A long-awaited redevelopment of the landmark El Vado Motel in Albuquerque may begin by summer, and part of the property will reopen as a boutique motel by summer 2017. The Albuquerque Journal reports a $16 million, scaled-back plan for the long-closed Route 66 motel and a nearby piece of land recently was greenlighted by the … Continue reading El Vado Motel project may begin construction by summer
Category: Restaurants
Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue next to Route 66 -- failed to sell during an auction Saturday because the reserve wasn't met. The Will County News reported Tina and Joel Brownlee of Wilmington, who submitted the high bid of $177,500, will negotiate with auctioneer … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
City of Lincoln approves funds for The Mill restoration
The city council of Lincoln, Illinois, this week approved $12,000 in motel-tax funds to help finish restoring The Mill, a now-closed restaurant on Route 66 that eventually will become a museum. According to the Lincoln Courier, the Route 66 Heritage Foundation of Logan County plans to use the money for plumbing and sewer-line work. The money will go to … Continue reading City of Lincoln approves funds for The Mill restoration
Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Frances Edwards, the wife of longtime Pig Hip Restaurant owner Ernie Edwards, died March 1 at age 94 at St. Clara's Manor in Lincoln, Illinois. She helped her second husband, Ernie, at his landmark Pig Hip in Broadwell, Illinois, for about 30 years until the restaurant closed in 1991 after 54 years in business along Route … Continue reading Wife of Pig Hip Restaurant owner dies
Midpoint Cafe helps replace child’s lost teddy bear
The owner of the Midpoint Cafe in Adrian, Texas, helped a British couple replace their child's rare Route 66 teddy bear after it became lost during on a plane earlier this month. The mother, Riane Martin of St. Helens, England, posted a message March 5 on Facebook: Bit of a long shot but does anyone work … Continue reading Midpoint Cafe helps replace child’s lost teddy bear
Land purchase allows a bigger Big Texan Steak Ranch
The purchase of 14 acres on the east side of Amarillo, Texas, will allow the building of a bigger Big Texan Steak Ranch that may open by November 2017. The purchase brings the total acreage owned the Big Texan west of the current restaurant site to about 150. The Amarillo Globe-News reported: Owners plan to use the space … Continue reading Land purchase allows a bigger Big Texan Steak Ranch
A chat with the owner of Lulu’s Beef
KC Keefer interviewed Don Greico Jr., the proprietor of Lulu's Beef, which has occupied the corner of Leavitt Street, Taylor Street and Odgen Avenue (aka Route 66) in Chicago for nearly 50 years. Keefer describes the restaurant as exuding "Chicago charm," and Greico reflects that as well. And if you're craving a Chicago-style hot dog, Lulu's … Continue reading A chat with the owner of Lulu’s Beef
Highway improvements won’t affect The Boundary
Last month, word that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation would improve Oklahoma Route 66 between Arcadia and Luther made the owner of The Boundary wonder whether his barbecue restaurant would have to be razed. He's probably resting easier after what was announced at an ODOT public hearing about the project Tuesday night at an Arcadia … Continue reading Highway improvements won’t affect The Boundary
Aubrey McClendon, owner of Pops, dies in car crash
Aubrey McClendon, best known as the former CEO of Chesapeake Energy Corp. but known to Route 66 fans as owner of the landmark Pops in Arcadia, Oklahoma, died in a fiery highway crash in Oklahoma City on Wednesday -- one day after he was federally indicted in an alleged bid-rigging scheme. He was 56. The Oklahoman … Continue reading Aubrey McClendon, owner of Pops, dies in car crash
New microbrewery opening in Springfield, Missouri
The Route 66 town of Springfield, Missouri, later this year will open its fourth microbrewery in a site that once was one of the region's big radio stations. Lost Signal Brewing Co. will open at 610 W. College St. (aka Route 66), reported the Springfield News-Leader. Named because the 3,200-square-foot building it will occupy was … Continue reading New microbrewery opening in Springfield, Missouri