Episode #8063
Discover Barstow: Route 66, Festivals, Main Street Murals, and Hospitality
Welcome to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! Today, Howard Fox takes us to the heart of Barstow, California, where he sits down in the cool comfort of the family-run Crave Kaffee Haus with Eugene Butticci, Executive Director of the Barstow Chamber of Commerce, and his daughter Yvonne Butticci, Owner of Crave Kaffee.. In this episode, we dive into the welcoming vibe of Barstow’s local businesses, explore how the Main Street murals and Route 66 festivities bring history and community pride to life, and uncover the impact of major projects shaping the region’s future. Along the way, Eugene Butticci shares insights on economic development, hidden gems for visitors, and what makes Barstow a destination worth more than just a roadside stop. Plus, Yvonne Butticci reveals how their coffee shop has become a true home away from home for locals and travelers alike. DISCUSSION 1. Introduction of Guests and Their Connection Eugene Butticci introduced as Executive Director of Barstow Chamber (00:37) Discussion of affiliation with Crave Kaffee Haus( 01:12) Eugene shares it’s his daughter’s business and a family-run operation Yvonne Butticci introduced as daughter, provides details on family involvement Description of the coffee house atmosphere and hospitality (01:57) 2. Crave Kaffee Haus: Branding and Social Media Yvonne explains their presence on Facebook and Instagram, spelling out the unique brand (02:32) 3. Eugene Butticci's Journey with the Chamber of Commerce Origin with the Chamber, starting as ambassador in 2014 (03:23) Background: Not originally from Barstow, from Buffalo, NY (03:45) Explanation of becoming a Chamber ambassador after job loss (04:49) Importance of maintaining visibility in the community 4. The Role and Impact of the Chamber in Barstow Purpose of the Chamber: Supporting business community membership (05:19) Major local initiatives: Main Street USA Festival (05:46) Background and expected impact from Route 66 centennial (07:21) Anticipated growth in attendance and community outreach (07:37) Barstow International Gateway (BIG) Project (06:00) Project overview: Inland port, 20,000 jobs, large economic boost (06:14) Anticipated demands for local services (hotels, groceries, restaurants) (06:46) Expansion in logistics and warehousing (07:07) 5. Details on Main Street USA Festival Date/timeline for event: October 9 and 10 (09:16) Activities and highlights: Car show expansion, inclusion of modern and off-highway vehicles (08:39) Children’s area with train rides, jump houses, water slides, sponsored by BNSF (08:56) National Miss Route 66 contest moved to October 9, allowing for more mingling (09:24) Theater production of "Grapes of Wrath" and reference to “Mother Road” (10:04) Events held at historic Harvey House (10:27) 6. The Role of Murals in Barstow’s Tourism and Community Identity Evolution into historical, cultural draw and tourist attraction (11:40) Murals as economic anchor: Encouraging travelers to stop, visit, and spend in Barstow (12:26) Parallels with mural programs in other towns (13:21) Pride in Main Street Murals’ achievements (12:58) 7. Downtown Barstow Revitalization Projects Upcoming renovations in pocket park and Main Street visual improvements (14:28) Timeline: noticeable transformation within four months (14:18) Notes on multi-phase approach as funding becomes available (14:52) 8. Changing Perceptions of Barstow Yvonne describes Barstow as more than a stopover “gas up and go” town (15:14) Promotion of local hidden gems (murals, local culture, hospitality) (15:23) Impact of detours (e.g., traffic on I-15) encouraging travelers to check out Barstow (15:36) 9. Community Engagement and Ambassadorship Importance of local “brand ambassadors” (16:27) Value of volunteers and residents in enhancing visitor experience (16:39) 10. Eugene's Personal Reflections and "Aha" Moments Personal awe at connections and opportunities through Chamber leadership (17:16) Example of event access: NASA/Goldstone Deep Space Network facility (17:54) Experience transitioning to Barstow from Orange County (18:34) Comparisons of SoCal travel times and Barstow's central location (19:19) Appreciation for Barstow’s scenery and proximity to nature and federal lands (19:32) 11. Local Recreation and Exploration Discovery of Rainbow Basin and other local excursions (20:24) Emphasis on Barstow as a base for outdoor adventures (19:52) LEARN MORE Thank you to Main Street Murals for facilitating the today's tour and the interviews - https://mainstreetmurals.com/ To learn more Barstow, its calendar of events, and how to do business locally, visit the Barstow Chamber's website at https://barstowchamber.com/ Check out Crave Kaffe Haus' website at https://cravecoffeerte66.com/ , or on these social sites: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Crave-Kaffee-61564514467253/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cravekaffee Learn more about Bartow, and its rich history by visiting: The Historic Harvey House: https://www.barstowca.org/residents/harvey-house-information . Route 66 Museum: https://www.motherroadmuseum.com/ NEXT STEPS Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes. Keywords Eugene Butticci, Barstow Chamber of Commerce, Yvonne Butticci, Crave Kaffee Haus, Jane Laraman-Brockhurs, Mainstreet Murals, Barstow, Barstow History, Route 66, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview #EugeneButticci #BarstowChamberofCommerce #YvonneButticci #CraveKaffeeHaus #JaneLaramanBrockhurst #MainStreetMurals #Barstow #BarstowHistory #Route66 #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview My Favorite Podcast Tools: Production by Descript Hosting Buzzsprout Show Notes by Castmagic Website powered by Podpage Be a Podcast Guest by PodMatch Banner Customization by Nano Banana & Canva
