The Sprague Super Service station along Route 66 in Normal. Illinois, probably will open to travelers in May, a few weeks later than originally anticipated. The reason for the delay is because work still is being done. The Bloomington Pantagraph reports: Normal's Historic Preservation Commission approved three steps Tuesday to improve the exterior: tuck-pointed bricks on … Continue reading Sprague Super Service station likely will open in May
Tropics sign in Lincoln may be erected near original site by next year
A local tourism bureau and a committee overseeing the restoration of The Tropics neon sign that once stood near Route 66 in Lincoln, Illinois, plan to erect the sign in the parking lot of a McDonald's that will replace the original Tropics restaurant. The proposal was presented during a meeting of the Lincoln City Council. According to … Continue reading Tropics sign in Lincoln may be erected near original site by next year
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
Coates Cyclery in Pomona to close after 83 years
The Coates Cyclery bicycle shop in Pomona, California, will close at the end of February after a staggering 83 years in business. The shop, at 760 E. Foothill Blvd. (Route 66), features a distinctive freestanding neon sign that was erected in the 1950s or '60s. Corey McCroskey, who bought the shop 15 years ago, told the Inland … Continue reading Coates Cyclery in Pomona to close after 83 years
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
R.I.P., Al Jarreau
Word came over Sunday afternoon that Grammy-winning singer Al Jarreau, whose vocal talents in jazz, R&B and pop were as treasured in the music industry as his excellent record sales, died in Los Angeles. Jarreau was 76. He was hospitalized and abruptly retired two weeks ago because of apparent health problems. Because of his jazz chops, I figured … Continue reading R.I.P., Al Jarreau
Trump policies may reduce Route 66 tourism by foreign travelers
A troubling sign has emerged that President Donald Trump's policies may reduce visits to the United States by foreigners -- a significant segment of Route 66 tourism. Hopper, a mobile application that analyzes billions of pieces of airfare data around the globe daily reports flight-search demand from international countries has fallen 17 percent overall since Trump's inauguration and his seven-nation … Continue reading Trump policies may reduce Route 66 tourism by foreign travelers
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
Springfield residents weigh in on improving Kearney Street
A few weeks ago, residents of Springfield, Missouri, filled out a survey in which the city asked what sort of improvements they wanted along the long-neglected Kearney Street corridor. Kearney Street was a part of Route 66 and for many years was considered the "cruising capital of the world." St. Louis-based PGAV recently presented the … Continue reading Springfield residents weigh in on improving Kearney Street
Sun ‘n Sand Motel may reopen later this year
The closed Sun 'n Sand Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico -- best known for its huge, orange neon sign -- has a new owner who hopes to reopen the Route 66 establishment sometime in 2017. The Feb. 2 print edition of The Communicator newspaper, based in Santa Rosa, reports the new owner is Dipak Shah of Kadam … Continue reading Sun ‘n Sand Motel may reopen later this year