Maxine Scheske, 77, has opened The Old Bus Stop Coffee Shop along old Route 66 in what was an old bus depot in St. Clair, Mo., according to The Missourian of Washington, Mo.
The coffee shop, which doubles as an art gallery for works by locals, is open from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Scheske said she opened the vacant space because she wanted a place were residents could “just relax and hang out.”
As far as the building, Scheske said it was constructed in 1940 “and has quite a history of various usages.”
She believes the building originally was constructed to house a car dealership and adjoining garage, and it later became the St. Clair bus depot along the old historic Route 66, which now is Commercial Avenue through parts of the city.
The building was purchased and turned into an auto parts store, and it remained that until about 1989. It then became Moe’s Pizza. It later was a Mexican restaurant and other cafes, Scheske said.
The Old Bus Stop Coffee Shop is at 545 N. Commercial Ave. (map here).
As being active in the Old Bus Stop Coffee Shop and Art Gallery as one of the artist, I find it refreshing that so many people still follow the Route 66 road in search of history or just a snippet of nostalgia.
I for one, traveled extensively in my youth back and forth to Richland, Missouri via Route 66. I still remember some of the stops.
One Thanksgiving in about 1946 my family took off to visit my grandparents in Richland and to also butcher hogs. This was a ritual since it was cold. Our car broke down in Rolla at an old hotel and resturant. We really did not look like we belonged as we were dressed for the country but we had to wait until my grandfather could come and tow us all the way to our destination.
What was nice was we were very well accepted and while we waited we had a quiet dinner with my mom and dad and sister. Our car needed some work that was done in Richland. My grandparents came and retrieved us saving us from a very cold trip home.
I don’t think the hotel is at this location any longer. Sometimes it is nice to revisit if you can. The nice thing about the Old Bus Stop Coffee Shop is that the building is still almost the same as it was in the 40’s, just dressed up a bit.