Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

The Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway this week announced the latest round of the Byway Project Funds program to provide financial assistance to byway members. Byway Project Funds are meant to support events, marketing and advertising efforts, and projects that help preserve the heritage of Illinois Route 66 and promote travel to Illinois Route 66 … Continue reading Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway announces $6,000 worth of grants

Missy’s Sweet Shoppe soon will open in Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta

The historic Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, soon will have a new tenant -- the Missy's Sweet Shoppe bakery. Missy Gaither is leasing the property from the owner, the Atlanta Public Library. She said in a phone interview she would open there in early June. "I was looking for a storefront, and it … Continue reading Missy’s Sweet Shoppe soon will open in Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta

“60 Minutes” airs its interview with famed sportswriter Dave Kindred at Palms Grill Cafe

CBS-TV's long-running "60 Minutes" news program aired its 13-minute feature about famed sportswriter Dave Kindred, where he was interviewed in the soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe in his hometown of Atlanta, Illinois. The Route 66 restaurant's exterior makes only a brief appearance, though much of the interview was conducted inside. Though it contains little Route 66 … Continue reading “60 Minutes” airs its interview with famed sportswriter Dave Kindred at Palms Grill Cafe

Soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe hosts upcoming “60 Minutes” interview

The Palms Grill Cafe in downtown Atlanta, Illinois, which is scheduled to reopen next month, hosted an interview for an upcoming 12-minute segment on CBS-TV's long-running and popular "60 Minutes" news show. The Bloomington Pantagraph broke the story about acclaimed Illinois sportswriter and Atlanta native Dave Kindred talking about his new book, "Leave Out the … Continue reading Soon-to-reopen Palms Grill Cafe hosts upcoming “60 Minutes” interview

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

Effects of COVID-19 close Palms Grill Cafe indefinitely

The landmark Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois, closed Sunday after the effects of the coronavirus pandemic left its management "no choice" but to shut down. The restaurant's Facebook page made the announcement on Facebook on Sunday afternoon. It stated, in part: Looking ahead, our current management team and staff have plans to move on … Continue reading Effects of COVID-19 close Palms Grill Cafe indefinitely

Tips for Route 66 tourism success

The Macoupin County Enquirer-Democrat published a comprehensive report about two experts giving a presentation in Gillespie, Illinois, about how to parlay Route 66 into tourism dollars. The experts were Bill Kelly, executive director of the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway, and Bill Thomas, economic development director for Logan County, tourism booster for Atlanta, Illinois, and chairman … Continue reading Tips for Route 66 tourism success

Palms Grill Cafe honored by Illinois Tourism

The historic Palms Grill Cafe in Atlanta, Illinois, has been given an “Enjoy Illinois: Delicious Destination” award from the Illinois Office of Tourism, it was announced Monday. According to a news release from Illinois Tourism and Logan County Tourism: “From family-owned restaurants with long and storied histories to the hottest new cuisines in the world, … Continue reading Palms Grill Cafe honored by Illinois Tourism

Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference

A few days ago, the World Monuments Fund uploaded this eight-minute video that summarizes the "Route 66: The Road Ahead" conference that took place in November at a hotel near Disney's Cars Land in California. You'll probably see a few familiar faces from Route 66, including Dawn Welch at the Rock Cafe, Kevin Mueller at … Continue reading Video summarizes “Route 66: The Road Ahead” conference

A visit to the Palms Grill Cafe

KC Keefer, on his Genuine Route 66 Life video series, interviews Angel French at the historic Palms Grill Cafe on Route 66 in downtown Atlanta, Illinois. https://youtu.be/BGNHcdCKaik The Palms Grill, built in 1934, was restored in 2009 and quickly became a must-stop for travelers -- especially for folks who like a small-town atmosphere and pie. … Continue reading A visit to the Palms Grill Cafe