Connie’s Shoppe at the Wagon Wheel opens December 5

The Wagon Wheel hearth burned brightly this weekend and welcomed shoppers to Connie's Shoppe.

The Wagon Wheel hearth burned brightly this weekend and welcomed shoppers to Connie's Shoppe.

At one time the Wagon Wheel Cafe was a major Rt. 66 stopping point.

At one time the Wagon Wheel Cafe was a major Rt. 66 stopping point.

On Saturday, December 5th, Connie Echols the new owner of the historic Rt. 66 Wagon Wheel Motel in Cuba, MO opened Connie’s Shoppe in the former Wagon Wheel Cafe building.  The opening followed months of restoration, where windows and doors were put back to their original spot and other historic details were preserved.

The Shoppe, which features gifts, home decor, and Rt. 66 memorabilia, was closely inspected by Cuba residents and travelers over the weekend. On Sunday, The Shoppe was a stop on Viva Cuba’s Yuletide Tour.

Scenes of the building’s history and restoration played on a TV screen as shoppers enjoyed the vintage building and its wares. Many visitors shared memories of the old building. Echols hopes to develop a special line of Wagon Wheel themed souvenirs that stay true to the Wagon Wheel heritage.

The Wagon Wheel Motel has been a continuously operating Rt. 66 business since the 1930s. The motel units will undergo renovation this winter, but the motel is still operating.

For a Cuba Free Press article discussing the old Wagon Wheel Cafe and its replacement The Wagon Wheel Restaurant, go here.

This vintage shot of the Wagon Wheel Cafe building from the late 30s was recently acquired by Rt. 66 enthusiast Joe Sonderman.

This vintage shot of the Wagon Wheel Cafe building from the late 30s was recently acquired by Rt. 66 enthusiast Joe Sonderman.

Marie Buchka was a Wagon Wheel cook known for her biscuits and other culinary creations.

This recipe was written out and passed down to Joyce Stewart, another well-known Cuba cook.

Marie Buchka’s Famous Biscuit Recipe in her own words

2 cups of flour

½ cup of Crisco

½ teaspoon of salt

2/3 cup milk

1 egg

4 teaspoons of baking powder

½ teaspoon cream of tartar

2 tablespoons of sugar (She made a notation that she used one package of diabetic sugar.)

“I put it all together in a bowl, mix with fork, roll or pat out on floured cloth, cut with 2 inch cutter.  Bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes.”