Business Spotlight- The Mollie Event Venue and The Mollie Retreat guest house on Route 66, downtown Galena, Kansas:
Welcome to the first of hopefully many independent Route 66 business spotlight interviews— here we have Kristi Lorenz Adams, owner of The Mollie on 66, telling us about her fine establishment that I had the pleasure of staying at.
1-Can you tell us about The Mollie venue—what kinds of events do you host most often, and how do you cater to both local guests and those coming to Galena as part of a Route 66 destination experience?
- The Mollie on Route 66 is a boutique event space located right on Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. We host everything from intimate weddings and baby showers to birthday parties, pop-up markets, and corporate/community events. With a storefront view of Gearhead Curios, the Mollie is located directly on Route 66, while the Retreat access is from the alley, where guests can park their car steps from the entrance. One unique feature that they seem to love is the private indoor access between the venue and Retreat for those that choose to have “all-access” to our renovated 1890’s historic building.
2-Please tell us about The Mollie Retreat—What's the overall mix of guests like? Do you tend to attract more Route 66 travelers or folks attending specific events? How does this shift with the seasons?
- The Mollie Retreat is a one-of-a-kind King Studio Suite with a sexy 70s vibe, complete with a gamer’s loft, a rainfall shower, and vintage charm throughout. Our guest mix is pretty evenly split: in the warmer months, especially spring through early fall, we see a strong wave of Route 66 road-trippers, motorcyclists, and international travelers. In cooler months, the space tends to attract guests attending events at The Mollie Venue, holiday visitors coming to see family, or local travelers just wanting a fun and cozy getaway.
3- What’s been most rewarding about hosting guests at The Mollie Retreat? And what are a few favorite local businesses or attractions you love recommending to them?
The best part of hosting The Mollie Retreat is the feedback that I get about the space, as so many guests are surprised by the fun vibe, all the little details, and the throwback touches. It’s not a typical basic hotel room, and Route 66 travelers especially seem to love that. I also really enjoy the connections I get to make - whether it’s someone from across the world checking Route 66 off their bucket list or a local couple having a staycation, it’s always fun to hear their stories.
When road-trippers are ready to wander, I always encourage them to just get out and walk. Everything is just right outside the door from The Mollie Retreat. Of course, I point them to Gearhead Curios, a 1939 gas station that’s a fun, quirky experience for travelers and with several awesome photo backdrops. Mi Torito is a fan favorite for good Mexican food, and the newly-established Kicks Bar & Grill has awesome burgers and a super chill vibe. Cars on the Route is a must-stop, as well. It’s an old Kan-O-Tex service station featuring several vehicles, including the mining boom truck that inspired the character "Tow Mater" in Radiator Springs from the Pixar movie, Cars. We also have a well-curated city museum with some great artifacts representing our little mining town.
To be honest, I haven’t even covered the rest of the 13.1 miles of Kansas, and I feel like I’m leaving so much out. There’s a lot to offer for Route 66 explorers. Galena may be small, but it’s packed with personality, and people really seem to feel that when they’re here.
oute 66 destination experience?
