Galena businesses love downtown’s new look

A few weeks ago, we showed a photo of the new streetscaping and resurfacing of downtown Route 66 in Galena, Kan.

The Joplin Globe in nearby Joplin, Mo., wrote a follow-up story about the project. Apparently businesses are enthusiastic about the new look:

Mayor Dale Oglesby said that with Ortho Four-States investing in the town, the City Council wanted to step up and do its part in making Galena presentable.

“It’s absolutely changed the perception of what you see downtown,” he said.

Oglesby said he’s seeing activity downtown that he hasn’t seen in years, including people going for walks along Main Street, sitting on the benches and talking, and meeting at the gazebo in Pappy Litch Park on Main Street. […]

Enthusiasm for restoring the downtown is spreading, according to Oglesby, who pointed out a 19th century building at Eighth and Main streets that new owners are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to restore. […]

Kathy and Danny Anderson are planning to open their Streetcar Station Coffee Shop at 515 S. Main St. within a month. Kathy Anderson said they had always planned to open a business in Galena after they both retired, but their opening has been influenced by the timing of the streetscape project.

“It’s better than I could have ever imagined,” she said of the work.

The shop will feature a variety of coffee drinks, plus cupcakes, muffins and other desserts. The owners hope to attract Route 66 tourists from Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

(Photo courtesy of Renee Charles)

One thought on “Galena businesses love downtown’s new look

  1. Must have missed the original post—wow, it looks so GREAT! Can’t wait to get back and see it in person! Glad to hear that people are responding so wonderfully, too!

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