Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa has set a 5 p.m. April 25 deadline to buy commemorative bricks for a soon-to-come neon sign at the store.
The bricks, which go for $66 each and can be personalized with a short message, can be purchased here.
The store also recently posted on Facebook what parts of the sign look like:
According to a news release about the initiative:
The personalized bricks will be located at the base of Tulsa’s next Route 66 roadside attraction, a new 20-foot neon sign currently in production. The sign, which was funded by the Tulsa Route 66 Commission and local donors, will be installed in the coming weeks. Commemorative bricks will help support installation and the store.
“Although we are struggling to survive the shutdown with many other businesses, my commitment to Route 66 is stronger than ever” said Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s. “Enthusiasts can become a permanent part of Route 66 history, while also helping a small business survive through these trying times.”
Commemorative bricks will surround the sign and the store’s existing 21-foot muffler man, Buck Atom, one of only 12 muffler men roadside attractions on Route 66. The sign was designed by Todd Sanders of Roadhouse Relics and is being fabricated by Encino Signs. A dedication celebration for the new sign has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are so grateful to the Tulsa Route 66 Commission and local donors for helping fund our new sign, and we are excited about broadening opportunities for Mother Road enthusiasts to be part of this effort,” Babcock added. “People are encouraged to promote their business, honor a family member, share a favorite quote or include a note of encouragement.”
The store made a big splash last spring when it commissioned and dedicated a new Muffler Man statue in the shape of a space cowboy, aka Buck Atom.
Babcock has made no bones about the fact her store, like many others on Route 66, is struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic. If buying a brick is too steep for your budget, you can support her by shopping at her online store.
(An artist’s rendering of the future neon sign at Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa)