Kearney Street project in Springfield being watched closely

A plan to declare the Kearney Street corridor in Springfield, Missouri, as a blighted area and redevelop it using tax breaks and low-interest loans is attracting a lot of attention from retailers, bankers and bankers. Kearney Street remains a prominent Route 66 alignment once known as a car-cruising Mecca during the 1970s and ’80s -- … Continue reading Kearney Street project in Springfield being watched closely

Route 66 Motorheads bar offered sales-tax rebate for being annexed

Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill and Museum may receive up to a $25,000 sales-tax rebate in exchange for being annexed into the city of Springfield, Illinois. The bar part of the business, which opened Friday, will open its restaurant next month. Route 66 Motorheads sits at 600 Toronto Road and would use the rebate money to … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads bar offered sales-tax rebate for being annexed

Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill will open in March

Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield, Illinois, which contains memorabilia from Route 66 sites in central Illinois, is slated to open in March. The Springfield State Journal-Register reported the former Stuckey's restaurant on Toronto Road on the west side of Interstate 55 will open its bar and gaming room in mid-March, its grill … Continue reading Route 66 Motorheads Bar and Grill will open in March

Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas

The Cozy Dog Drive-In in Springfield, Illinois, is famous for its Cozy Dog, reputedly the forerunner of the modern-day corn dog. Now it is selling four flavors of soda in bottles featuring the Cozy Dog logo. It offers cola, diet cola, root beer and diet root beer. The restaurant announced the new offerings on its … Continue reading Cozy Dog Drive-In offering its own sodas

Reporter who often covered Illinois Route 66 news dies

Tim Landis, the longtime business editor of The State Journal-Register in Springfield, Illinois, who often covered Route 66 news in the state, died unexpectedly Tuesday at his home in Chatham, Illinois. He was 66. Landis exercised regularly and had no known health issues at the time of his death, the newspaper reported. He apparently died … Continue reading Reporter who often covered Illinois Route 66 news dies

Site of Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum back up for sale

The site of the Shea's Route 66 Gas Station Museum in Springfield, Illinois, is back up for sale, but the owner still is considering acquiring a business partner to help keep its Route 66 look. Tim Landis, business editor of the Springfield State Journal-Register, reported on the change in his weekly column: Owner Randy Pickett … Continue reading Site of Shea’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum back up for sale

Jubelt’s in Litchfield to mark 95 years this weekend

Jubelt's Bakery and Restaurant along old Route 66 in Litchfield, Illinois, will mark its 95th year with giveaways and specials this weekend. According to The Journal-News: Jubelt’s will be giving away 95 prizes over three days and offering $.95 price specials on certain bakery and restaurant items. The weekend festivities also include a free pumpkin … Continue reading Jubelt’s in Litchfield to mark 95 years this weekend

Illinois governor to lead motorcycle ride on Route 66 from Chicago area to Springfield

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner will lead his annual Governor's Ride to Springfield of motorcycles on Sept. 23, this time on Route 66 from Chicagoland, The DuKane and Lincoln Land A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois chapters are the official escorts for the ride, according to news release from the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway. The ride's finish Sept. … Continue reading Illinois governor to lead motorcycle ride on Route 66 from Chicago area to Springfield

Springfield’s north side inches closer to TIF district

The city of Springfield, Illinois, seems more likely to implement at tax-increment financing district on its declining north side -- which features a prominent alignment of Route 66 -- after a hearing on the matter last week. TIF districts are where taxes from rising property-tax values are used to pay part of renovation costs or infrastructure improvements. … Continue reading Springfield’s north side inches closer to TIF district

Shea’s Route 66 Museum returning as Route 66-themed auto-repair shop

Shea's Route 66 Museum in Springfield, Illinois, which closed and its contents auctioned after the death of its longtime owner in 2013, will reopen this summer as a Route 66-themed auto-repair business. Local classic-car aficionados Randy Pickett and Jake Niewold plan to convert the vacant building to an auto-repair and maintenance shop with a Route 66 … Continue reading Shea’s Route 66 Museum returning as Route 66-themed auto-repair shop