Producers from the BBC show "The Hairy Bikers" are scouting for locations along Route 66 for a six-part series about the Mother Road. The Launching Pad restaurant's Facebook page stated last week: TV producers from the BBC stopped by to see us today at the Launching Pad. They are scoping locations for a long-standing popular … Continue reading BBC’s “Hairy Bikers” show doing a series about Route 66
Tag: Launching Pad
A lot going on with Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival
Towns along a 90-mile stretch of Route 66 in northern Illinois offer a lot during Saturday's Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor Festival, but Wilmington's seems especially enticing. Not only does that city's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie offer the chance of seeing the famous Smokey Bear hot-air balloon and newborn bison, but the new owners of … Continue reading A lot going on with Illinois Route 66 Red Carpet Corridor festival
Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
The couple that recently purchased the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, said they likely would partly reopen the Route 66 restaurant in May, with a full reopening sometime in 2019. The restaurant is most famous for its one-of-a-kind 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. Holly Barker and Tully Garrett, who bought the Launching Pad … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In may partially reopen in May
Launching Pad’s new owners launch crowdfunding site
The new owners of the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, hadn't planned it initially, but this week they launched a crowdfunding site to help reopen the Route 66 restaurant faster. According to the CBS-TV affiliate in Chicago: New co-owner Holly Barker said the GoFundMe page launched Monday because the Wilmington community was anxious to see the … Continue reading Launching Pad’s new owners launch crowdfunding site
Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners
On Tuesday, Tully Garrett and Holly Barker officially bought the long-closed Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois, and its iconic Gemini Giant fiberglass statue. On Friday, the couple will be introduced as the Route 66 restaurant's new owners during a news conference at 9:30 a.m. at the Route 66 Miles of Possibility event in Joliet, … Continue reading Miles of Possibility news conference to introduce Launching Pad Drive-In’s new owners
Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
The Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its Gemini Giant fiberglass giant on a corner of the property -- has new owners who plan to reopen the Route 66 landmark in the late spring. The Free Press Newspapers reported Tully Garrett and Holly Barker will take possession Oct. 16 of the property, … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In lands new owners
Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
While tourists continue to visit the Gemini Giant in Wilmington, Illinois, despite the closing of the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in 2013, one new twist recently emerged -- visitors slapping stickers on the iconic fiberglass figure. According to the Daily Journal, Wilmington Mayor Roy Strong and some residents don't have a problem with tourists affixing … Continue reading Tourists affix dozens of stickers on Gemini Giant of Wilmington
Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
The Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois -- best-known for its 30-foot-tall Gemini Giant fiberglass statue next to Route 66 -- failed to sell during an auction Saturday because the reserve wasn't met. The Will County News reported Tina and Joel Brownlee of Wilmington, who submitted the high bid of $177,500, will negotiate with auctioneer … Continue reading Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction
Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned
The future of the Gemini Giant on Route 66 in Wilmington, Illinois, is a lot cloudier after it was announced it and its restaurant will be sold at auction in April. James Bednar of Bednar Auction Service told the Kankakee Daily Journal the unique, 30-foot-tall fiberglass giant and the long-closed Launching Pad restaurant will be sold in one … Continue reading Gemini Giant, Launching Pad restaurant to be auctioned
Will Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket supplant the Launching Pad?
Here's an interesting rumor that started the morning. A part of the report by WJOL radio in Will County, Ill.: The possibility calls for a new Dell Rhea's Chicken to go where the cuurrnt Launching Pad restaurant is located. The only sidetrack for some Route 66 lovers is the possibilty that the big green Gemini … Continue reading Will Dell Rhea’s Chicken Basket supplant the Launching Pad?