Relaunch The Launching Pad Route 66
Donation protected
Iconic Route 66 Mainstay - The Launching Pad Restaurant is Home of the World Famous Gemini Giant. He is a 28 foot tall Spaceman that is the Protector of The Mother Road.
Even though the restaurant has been closed over a handful of years the Spaceman Giant gets travelers from all around the World each and every day. This is one of the first stops on Route 66 just a little over an hour South of Chicago.
Sad, but true this wonderful restaurant closed down
around 2012 after being in business for over 50 years. Two generations of family ran it very successfully from the late 1950's up through the
later 2000's. Was sold at retirement to a new owner.
However, was not run very well and went under.
This slice of Americana has been sitting vacant and
run down more and more each year it cotinues to fade away. It had become an eyesore not only to the local community but to all the World travelers who visit it. The Giant stands tall and proud yet the building was shuddered and in bad shape.
OUR STORY:
My wife Nancy passed away on 11/21/15 of Cervical Cancer leaving behind myself and two young boys 12 and 8 years of age. After 20 years of a great marriage we lost her at the young age of 46. We were beside ourself.
My current life partner- Holly Barker lost her husband Jordan of Cancer the previous year and was left to care for her 12 year old Son. They had been living in Canada.
We were both blessed to have crossed paths during this time of pain. Holly was and is running an on-site Grief group called Grief Anonymous and our meeting each other was Divine Timing.
Myself, Holly, Jackson, Tyler and Zander are all now living under the same roof together and trying to find our way after these two tragic losses. There is no switch to turn Grief on or off. We are doing our best to blend this family of broken hearts best we can.
THE PERFECT DAY:
Early October Holly and I were driving to Wilmington Illinois to go Antique shopping. On our way we passed this 28 Foot Gemini Giant. Of course we pulled into the parking lot as we saw several cars parked and people taking pictures next to the Giant.
We both noticed the Restaurant was closed and in bad shape but also noticed a "For Sale" sign on it.
Holly instantly turned around to me and said "We have to buy this and save it" and the story begins.
The world is crazy and fast paced. These are uncertain times. We both feel we need a little bit of the Old Days back in our life when times were much more simpler. Bringing The Launching Pad back to life we feel will do just that.
So, we took our life saving and cleared out the 401k and IRA with huge hits and rolled our dice on The Giant. We knew we had to save him. We would figure out what to do down the road if and when we
owned this wonderful place.
In short order we have had the parking lot paved and seal coated by Lucas Paving free of charge as they wanted to Pay It Forward. We have had Relentless Carpentry donate labor to fixed an entrance on the building that was in very poor shape. Hundreds of hours have been spent cleaning up the property and we have now run into some issues that are going to slow this process down.
ADDITIONAL FUNDS:
We have had some possitive sales of T-shirts that have helped us reinvest back into the building. A new roof is going to be put on in the next week or so in large part due to all the support from T-Shirt sales and we are every so grateful.
HOW WILL YOUR DONATION HELP?
The following items are found or in need of repair
and/or replacement in order to get this building
Permit Ready and Food Safe Ready:
(3) Roof Top Air Conditioning / Furnace Units
are 25 years old and not funcitioning.
(1) Walk in Freezer non-operational
(1) Walk in Deep freezer non-operatioal
(1) Deep fryer 3 bay unit non-operational
(2) Electric Water Heaters non-operational
(1) Indoor furance non-operational
(1) Hamburger Broiler Machine non-operational
(2) Taylor Ice Cream Machines non-operational
(1) Slush machine non-operational
Compound plumbing leaks due to building sitting
without heat.
Multiple electric issues that need be sorted out.
Multiple leaks on the flat roof that need attention.
Kitchen area needs all new flooring and wall &
Ceiling attended to.
Both Male & Female Bathrooms remodeled.
We have not even addressed the middle and back of the building. But again, our concern is the above items that are needed to a least get the business up and running.
So as you can see, even though the above is not a complete list it is a large enough list.
We know that eventually we will open but with the very large punch list it is going to take a very long time to get the building in order to run a full menue.
Our main goal was to save this building. We know we have a huge community of people that have been touched over the years from The Launching Pad and each and every day their story is on our Facebook page showing the love.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT & WORLD WIDE:
Once we are open we have from day one stated we are dedicated the back of the building for Civic and Community events free of charge to Pay It Forward.
As well, Holly's Grief Anonymous meetings will be held here to help healing from loss of loved ones.
We do know that not everyone can help support. We also know that there are people who will question why we need support at all. This is a given.
We know that the people who understand this - get it. The people who spent their youth here have fond memories. The local meet up was at The Pad. Cruise nights and all the fun revolved around The Pad.
We have become members of Route 66 Association, Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society. We are in this for the long haul. Every penny of our savings are invested along with our heart and family.
IN CLOSING:
The Launching Pad could not have come into our life at a better time. We feel that this will help heal our family and give us direction with Love and understanding. This will be in the center of the Community and helping Pay It Foward when we are up and running.
We are going to bring the Good Old Days back with great food, music, car shows, cruise nights, sock hops and movie nights. We will not only be about food but a destination for all the come in and relax and smile.
Being the very first thing you see coming into Wilmington Illinois we want to leave a lasting impression for all from Wilmington and to those around the World...
So come join up to Re-Launch The Launching Pad!
From our Family to Yours,
Tully, Holly, Jackson, Tyler & Zander
Even though the restaurant has been closed over a handful of years the Spaceman Giant gets travelers from all around the World each and every day. This is one of the first stops on Route 66 just a little over an hour South of Chicago.
Sad, but true this wonderful restaurant closed down
around 2012 after being in business for over 50 years. Two generations of family ran it very successfully from the late 1950's up through the
later 2000's. Was sold at retirement to a new owner.
However, was not run very well and went under.
This slice of Americana has been sitting vacant and
run down more and more each year it cotinues to fade away. It had become an eyesore not only to the local community but to all the World travelers who visit it. The Giant stands tall and proud yet the building was shuddered and in bad shape.
OUR STORY:
My wife Nancy passed away on 11/21/15 of Cervical Cancer leaving behind myself and two young boys 12 and 8 years of age. After 20 years of a great marriage we lost her at the young age of 46. We were beside ourself.
My current life partner- Holly Barker lost her husband Jordan of Cancer the previous year and was left to care for her 12 year old Son. They had been living in Canada.
We were both blessed to have crossed paths during this time of pain. Holly was and is running an on-site Grief group called Grief Anonymous and our meeting each other was Divine Timing.
Myself, Holly, Jackson, Tyler and Zander are all now living under the same roof together and trying to find our way after these two tragic losses. There is no switch to turn Grief on or off. We are doing our best to blend this family of broken hearts best we can.
THE PERFECT DAY:
Early October Holly and I were driving to Wilmington Illinois to go Antique shopping. On our way we passed this 28 Foot Gemini Giant. Of course we pulled into the parking lot as we saw several cars parked and people taking pictures next to the Giant.
We both noticed the Restaurant was closed and in bad shape but also noticed a "For Sale" sign on it.
Holly instantly turned around to me and said "We have to buy this and save it" and the story begins.
The world is crazy and fast paced. These are uncertain times. We both feel we need a little bit of the Old Days back in our life when times were much more simpler. Bringing The Launching Pad back to life we feel will do just that.
So, we took our life saving and cleared out the 401k and IRA with huge hits and rolled our dice on The Giant. We knew we had to save him. We would figure out what to do down the road if and when we
owned this wonderful place.
In short order we have had the parking lot paved and seal coated by Lucas Paving free of charge as they wanted to Pay It Forward. We have had Relentless Carpentry donate labor to fixed an entrance on the building that was in very poor shape. Hundreds of hours have been spent cleaning up the property and we have now run into some issues that are going to slow this process down.
ADDITIONAL FUNDS:
We have had some possitive sales of T-shirts that have helped us reinvest back into the building. A new roof is going to be put on in the next week or so in large part due to all the support from T-Shirt sales and we are every so grateful.
HOW WILL YOUR DONATION HELP?
The following items are found or in need of repair
and/or replacement in order to get this building
Permit Ready and Food Safe Ready:
(3) Roof Top Air Conditioning / Furnace Units
are 25 years old and not funcitioning.
(1) Walk in Freezer non-operational
(1) Walk in Deep freezer non-operatioal
(1) Deep fryer 3 bay unit non-operational
(2) Electric Water Heaters non-operational
(1) Indoor furance non-operational
(1) Hamburger Broiler Machine non-operational
(2) Taylor Ice Cream Machines non-operational
(1) Slush machine non-operational
Compound plumbing leaks due to building sitting
without heat.
Multiple electric issues that need be sorted out.
Multiple leaks on the flat roof that need attention.
Kitchen area needs all new flooring and wall &
Ceiling attended to.
Both Male & Female Bathrooms remodeled.
We have not even addressed the middle and back of the building. But again, our concern is the above items that are needed to a least get the business up and running.
So as you can see, even though the above is not a complete list it is a large enough list.
We know that eventually we will open but with the very large punch list it is going to take a very long time to get the building in order to run a full menue.
Our main goal was to save this building. We know we have a huge community of people that have been touched over the years from The Launching Pad and each and every day their story is on our Facebook page showing the love.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT & WORLD WIDE:
Once we are open we have from day one stated we are dedicated the back of the building for Civic and Community events free of charge to Pay It Forward.
As well, Holly's Grief Anonymous meetings will be held here to help healing from loss of loved ones.
We do know that not everyone can help support. We also know that there are people who will question why we need support at all. This is a given.
We know that the people who understand this - get it. The people who spent their youth here have fond memories. The local meet up was at The Pad. Cruise nights and all the fun revolved around The Pad.
We have become members of Route 66 Association, Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society. We are in this for the long haul. Every penny of our savings are invested along with our heart and family.
IN CLOSING:
The Launching Pad could not have come into our life at a better time. We feel that this will help heal our family and give us direction with Love and understanding. This will be in the center of the Community and helping Pay It Foward when we are up and running.
We are going to bring the Good Old Days back with great food, music, car shows, cruise nights, sock hops and movie nights. We will not only be about food but a destination for all the come in and relax and smile.
Being the very first thing you see coming into Wilmington Illinois we want to leave a lasting impression for all from Wilmington and to those around the World...
So come join up to Re-Launch The Launching Pad!
From our Family to Yours,
Tully, Holly, Jackson, Tyler & Zander
Organizer
Tully Garrett
Organizer
New Lenox, IL