Joplin 66 Hostel, which is catering to travelers along the Mother Road, opened a few weeks ago in Duenweg, Missouri, an eastern suburb of Joplin.
The hostel is located at 6863 Newman Road (map here), a short distance north of Business 44. It opened April 1. It’s the first hostel in the Joplin area.
Rates range from $15 a night for camping, with a shower and breakfast, to $25 a night for a private room with a bed, shower and breakfast.
Pastor Larry Bjorklund of Abundant Life Christian Center told the Joplin Globe the hostel is a transformation of a bunch of trailers on what was called Volunteer Village. The trailers were used to house volunteers who were pitching in for the region after the infamous May 2011 tornado.
Bjorklund said he researched hostels before opening Joplin 66 Hostel. The inexpensive alternative to hotels is popular in Europe, especially among younger travelers such as college students. People often sleep in bunk beds in dorm-style rooms and share bathrooms. […]
Bjorklund said his site isn’t affiliated with any hostel organization. He said the community aspect of the hostel is important, especially for solo travelers like bicyclists on Route 66.
“People come, and they start to fellowship,” he said.
Bjorklund said he hopes traveling groups of bicyclists and motorcyclists will stay at the hostel.
Bjorklund said providing good hospitality at the Joplin 66 Hostel was a way to extend the church’s ministry to “love on people.”
Joplin 66 Hostel also is found on Facebook. It had this to say Tuesday about one of its first clients:
Good morning all. Our “First Family” will be leaving today. We sure have had a wonderful time serving them. I gave Christopher his first Origami book, and made him a “Route 66” bracelet to wear. They are a delightful family and It’s been great to get to know them. Millie says they will be back to stay with us again. They are now the beginning of “The Joplin 66 Hostel” family and we will always have them in our hearts. Remember…you come as a guest…but you leave as family.
UPDATE 6/10/2016: This video about the hostel recently was created:
https://youtu.be/O9gzN6H45dM
(Image of one of the rooms at Joplin 66 Hostel via Facebook)