MotorMemories brings business boost to retailers, organizations

MOLLY SKYLES
Assistant Editor

With more than 80 vehicles from seven different states and 50 Iowa communities, local businesses and organizations were busy Thursday as the MotorMemories caravan rolled through town during a four-day tour of historic Iowa crime scenes.

During a two-hour “Shine Time,” the Fraternal Order of the Eagles in Red Oak sponsored a pork chop dinner. Two-hundred and one meals consisting of a pork chop, green beans, french fries and a roll were served at $5 per plate and 67 $1 bottles of water were sold. After the costs for the supplies and 120 lbs. of meat, the Eagles made a $675 profit to go toward their building fund.

The Eagles are a non-profit organization, with a majority of their money going toward the 13 different charities they work with.   

“Events like these make a big impact on our club,” Eagles’ Secretary Tom Knapp said. “June, July and August are our slow months so these cookouts are huge in terms of raising money.”

The next Eagles’ event will be a hot-dog and hamburger booth at the Junction Days celebration.

Not everyone from the car show got their meal from the Eagles Thursday evening.

Firehouse Restaurant waitress Debra Dahl said they were “slammed” with customers as well, most of whom were wearing T-shirts and identification badges from the MotorMemories group.

“We had to call in extra help we were so busy,” Dahl said. “It went well, though. There were lots of large groups of customers who ordered food and drinks.”

Dahl also said she made good tips that night.

After an afternoon at the Axe House in Villisca and Shine Time on the Red Oak square, the group spent Thursday, the first night of their journey, in town and the Red Coach Inn was booked solid.

All 53 rooms at the Inn were full, with about 48 designated for 95 classic car owners.

Executive Vice President of the Red Coach Inn, Randy Orme, said he suspects other hotels in the area saw an increase in business as well.

“It was a huge boost for the community,” Orme said. “It isn’t often we are full on a weeknight.”

Orme said he received multiple comments from happy MotorMemories members Friday morning saying how pleasant and big the rooms were compared to other places they’ve stayed.

“I’m glad they came, not only for business, but it provided an opportunity to show off our town,” Orme said. “That’s what this facility (The Red Coach Inn) is for. I just wish they were here a few more days to experience more of what Red Oak has to offer.”