Sunday, October 25th, 2009
Well, I’m standing on a hilltop in Winslow Arizona…
the dilapidated RESTAURANT sign at Leroy's (he was right: this side was better... or, worse...)
No, I didn’t get the lyrics messed up. Yes, Winslow Arizona is all about The Eagles’ song “Take it Easy” that put the name “Winslow” on our collective mental maps for life, whether we like The Eagles or not (being a Maritimer, I have no say in the matter)… but I’m talking about some other guy in Winslow, up on the hill in the west end of town. This little hill apparently used to be known as “Gomez Hill” (named after the Gomez family in the area) – but soon it’s going to be “Leroy’s Hill”, if Leroy Edwards has anything to say about it.
I had stopped to photograph this beat-up RESTAURANT sign on this big tower when Leroy, the owner of the property, pulled up and said, “this side’s even better” (meaning, of course: that side was even worse). We got talking and I found out that this was a man with a plan.
Leroy Edwards with one of the custom motorcycles he's building
Leroy bought this old restaurant property when it was really falling apart – just a shell. He’s been working on it for awhile now, and his plan is to create a Route 66 destination here. He’s actually bought a bunch of lots next to it, too – and a large tract of land behind the restaurant as well. His vision is substantial: a biker bar/restaurant with an outdoor beer garden (which is already plotted out and poured), but also places in the back where people can park overnight with showers, etc. Then there’s the gift shop, bagged lunches, kids’ activities (maybe a radio-controlled car track)… sky’s the limit with this guy. He showed me around the inside and it’s clear he’s been busy. He also has his “Steel Sled Shop” business, and he’s building his (gorgeous) custom motorcycles inside the space while he’s been planning and renovating – all this while working as a conductor for the BNSF railroad. He should be retiring in a few years, and then he’ll do nothing but focus on this new business.
Something that he told me struck me as very cool. Leroy said that at one point, he had really hit a wall in his plans, and was looking at having to throw in the towel – until another Winslow Route 66 business owner told him about this municipal code that that made everything fall into place for him. Turns out there is some code called the Route 66 Overlay – or something to that effect – that allows people to live in their commercial property while they are renovating it, if it lies along a certain proximity to Route 66. This was apparently key for Leroy, and he now lives in his space while he works on it, which allows him to afford his endeavor. If it weren’t for that code, he says, he wouldn’t be able to follow this dream.
Leroy in front of the old restaurant he's renovating
I was so impressed to hear this. I seriously know nothing about building and municipal codes – but it seems to me that someone (or some people) in Winslow had some real vision and smarts to make it easier for entrepreneurs to create new businesses along the Route 66 corridor. Most towns simply dried up when the interstate bypassed Route 66. Winslow is no different: in spite of the Eagles’ song fame and the Route-66-must-stop Standing on the Corner Park, there are a lot of empty businesses in this place. But more people are returning to follow the storied path of Route 66 – and the more these towns can do to help create successful new businesses on the Route, the more revitalization the towns will see. I was quite encouraged by what Leroy told me. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of other towns with similar revitalization-friendly codes in place; this is just the first I’ve heard of it. If you know of others, share ‘em up!
And I have to say: judging by his work ethic and enthusiasm for his dream, I won’t be at all surprised in a few years to see Leroy standing on a hilltop in Winslow Arizona, with such a fine sight to see…
the "Standing on the Corner Park" in Winslow
p.s. I suspect the people in Winslow are about as sick of hearing “Take it Easy” as we are of hearing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” back home (”…born and raised in SOUTH DETROIT…” as we all like to shout in unison).
p.p.s. Contrary to how I’ve been portrayed in the US media (wow did it feel cool to type that), I was not born and raised in south Detroit – I was born and raised in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. I have been working in Detroit for the past ten years and living across the border in Windsor, Ontario. A few of my friends chirped at me about coming across as American in the stories about this project, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to affirm my Canadianism. True north strong and free! Vive le Canada! Etc.!
No, I didn’t get the lyrics messed up. Yes, Winslow Arizona is all about The Eagles’ song “Take it
Easy” that put the name “Winslow” on our collective mental maps for life, whether we like The
Eagles or not… but I’m talking about some other guy in Winslow, up on the hill in the west end of
town. This little hill apparently used to be known as “Gomez Hill” (named after the Gomez family
in the area) – but soon it’s going to be “Leroy’s Hill”, if Leroy Edwards has anything to say about
it.
I had stopped to photograph this beat-up RESTAURANT sign on this big tower when Leroy, the owner of
the property, pulled up and said, “this side’s even better” (meaning, of course: that side was even
worse). We got talking and I found out that this was a man with a plan.
Leroy bought this old restaurant property when it was really falling apart – just a shell. He’s
been working on it for awhile now, and his plan is to create a Route 66 destination here. He’s
actually bought a bunch of lots next to it, too – and a large tract of land behind the restaurant
as well. His vision is substantial: a biker bar/restaurant with an outdoor beer garden (which is
already plotted out and poured), but also places in the back where people can park overnight with
showers, etc. Then there’s the gift shop, bagged lunches, kids’ activities (maybe a
radio-controlled car track), etc. – sky’s the limit with this guy. He showed me around the inside
and it’s clear he’s been busy. He also has his “Steel Sled Shop” business, and he’s building his
(gorgeous) custom motorcycles inside the space while he’s been planning and renovating – all this
while working as a conductor for the BNSF railroad. He should be retiring in a few years, and then
he’ll do nothing but focus on this news business.
Something that he told me struck me as very cool. Leroy said that at one point, he had really hit
a wall in his plans, and was looking at having to throw in the towel – until another Winslow Route
66 business owner told him about this municipal code that that made everything fall into place for
him. Turns out there is some code called the Route 66 Overlay – or something to that effect – that
allows people to live in their commercial property while they are renovating it, if it lies along a
certain proximity to Route 66. This was apparently key for Leroy, and he now lives in his space
while he works on it, which allows him to afford his endeavor. If it weren’t for that code, he
says, he wouldn’t be able to follow this dream.
I was so impressed to hear this. I seriously know nothing about building and municipal codes – but
it seems to me that someone (or some people) in Winslow had some real vision and smarts to make it
easier for entrepreneurs to create new businesses along the Route 66 corridor. Most towns simply
dried up when the interstate bypassed Route 66. Winslow is no different: in spite of the Eagles’
song fame and the Route-66-must-stop Standing on the Corner Park, there are a lot of empty
businesses in this place. But more people are returning to follow the storied path of Route 66 -
and the more these towns can do to help create successful new businesses on the Route, the more
revitalization the towns will see. I was quite encouraged by what Leroy told me.
And I have to say: judging by his work ethic and enthusiasm for his dream, I won’t be at all
surprised in a few years to see Leroy standing on a hilltop in Winslow Arizona, with such a fine
sight to see…
p.s. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear of other towns with similar revitalization-friendly codes in
place; this is just the first I’ve heard of it. If you know of others, share ‘em up!
p.p.s. I suspect the people in Winslow are about as sick of hearing “Take it Easy” as we are of
hearing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” back home (”…born and raised in SOUTH DETROIT…” as we
all like to shout in unison).
Tags: Arizona, Canada, city code, Detroit, Eagles, Leroy Edwards, Moncton, Route 66 overlay, Standing on the Corner, Take it Easy, Windsor, Winslow
October 25th, 2009 at 7:37 am
So, you remembered you are ” Canadian, eh?!”
October 25th, 2009 at 8:44 am
When we drove through there, we didn’t even stop in Winslow. We couldn’t get the song out of our head until sometime after crossing into New Mexico later that night.
October 25th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Another great story. Makes me want to head for Route 66. I’ve had my Jetta Sportswagen TDI since July 15, and I have 3000 miles on her so far. Hmmmm.
October 25th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Had It not been for machismo and alcohol, I would have been a Canadian in 1965. The most stupid thing I ever did in my life was Join the U.S. Navy when I got my draft notice, instead of jumping the border. I regreat the stuiped choice I made to this day.
Rojo
October 25th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
James: I know, that damn song has been in my head for days. Love your blog by the way!
October 25th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Rojo: Wow. I’m just glad you’re still around after all that!
Jane Anne: hit the road, woman!
October 25th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Arizona Huh? You immigrants are all the same. You come here to TAKE pictures and TAKE our photography jobs and TAKE our sand away in your shoes a little at a time. You do all this without threatening people or bringing any cool weaponry and then acting all nice and friendly and grateful. Disgusting…
…er sorry…I went to sleep last night and my neighbor had FOX news turned up too loud. Watch out for the Minute Men! :]
October 25th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
Now I got the earworm, too – but I’m an Eagles fan, so it’s all good, as they say. I really like the idea of revving up old R66 businesses, but I hope they keep the flavor of revisiting the past as it is, and not turn it into miles of commercial updated theme park.
October 25th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
So where we goin’ now? What’s up next on “Sing – along- with – Sandi” !?
(Oooohhh….do I hear “California Dreamin’” off in the distance?)
October 25th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
you got it 4 sure, Vive le Canada! eh!
October 26th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
What about you and the story of the guy just about ready to give it up? I take that as a sign for you and your new life. Belive something will happen and it will. Nice bikes, eh? Rock on, or fly on or whatever.
October 27th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Couple o’ things. I listened to Take it Easy as I read this post.
Secondly, I am also very tight with the maritimes, as I know we have talked about before. My parents and grandparents all hail from Cap Breton Nova Scotia. And we both work/ed in the U.S. But I also am a proud Canuck.
October 27th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
Well Sandi, you passed through Williams just in time. We arrived early this afternoon and by 5pm it was snowing like mad. I sure hope it is over and gone by Friday we sure would like to check out more of 66.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Sandi, Your images and words are a thing of beauty. Travel safe you.
October 28th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Sandi, I am so proud of you!! It takes alot of guts to do what your doing and most people only dream about doing something like this and you are actually living the dream! I tried to sponsor you with some traveling cash but I ran into problems on the website. I am going to try again later. Hit me up on my e-mail and give your e-mail address so I can write you and give you the secret code word that springs me into action if you need to be rescued from rabid coyotes or venemous snakes! Take care XO
October 28th, 2009 at 9:24 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtBr5JKSuks
October 28th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Hey Sandi… I continue to enjoy the words and images from your travels. I hope we get together to have a cold one together when you return… well 1) if you return…you may just enjoy it out there too much and 2) if you schedule allows as I suspect you’ll be plenty busy with getting this organized for publishing and all the media requests! Continued good luck! ok, now I cant get either of those songs (eagles and journey) outta my head!
October 28th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Ah! More music input, thanks Chris. But wtf: how did you know I was in Vegas yesterday, I didn’t even mention it yet?! Man, I love this song – thanks for the link!
October 28th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
If it was reversed, I wonder if Canadian media would portray an American as a Canadian if they were covering a similiar story of a traveler in Canada. Somehow I doubt it. I love the US hugetime and how America wants to put it’s stamp on everything, like, the Moon, the Middle East and now Sandi Wheaton! It is remarkable. Well they can stamp me anytime to!
But yes I can vouch for Sandi – she is captain of Team Hoser eh!
October 29th, 2009 at 2:47 am
Jo, I can’t believe it was snowing in Williams! ugh!
Vallis, you just crack me up.
Rich, beer? I’ll never say no to a cold one!
Greg, hilarious – as always.
Deborah, “earworm”? What a useful term!
Laurie, take your pick of any Vegas song of your choice…