Landing Pad Shop Opening a Giant Leap for Route 66
Heritage Corridor Destinations, Joliet Area Historical Museum, City of Wilmington and Wilmington Park District are excited to announce the grand opening of The Landing Pad, a Route 66-themed souvenir shop located just steps away from the new home of the World-Famous Gemini Giant in Wilmington.
The Landing Pad souvenir shop opens for the season on Thursday, May 1, and will operate Thursday-Monday from noon-6 p.m. through November.
The Landing Pad’s opening coincides with the 18th annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival, taking place Saturday, May 3–Sunday, May 4 in communities along Route 66 throughout Illinois, including Wilmington.
The Landing Pad gift shop is designed to be a must-stop destination for Route 66 travelers and nostalgia lovers alike. The shop will offer an exclusive collection of one-of-a-kind collectibles, souvenirs, and memorabilia that capture the spirit of the Mother Road and celebrate this legendary stretch of American history.
“We are excited to be able to meet and welcome all our Route 66 visitors, local and from afar, with a smile and help make their trip as memorable as possible! We can’t wait to see you there!,”
said Kirsten Van Duyne, Executive Director of Wilmington Park District in a press release.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 22 at 11 a.m., followed by a festive celebration featuring food for purchase, music, and family-friendly entertainment.
“We are thrilled to be part of such an iconic piece of Americana as the Gemini Giant,” said Robert Navarro, President and CEO of Heritage Corridor Destinations in the release.
“Not only were we able to save the Giant, but now with The Landing Pad, we’re giving travelers some mementos to take with them to remember their travels on the Mother Road. It’s a testament to the strong community spirit of Wilmington and the surrounding area.”
Wilmington Island Park District, Joliet Area Historical Museum, Heritage Corridor Destinations, and more organizations will be on site on Saturday, May 3, and Thursday, May 22, to provide resources and information regarding upcoming events and more exciting things to do in the region.
“From the moment we began formal conversations to acquire the Gemini Giant in 2022, Joliet Area Historical Museum sought to be a dependable community partner to the residents of Wilmington and ensure the Gemini Giant was held in the public trust,” said Greg Peerbolte, Chief Executive Officer of the Joliet Area Historical Museum in the release.
“Our hope is that the Gemini Giant and The Landing Pad go well beyond providing a simple ‘photo op’ by branding the First One Hundred Miles region as a premier Route 66 travel experience. We fully anticipate benefitting regional economic development, supporting jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors and, most importantly, supporting our region’s l small business with visitors from around the world.”