Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield

A Mexican restaurant called Lil Fiesta on Route 66 recently opened in the space that held Sonrise Donuts and its iconic sign for many years in Springfield, Illinois. Lil Fiesta on Route 66 opened Friday at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) in a space that also held another Mexican restaurant, for a few … Continue reading Mexican restaurant with Route 66 theme opens at the former site of Sonrise Donuts in Springfield

Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades

The long-dormant Sonrise Donuts sign that once stood along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, glowed to life Thursday for the first time in decades. Ace Sign Co. of Springfield restored the double-sided sign after the city purchased it in an online auction for $22,000 in December 2018. The signs sat on a rooftop at 1101 … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield glows to life for first time in decades

Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66

Business, county and city officials are seeking a better plan to market Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, after acknowledging other cities on the route "increased their game.” A lengthy story in the Springfield State Journal-Register states the city is trying to reposition itself to Route 66 travelers at the highway's centennial looms in 2026. According … Continue reading Springfield, Illinois, seeks better marketing plan for Route 66

Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned

The original Dew Chilli location in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned online after the regional restaurant chain closed it last year. Aumann Auctions, which sold the Sonrise Donut neon signs in December, is overseeing the sale. Online bids are being accepted for the building, property and kitchen equipment through 7 p.m. Wednesday. Here's what the … Continue reading Original Dew Chilli parlor in Springfield to be auctioned

Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored

The historic Sonrise Donuts signs that sat atop a building along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, for 70 years were removed from their perch Monday. But don't worry. The neon signs won't be going to the metal-shredding facility. The city of Springfield, which purchased the signs for $22,000 during an online auction in December, eventually … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts signs in Springfield come down, will be restored

Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism

The city of Springfield, Illinois, announced in the wake of its recent purchase of the Sonrise Donuts neon signs it is developing a larger tourism plan to draw more Route 66 travelers in the coming years. With an eye on Route 66's centennial in 2026, Springfield wants to develop a "hub" of Route 66 attractions into … Continue reading Springfield developing a larger plan for Route 66 tourism

City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign

The city of Springfield, Illinois, revealed itself Friday as the new owner of the historic Sonrise Donuts neon signs along Route 66 in Springfield that recently went up for auction. The even-better news is Ace Sign Co. of Springfield will restore one side of the sign at no cost, and a restoration fund was set … Continue reading City of Springfield buys both sides of Sonrise Donuts sign

Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield being auctioned

The nearly 70-year-old Sonrise Donuts neon sign along Route 66 in Springfield, Illinois, will be auctioned by tonight after the building's non-doughnuts tenant said he no longer wanted it there. The online auctions -- separately for both halves of the rooftop sign -- will end today at 7 p.m. Central. If you're interested, you can … Continue reading Sonrise Donuts neon sign in Springfield being auctioned

Mexican restaurant moves into Sonrise Donuts building

An authentic Mexican restaurant becomes the latest tenant to move into the building in Springfield, Illinois, that contains the historic Sonrise Donuts neon sign on its roof. Taqueria Moroleon opened in the building at 1101 S. Ninth St. (aka Route 66) that contains a horseshoe-shaped Formica counter and red counter stools, reported the State Journal-Register. The … Continue reading Mexican restaurant moves into Sonrise Donuts building