Page 8 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Online Magazine

HONORING
SMALL BUSINESSES

Route 66

VS Covid- 19

By Bob “Crocodile” Lile

Every business on Historic Route 66 something or someone, and they
and of course elsewhere is feeling the decided to cripple our economy.
pinch during this crazy year; some
will not survive. Answers? Most of As a business owner on Route 66 in
us do not even know the questions. Amarillo, my visitors and sales went
from really good to almost nothing
How and why did this devastation overnight. During March, April, and
happen? Things were going great May, there was no interaction with
in our country and elsewhere until travelers and about the only sales
we were blindsided with Covid-19. were online; it was scary.
Maybe it was too great for someone’s
liking; we may never know the truth. Route 66 business’s survival depends
Our success may have offended on travelers, and the majority come

from foreign countries. We average
over 100,000 Route 66 travelers
annually. Most foreign tourists
love our American history and the
nostalgic feel of Route 66. The forties,
fifties and sixties were America’s
heyday, and they dig it.

Many thousands of people from all
over Europe, South America, Japan,
China, Australia and New Zealand
had flight reservations, car and
motorcycle rentals booked and were
looking forward to spending time
and money on our Mother Road.
Canadians and people from Mexico

8 Amarillo Senior Link