The COVID-19 pandemic turned out to be the final nail in the coffin for the financially struggling Powers Museum along Route 66 in Carthage, Missouri. The museum opened in 1988, though it was offering programs several years before that. The museum's board members told the Joplin Globe the facility had only enough money left to … Continue reading COVID-19 causes permanent shutdown of Powers Museum in Carthage
Tag: Coronavirus
Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington reopens after long COVID-19 closure
The landmark Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, reopened this past weekend after a lengthy voluntary closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening occurred during the Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival, which essentially is a 90-minute car cruise along the route in the northern part of the state. Tully Garrett and Holly … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington reopens after long COVID-19 closure
White Fence Farm in Romeoville has lost $2.4 million since the pandemic began
The owner of the original White Fence Farm in Romeoville, Illinois, said the Route 66 restaurant has lost $2.4 million in 12 months since the pandemic began last year and still is trying to survive since it reopened in March. A reporter of the Lemont Patch interviewed third-generation owner Laura Hastert, who admitted she needs … Continue reading White Fence Farm in Romeoville has lost $2.4 million since the pandemic began
Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean reopens for the first time in a year
The Devil's Rope Museum in McLean, Texas, is back open to the public after being closed for a solid year because of COVID-19. That museum's reopening is another signal that the U.S. is slowly emerging from the pandemic. Vaccinations have reduced caseloads and hospitalizations in many states. KAMR-TV in nearby Amarillo reported: “We had just … Continue reading Devil’s Rope Museum in McLean reopens for the first time in a year
U.S. travel restrictions with foreign countries may begin to ease by mid-May
The Biden Administration may start relaxing U.S. COVID-19 travel restrictions with Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Europe and Brazil by the middle of May -- giving hope to foreign travelers they might be able to explore Route 66 by summer for the first time in more than a year. The CNBC report Thursday cited two sources … Continue reading U.S. travel restrictions with foreign countries may begin to ease by mid-May
COVID-19 pandemic cancels Arizona Route 66 Fun Run for a second straight year
The Historic Route 66 Association of Arizona announced its annual Fun Run car cruise, usually slated for early May, has been canceled for a second consecutive year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The association put out this message on its website: We want to start by thanking everyone for the overwhelming support. Like many of … Continue reading COVID-19 pandemic cancels Arizona Route 66 Fun Run for a second straight year
Should we sound a pessimistic note for summer tourism on Route 66 in 2021?
Though two COVID-19 vaccines have been rolling out in the United States and worldwide for several weeks, Route 66 business owners perhaps shouldn't be too high-flying in their optimism for a normal tourism season. Frank Gifford, a photographer and longtime explorer of the Mother Road, had a pessimistic take in "Life in the Time of … Continue reading Should we sound a pessimistic note for summer tourism on Route 66 in 2021?
Lease on historic Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta now available for applicants
The interior of the Palms Grill Cafe in 2014 The historic Palms Grill Cafe along Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, is available to lease for prospective restaurateurs. According to a news release Wednesday from the Atlanta Public Library, which owns the property: The Palms Grill Café is a turnkey operation. It is fully equipped … Continue reading Lease on historic Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta now available for applicants
Ann’s Chicken Fry House of Oklahoma City closes for good, citing COVID-19
Ann's Chicken Fry House restaurant of west Oklahoma City closed shortly after Christmas, blaming the financial hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic. OKCTalk.com revealed the restaurant's permanent closure in a tweet Friday: https://twitter.com/OKCTalk/status/1347560216179601414 One of the photos of a sign on the window stated: "Permanetly (sic) closed. Thank you OKC for a great run ... … Continue reading Ann’s Chicken Fry House of Oklahoma City closes for good, citing COVID-19
Shamrock cancels St. Patrick’s Day Celebration due to COVID-19
The annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration in Shamrock, Texas, has been canceled this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It's the first time in almost 70 years that's happened. The festival's board and steering committee voted Tuesday to cancel the event scheduled for March 18-21 and announced it would concentrate its energies on the … Continue reading Shamrock cancels St. Patrick’s Day Celebration due to COVID-19