The landmark Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois, closed Sunday after the effects of the coronavirus pandemic left its management "no choice" but to shut down. The restaurant's Facebook page made the announcement on Facebook on Sunday afternoon. It stated, in part: Looking ahead, our current management team and staff have plans to move on … Continue reading Effects of COVID-19 close Palms Grill Cafe indefinitely
Tag: Atlanta IL
Chubby’s Bar and Grill in Atlanta is up for sale
The historic Chubby's Bar and Grill in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, is up for sale because its owners wish to retire. The bar at 111 Southeast Vine St., also described as being on 111 Southwest Arch St. (aka Route 66), lists for $79,900. The price has been reduced several times, and acquiring a working restaurant and … Continue reading Chubby’s Bar and Grill in Atlanta is up for sale
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
Paul Bunyon statue in Atlanta gets a new coat of paint
The oft-photographed Paul Bunyon fiberglass statue in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, received a touch-up last Saturday from the Illinois Route 66 Association’s Preservation Committee. According to The New Herald News, about 10 volunteers repainted the 19-foot-tall statue, also called Tall Paul. By 10:30 a.m. the scaffolding was in place and the preservation was underway. Everyone had a … Continue reading Paul Bunyon statue in Atlanta gets a new coat of paint
Atlanta levies six-figure fines against ordinance violators
Atlanta, Illinois -- citing its wish to keep its town attractive to Route 66 tourists -- has levied fines totaling over $100,000 each to two property owners it says violated ordinances. The Bloomington Pantagraph reported Mark Armstrong of Choctaw, Oklahoma, is dealing with a total of $112,500 in fines for his alleged failure to repair a building at 205 … Continue reading Atlanta levies six-figure fines against ordinance violators
“How to Make Your Community a Route 66 Destination Hot Spot”
By Emily Priddy Pontiac, Illinois, was struggling in 2008. The nearby Vermilion River overflowed its banks in January. A local prison closed. And the country had fallen into a recession. A year later, about 150 muralists known as the Walldogs gave the community a much-needed boost, Pontiac tourism director Ellie Alexander said during a panel … Continue reading “How to Make Your Community a Route 66 Destination Hot Spot”
“Route 66 in Illinois”
The "Route 66 in Illinois" presentation by Joe Sonderman and Cheryl Eichar Jett -- who co-wrote a book by the same name -- during the Miles of Possibility conference in Edwardsville, Illinois, contained a few tidbits of information even veteran roadies might not have known, such as: An explosion in 1942 at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant … Continue reading “Route 66 in Illinois”
Retro arcade opens in Williams
If you live in the western half of the United States and have an urge an old-school video game such as Galaxia, you're in luck -- an arcade that specializes in retro games has opened along Route 66 in Williams, Arizona. Andrew Hughes and Maxwell Williams opened D-Pad Retro Gaming at 117 W. Route 66, … Continue reading Retro arcade opens in Williams
Test your ability to Hit the Road
The folks in Atlanta, Illinois, unveiled a deceptively simple but unusual new attraction in their Route 66 town -- a Hit the Road game modeled after an old strongman contest commonly seen at county fairs many years ago. The Hit the Road game is next to the Bunyon Statue in downtown Atlanta. More details: The … Continue reading Test your ability to Hit the Road
Palms Grill Cafe honored by Illinois Tourism
The historic Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois, has been given an “Enjoy Illinois: Delicious Destination” award from the Illinois Office of Tourism, it was announced Monday. According to a news release from Illinois Tourism and Logan County Tourism: “From family-owned restaurants with long and storied histories to the hottest new cuisines in the world, … Continue reading Palms Grill Cafe honored by Illinois Tourism