After months of planning, weeks of hard work and generous loans from local people and businesses, the CVB's downtown tourist information center has undergone a transformation. The center located on Route 66 at 815 E. St. Louis St. now sports a Route 66 theme complete with window wraps on the outside and diner and gas station decor inside.

The window wraps are an effort to draw more attention to and visitors into the center and the decor is intended to give a step into the past and sense of nostalgia.

In the diner area are chrome tables and chairs where visitors can enjoy a soda in a glass bottle from a retro Coke machine, a black and white tile floor and old records on the walls. The gas station area features a phone booth, hub cabs on the walls, signs, license plates from each state along Route 66 and a 1920's-era gas pump.

Several of the items on display are on loan, including the gas pump from Jim D. Morris, the antique phone booth and other items from Mike's Unique Collectable and Antique Flea Market, a record player from Bob Faenger and a retro Coke machine from Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company.

The CVB staff - and visitors! - say thanks to all for the loans!