kidney ailment Monday in his Los Angeles home, reported the Los Angeles Times. To hear Held's daughter Linda Shabot tell it, her father probably saved the restaurant from the wrecking ball when he … Continue reading Longtime Barney’s Beanery owner dies