Art’s Motel in Farmersville reopens

Art's Motel of Farmersville, Illinois, best-known for distinctive sign that was restored by volunteers a decade ago, recently reopened after a six-year hiatus. The Prairie Land Buzz, a publication from a four-county area in Illinois near St. Louis, reported in its February issue the old Route 66 motel had been purchased by Kris Jain and reopened. "A … Continue reading Art’s Motel in Farmersville reopens

Route 66 episode of “Bizarre Foods” airs Feb. 21

A few weeks ago, Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel show "Bizarre Foods," announced a Route 66 episode was in the hopper for the program's new season. We now know when it first will air: 9 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday, Feb. 21. Here is the synopsis of the episode, titled "Road Tripping Route 66": … Continue reading Route 66 episode of “Bizarre Foods” airs Feb. 21

Tips for Route 66 tourism success

The Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat published a comprehensive report about two experts giving a presentation in Gillespie, Illinois, about how to parlay Route 66 into tourism dollars. The experts were Bill Kelly, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, and Bill Thomas, economic development director for Logan County, tourism booster for Atlanta, Illinois, and chairman … Continue reading Tips for Route 66 tourism success

Tulsa flower shop still going after 82 years

A flower shop along Route 66 in Tulsa has operated there since 1935, and apparently it will for at least a while longer. Burnett's Flowers and Gifts at 4322 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) recently changed hands, and the new owner thinks he's found a new way to sell flowers and keep the business … Continue reading Tulsa flower shop still going after 82 years

Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” to feature Route 66 episode

Andrew Zimmern, host of the Travel Channel show "Bizarre Foods," said the show has produced a Route 66 episode for its ninth season. The new season of "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern" began Tuesday night, but that was with the "Lewis and Clark Trail" episode. But Zimmern gave this news about the upcoming season on … Continue reading Travel Channel’s “Bizarre Foods” to feature Route 66 episode

‘The Founder’ movie tells story about the rise of McDonald’s

"The Founder" movie, which details the rise of longtime McDonald's restaurant magnate Ray Kroc, opens in U.S. theaters today. Oscar-nominated actor Michael Keaton stars in the film, who appears to put his intense, charismatic and fast-talking style to good use. Here's the trailer for "The Founder": https://youtu.be/N1adu1VkU_w The film earns an 80 percent "fresh" rating … Continue reading ‘The Founder’ movie tells story about the rise of McDonald’s

Bad news, good news for Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood

Fans of the historic Formosa Cafe along Route 66 in West Hollywood, California, have endured a mix of good news and bad news this month. The bad news is the restaurant, which dates to 1925 at 7156 Santa Monica Blvd., closed abruptly not long after New Year's Day. However, the Formosa building remains protected by … Continue reading Bad news, good news for Formosa Cafe in West Hollywood

Restaurant opens at site of long-forgotten miniature golf course

The owners of the Puttin'-A-Round in Miami, Oklahoma, hadn't planned to put a restaurant there, but as they began to tear down the former doors-and-windows store, they changed their plans for a mini-storage business. Larry and Sue Smith of nearby Picher, Oklahoma, told the Miami News Record they bought the property at 725 N. Main … Continue reading Restaurant opens at site of long-forgotten miniature golf course

Fire-damaged Parkview Pub in Bloomington may reopen by summer

  Parkview Food & Pub, better known as the Parkview Inn, in Bloomington, Illinois, may reopen by summer after a fire in October virtually destroyed the historic establishment. Owner Rich McCormick told the Bloomington Panatagraph he's taking the opportunity with the rebuilding process to make some changes so its customers will face Miller Park across the … Continue reading Fire-damaged Parkview Pub in Bloomington may reopen by summer

Central Avenue businesses report 30 percent drop from ART construction

Construction on the Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus project began on Central Avenue in earnest a few weeks ago, and the results are not pretty -- several businesses are reporting as much as a 30 percent drop in revenue. KOAT-TV cited the 30-percent figure during a recent story about the project along the city's Route 66 corridor. Gabriel … Continue reading Central Avenue businesses report 30 percent drop from ART construction