Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

The first Buc-ee's store on Route 66 reportedly is set to open late this year in Springfield, Missouri. Another Buc-ee's site in Amarillo, Texas, will break ground on Oct. 26. The Springfield News-Leader reports the Buc-ee's on the northeast side of the city is holding a mass hiring event this week. The company expects to … Continue reading Buc-ee’s store may open in Springfield later this year; Amarillo site to break ground this month

Slug Bug Ranch will move to a different location by January

The whimsical Slug Bug Ranch near Conway, Texas, will pick up and move to a new location shortly after New Year's Day, its owner said in a phone interview. Slug Bug Ranch, which was inspired by the internationally famous Cadillac Ranch 35 miles to the west in Amarillo, is a site where five vintage Volkswagen … Continue reading Slug Bug Ranch will move to a different location by January

City of Tulsa now offering facade matching grants for historic buildings along Route 66

The City of Tulsa announced it is offering matching grants of up to $40,000 to help restore the facades of historic buildings along its Route 66 alignments. The grant program was established with the help of the Tulsa Route 66 Commission. The announcement was made at the historic Circle Cinema, which undoubtedly would be eligible … Continue reading City of Tulsa now offering facade matching grants for historic buildings along Route 66

Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M

The Downtown Joplin Alliance in Joplin, Missouri, this month will ask for redevelopment proposals for the city's long-closed Union Depot and assess them in February. A consultant estimated the cost of restoring the century-old site would be $6.7 million, though others have estimated it as high as $10 million. Among the ideas for the depot … Continue reading Consultant estimates the cost of redeveloping Joplin’s Union Depot at $6.7M

Angel Delgadillo chosen as an Arizona Historymaker for 2023

Angel Delgadillo, the Seligman, Arizona, barber who shepherded the creation of the Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona in 1987 and the designation of that state's Route 66 as a historic highway, will be honored Saturday as an Arizona Historymaker. The Arizona Historymakers Turquoise & Treasures Celebration will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., … Continue reading Angel Delgadillo chosen as an Arizona Historymaker for 2023

City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint

The town council of Normal, Illinois, recently voted to spend $300,000 on work on three historic properties in the city, including the Sprague's Super Service Station along Route 66, reported the Bloomington Pantagraph. The station's previous owner, Terri Ryburn, told Route 66 News the work will include removing the 1960s one-bay garage and restoring the … Continue reading City of Normal to return Sprague’s Super Service Station to its original footprint

Preorders now being taken for “Backroads Guide to Route 66 Food, Lodging and Foto-Stops”

Mark Hamilton announced last week he now is taking preorders for the "Backroads Guide to Route 66 Food, Lodging and Foto-Stops," which serves as a successor of the National Historic Route 66 Federation's defunct "Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide." The link to preorder the book through PayPal is here. The cost will be $22.95, … Continue reading Preorders now being taken for “Backroads Guide to Route 66 Food, Lodging and Foto-Stops”

Moxy Hotel opening in February in 1930 Medical Arts Building in downtown Springfield

A new hotel called The Moxy will open in February in downtown Springfield, Missouri, in the Medical Arts Building that was built in 1930. According to the Springfield Daily Citizen, the hotel at 430 South Ave. is a partnership between O’Reilly Hospitality Management and Marriott International, Inc. The eight-story boutique hotel will offer 98 rooms, … Continue reading Moxy Hotel opening in February in 1930 Medical Arts Building in downtown Springfield

World’s largest flip-flop planned at forthcoming shop in San Jon

Operators of a forthcoming flip-flop-themed gift shop in the village of San Jon, New Mexico, are planning something big -- namely, a 40-foot-long flip-flop designed to draw visitors off Interstate 40 and adjacent Route 66. It's the brainchild of the husband-and-wife team of Jumah Culhane and Caryn Grzegorek, who plan to open the Fun-Key Junk … Continue reading World’s largest flip-flop planned at forthcoming shop in San Jon

TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week

TravelCenters of America will acquire Russell’s Travel Center along Route 66 near Endee, New Mexico, effective Oct. 11, though it will keep the Russell’s name and its museum for a few years. Russell's opened in 2010 on the ruins of the long-closed Longhorn II restaurant along Interstate 40 and a 1952-1980 alignment of Route 66. … Continue reading TravelCenters of America to close deal on Russell’s Travel Center next week