Gemini Giant
The Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad
General information
Address810 E. Baltimore St. Wilmington, IL 60481
Coordinates41°18′38″N 88°08′19″W / 41.3104571°N 88.1384895°W / 41.3104571; -88.1384895
Year(s) built1964 (1964)[1]
Renovated2019 (2019)[2]
OwnerGemini Giant LLC[3]
Height30 ft[4]
Dimensions
Weight438 lbs[4]
Technical details
MaterialFiberglass[4]
Awards and prizesIllinois Route 66 Hall of Fame[5]

The Gemini Giant is a landmark statue on U.S. Route 66 at the eastern entrance to Wilmington, IL. Standing outside the Launching Pad Restaurant, the 30 foot tall statue is one of many giant "Muffler Man" advertising props found throughout the US in the 1960s. The Gemini Giant is named after the Gemini space program and holds a silver "rocket ship" in his hands, while sporting an astronaut's space helmet that resembles a welding mask.[6][7]

History

John and Bernice Korelc opened a Dari-Delight restaurant in 1960 at the present day location of the Launching Pad. The proprietors bought a 438-pound fiberglass Muffler Man figure for $3,500 at the annual National Restaurant Association convention.[8] Seeking to capitalize on America's fascination with the Space Race, they rebranded the restaurant as the "Launching Pad" and had the statue outfitted as an astronaut with helmet and rocket. A naming contest was held at the local grade school to give the statue a new moniker, and Cathy Thomas's suggestion of "Gemini Giant" was selected as the winner.[9] Since then, the Giant has become famous iconography of Route 66, often appearing national and international media alongside stories about the Mother Road. Its continued presence in Wilmington has become one of the most photographed destinations for travelers making the Route 66 journey.[10]

The history of the Gemini Giant and Launching Pad are intertwined. The Giant's attractiveness as a tourist photo stop has brought more visibility to the business than a small, local, independent fast food restaurant could expect to receive otherwise, while the restaurant's success is needed to keep the Giant where it has stood since 1965.

Korelc retired from full time work in 1986, but would continue to assist his daughter Sharon at the restaurant.[11]

Both the Launching Pad and the Gemini Giant were inducted into the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame in 2000.[12]

2007 to 2017

In 2007, Morey Szczecin purchased the Launching Pad and Gemini Giant from Sharon and her husband Jerry Gatties, marking the first time the restaurant and statue were owned by an individual outside of the founding family. The business struggled and began closing seasonally, something never done under prior ownership, and closed in 2010.[13] Szczecin listed the property for sale with an asking price of $650,000.[14]

An auction was held in April 2016, with a local couple submitting the high bid of $177,500. The bid failed to meet the reserve price of the auction, and the buyers and sellers could not come to an agreement in negotiations following the auction.[13]

The property would remain vacant until 2017.[15]

2017 through 2024

In October 2017, the building and statue were purchased for a combined $300,000[16] by The Gemini Giant LLC,[3] whose sole manager is Holly Barker.[17]

Tully Garrett launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money via donations to get the building rehabilitated. The campaign raised $1,151 from the public.[18] Garrett would often be referred to as an owner of the business by both himself and Barker,[19] though legal documents show Barker was always the sole owner.[17]

Public excitement soared over the potential of the Launching Pad and Gemini Giant's restoration, with articles published about how the location was "saved"[20] long before the restaurant was operational.[21] The hysteria surrounding the new ownership perhaps reached its pinnacle when the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce selected Barker and Garrett as the 2018 Businesspersons of the Year.[22]

After approximately 18 months of renovations, the Launching Pad begin serving food in Spring 2019. Fried food was not to be found on the menu, as the owner decided against bringing in fryers. Alongside traditional Chicago style hot dogs, the restaurant chose to sell items not found often at fast food establishments, like Brunswick stew and pot roast sandwiches.[15]

In June 2019, Mountain Dew launched its DEWnited States campaign. The label for Illinois prominently featured an artist's rendition of the Gemini Giant.[23]

The business was forced to close as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Launching Pad Restaurant received a Paycheck Protection Program loan of $31,868 to maintain 25 reported jobs on May 6, 2020.[24] They received a second round loan of $44,615 on March 10, 2021, this time reporting only six jobs.[25] Both loans were forgiven.[24][25]

The business reopened for the first time since the start of the pandemic in May 2021, ahead of the annual Red Carpet Corridor Festival.[26] By May 10, 2021 traditional Launching Pad menu items like burgers and fries had officially returned.[27]

The restaurant was approved for a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant of $456,047 on May 19, 2021.[28]

Six months later, the business closed in November 2021 for the winter,[29] reopening once more in May 2022.[30]

Barker, via her personal social media account, announced food would not be sold at the Launching Pad "ever again" in July 2022.[31] In 2022, the City of Wilmington passed an ordinance[32] to declare local landmarks and have some control over the upkeep and preservation of sites like the Gemini Giant. The ordinance requires the property owner to consent to the landmark designation, which Barker has declined.[33]

Given it's more than 50 years of prominent display and international tourist attention, the Gemini Giant is often mistakenly thought to be registered landmark, despite it never being recognized as such at the federal, state, county, or municipal level.

An update was published by the restaurant in September 2022, stating the restaurant is "not permanently closed." The closure was attributed to the post COVID-19 economic conditions for restaurants, along with the health of the business operators.[34]

Will County property taxes went unpaid for tax years 2021 and 2022,[35] and Sabrina Investments purchased the tax lien in December 2022. The property taxes were eventually redeemed on November 9, 2023 by Tully Garrett.[36]

Wilmington Mayor Ben Dietz revoked the business license for the Launching Pad, stating it is "the most punitive thing that we can do in the short term."[37] The Launching Pad is no longer authorized to conduct business as of January 2023.[38]

According to the Office of the Illinois Secretary of State, the Launching Pad Restaurant LLC, the corporation that runs the restaurant, was involuntarily dissolved in May 2023. Gemini Giant LLC, the separate corporation that owns the real estate and buildings, was updated to the status of "not in good standing" as of November 1, 2023.

In the time since the restaurant closed, the owner of the Gemini Giant has posted to social media several times announcing her intent to destroy the landmark, as early as July 2022[39] and most recently in October 2023.[40][41][42][43] Barker has consistently parked a damaged vehicle in front of the property[44][45][46] with painted messages including "Jon Benet Ramsey"[47] and accusing her former partner Garrett of grand theft auto.[48][49] Barker initially claimed to park the car there to "bring attention to the global scourge of child sex trafficking."[50] "Messages scrawled in white paint" on the restaurant itself is how the local newspaper referred[51] to her baseless accusations of murder.[52]

On October 30, 2023, Barker posted a series of tweets documenting a signed purchase agreement between the Gemini Giant LLC and the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The museum agreed to a purchase price of $420,000 for the real estate, $150,000 for the Gemini Giant itself, and $50,000 for all equipment and inventory remaining at the property,[53] along with a separate agreement to purchase the house next door for $200,000.[54] The next day, Barker made public correspondence between the lawyers for the parties, revealing she refused to extend a closing deadline; in response, the museum voted to make no further offers, allow the contract to expire, and walk away from the deal.[55]

On November 10, 2023, Barker announced she was selling the restaurant, including the Gemini Giant, for the "reasonable amount"[56] of $1.4 million.[57] The property was publicly listed for sale on November 28.[58] Days later, local news began reporting the Joliet Area Historical Museum was still looking to purchase the property after securing a $1 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for the acquisition.[59][51] Greg Peerbolte, executive director of the museum, confirmed the reports but said the museum would only be interested if Barker "is willing to substantially lower her asking price." The museum would run a visitor's center and gift shop out of the building, and lease the restaurant operation to another party.[48]

At the end of 2023 Garrett publicly stated he had no financial ties to either the Launching Pad or Barker.[60] Disputing that, Barker posted a signed, witnessed and notarized document dated November 8, 2023, showing Garrett entered into a contract to pay some of Barker's bills through June 2024.[61][62]

Barker issued a public death threat to Garrett via social media in January 2024.[63] The same day she began dumping contents from inside the Launching Pad onto the parking lot.[64] Wilmington police ticketed Barker for littering.[65] Barker posted a series of videos in which she can be heard breaking glass in the parking lot while claiming a lawyer intentionally failed to file paperwork, resulting in her LLC to be dissolved with the alleged goal of taking ownership of the property away from Barker.[66] After days of noncompliance, Wilmington Public Works cleaned up the parking lot and the city will bill Barker for all cleanup costs.[67]

Trademark Disputes

Just weeks after Barker's purchase of the Gemini Giant was made public, Jeffrey Vilt of neighboring Coal City filed a trademark application for the phrase "Launching Pad Gemini Giant" for use on merchandise.[68] Vilt had no connection to any of Barker, the Gemini Giant, or the Launching Pad. After a lengthy dispute with Barker over the matter, eventually Vilt's attorney withdrew as counsel in 2019,[69] and the trademark application was officially declared abandonded in 2021 because Vilt never filed a statement of use in the prior four years, and had failed to request an extension.[70]

Barker filed her own trademark application for "Gemini Giant" to be used on merchandise on November 28, 2017.[71] Following the abandonment of Vilt's application, Barker's application was allowed in May 2022.[72] However, she too failed to submit a statement of use and this application was also abandoned.[73]

Another application, this time for "Launching Pad Gemini Giant" and including the image of the Giant, was filed for use in fast-food restaurant services.[74] The application was initially refused due to the likelihood of confusion with the prior registered trademark granted to the Launch Pad Brewery located in Colorado.[75] This application was abandoned when Barker again failed to respond to the USPTO.[76]

A third application filed by Barker, now for "Launching Pad Gemini Giant" and including the image of the Giant, for use on clothing remains live but suspended[77] due once again to Barker's failure to respond to a USPTO required submission of a specimen of use.[78]

A further application made on behalf of the Launching Pad Restaurant LLC, for the wordmark "Launching Pad" in use for a retail gift shop, museum and welcome center, and restaurant services, was filed in 2018.[79] The application was abandoned in Summer 2023, again due to a failure to submit a statement of use.[80]

References

  1. ↑ "Wilmington's Gemini Giant Stands Tall in the History of Route 66". Heritage Corridor Destinations. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  2. ↑ Warnick, Ron (June 8, 2019). "Restoration of Gemini Giant completed". Route 66 News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Property tax records for 810 E. Baltimore St". Archived from the original on October 29, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 Joyce, Katy Spratte. "Reviving a Giant". Route Magazine. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame Members". Route 66 Association of Illinois. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Wilmington, Illinois - Home of the Gemini Giant". Archived from the original on June 8, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  7. ↑ "The Launching Pad Diner". Retrieved June 6, 2012.
  8. ↑ Bungartz, Amanda (May 22, 2019). "Ready for liftoff: A resurrected Route 66 diner serves up hot fudge sundaes with a side of grief counseling". Roadtrippers Magazine. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  9. ↑ Voigt, Jason (November 21, 2020). "Bunyon's Statue Historical Marker". The Historical Marker Database. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  10. ↑ Searl, Ryan (March 11, 2021). "Legendary Route 66 Sights: The Gemini Giant". The First Hundred Miles. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  11. ↑ Warnick, Ron (July 24, 2007). "Creator of the Launching Pad restaurant dies". Route 66 News.
  12. ↑ Warnick, Ron (December 6, 2017). "Launching Pad's new owners launch crowdfunding site". Route 66 News. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018.
  13. 1 2 Warnick, Ron (April 11, 2016). "Launching Pad Drive-In fails to sell at auction". Route 66 News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  14. ↑ "Wilmington: Launching Pad for sale". The Daily Journal. January 26, 2011. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  15. 1 2 Ferak, John (May 14, 2019). "Once in Ruins, Route 66's Launching Pad Now Open Daily". Joliet Patch.
  16. ↑ "Price & Sales History". Coldwell Banker Real Estate Listing. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023.
  17. 1 2 "Illinois Limited Liability Company Act Articles of Incorporation, File Number 06619118" (Document). State of Illinois. November 10, 2017.
  18. ↑ Tafoya, Bernie (December 5, 2017). "Couple Launches GoFundMe Page To Reopen Wilmington Staple, 'Launching Pad' Restaurant". CBS News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ Monson, Pam (October 5, 2017). "Launching Pad has new owners". Free Press Advocate. Wilmington. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Gemini Giant has been saved". The Intelligencer. November 2, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Local couple buys Launching Pad". The Daily Journal.
  22. ↑ "Launching Pad owners named Businesspersons of the Year". Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. November 20, 2018. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ Chinworth, Matt. "Mountain Dew / DEWnited States Label Designs". Behance. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  24. 1 2 "Launching Pad Restaurant PPP Loan, First Round". Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  25. 1 2 "Launching Pad Restaurant PPP Loan, Second Round". ProPublica. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  26. ↑ "We are so thankful and grateful for such a wonderful grand opening today at The Launching Pad". Launching Pad via Facebook. May 1, 2021.
  27. ↑ "We would like to announce we are officially serving burgers, crinkle cut fries, fried mushrooms, onion rings". Launching Pad via Facebook. May 10, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Restaurant Revitalization Fund" (CSV). U.S. Small Business Administration. July 12, 2001. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  29. ↑ "That's a wrap. What a great 2021 Season!". The Launching Pad via Facebook. November 7, 2021.
  30. ↑ "We are slowly opening with ice cream". The Launching Pad via Facebook. May 4, 2022.
  31. ↑ Barker, Holly (July 19, 2022). "No more food ever again at this Launching Pad location". Truth Social.
  32. ↑ "150.120 - Designation of historic landmarks". City of Wilmington Code of Ordinances. October 18, 2022.
  33. ↑ Simon, Marney (October 26, 2022). ""Historical landmark ordinance passed". Free Press Advocate. Wilmington. pp. 1, 3.
  34. ↑ Warnick, Ron (August 15, 2022). "Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington closes; future of restaurant appears uncertain". Route 66 News. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  35. ↑ "Real Estate Tax Info". Will County Treasurer. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Tax Sale Redemption Delinquent Inquiry". Will County Treasurer. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  37. ↑ Simon, Marney (December 21, 2022). "City's hands tied in Launching Pad debate". Free Press Advocate. Wilmington. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  38. ↑ "Wilmington IL Business Directory". City of Wilmington.
  39. ↑ Barker, Holly (July 28, 2022). "I will obliterate the Gemini Giant". Truth Social.
  40. ↑ Barker, Holly (October 25, 2023). "Gemini Giant will burn in parking lot". Twitter.
  41. ↑ Barker, Holly (October 26, 2023). "The Gemini Giant is toast". Twitter.
  42. ↑ Barker, Holly (October 26, 2023). "God told me to set the Giant up for demon-ition". Twitter.
  43. ↑ Barker, Holly (October 26, 2023). "To Senator Durbin: the Giant is toast and you have fiberglass on his hands". Twitter.
  44. ↑ Del Pueblo, Saliendo (December 19, 2022). "ruta 66 día 3 gemini giant wilmington". YouTube.
  45. ↑ Bradtke, Phill (November 21, 2023). "Photo of car parked blocking view of Gemini Giant". Historic Route 66 Group.
  46. ↑ Bradtke, Phill (November 21, 2023). "Car blocking view of Gemini Giant, with cans of tomato soup on hood". Historic Route 66 Group.
  47. ↑ Ferak, John (December 6, 2023). "Photo of vehicle at Launching Pad". Joliet Patch. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  48. 1 2 Ferak, John (December 6, 2023). "Launching Pad: Joliet's Museum Would Buy It, But Only At This Price". Joliet Patch. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  49. ↑ Ferak, John (December 6, 2023). "Photo of vehicle at Launching Pad". Joliet Patch. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  50. ↑ Barker, Holly (August 4, 2022). "My car is parked in front of the Gemini Giant". Truth Social.
  51. 1 2 Simon, Marney (December 6, 2023). "Launching Pad, Gemini Giant up for sale". Free Press Advocate. pp. 1, 3.
  52. ↑ "Launching Pad Drive-In Review". Google Maps. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
  53. ↑ Barker, Holly (October 30, 2023). "First Addendum to the Real Estate and Business Purchase and Sale Agreement" (JPG). Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  54. ↑ Barker, Holly (October 30, 2023). "Multi-Board Residential Real Estate Contract" (JPG). Twitter. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  55. ↑ "Re: The Joliet Area Historical Museum Purchase of 808 E. Baltimore Street/810 E. Baltimore Street" (JPG). Twitter. October 31, 2023. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  56. ↑ Barker, Holly (November 10, 2023). "God is telling me to do this with this reasonable amount asking price". Twitter.
  57. ↑ Barker, Holly (November 10, 2023). "I am putting the Launching Pad up for sale by owner". Twitter.
  58. ↑ "810 E Baltimore St Retail For Sale". LoopNet. November 28, 2023. Archived from the original on November 30, 2023.
  59. ↑ "Launching Pad Along Route 66 For Sale, Could Joliet Museum Be A Buyer?". WJOL. December 1, 2023. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023.
  60. ↑ Garrett, Tully (December 27, 2023). "Hello it has been awhile". Facebook.
  61. ↑ "Joint Mutual Agreement, page 1". January 6, 2024. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024.
  62. ↑ "Joint Mutual Agreement, page 2". January 6, 2024. Archived from the original on January 7, 2024.
  63. ↑ Barker, Holly (January 2, 2024). "I will kill them dead". X. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024.
  64. ↑ "Owner of Launching Pad restaurant damaged area around famed Gemini Giant: Wilmington police". ABC Chicago. January 5, 2024. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024.
  65. ↑ Barker, Holly (January 2, 2024). "Accumulation of Litter Citation". X. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024.
  66. ↑ Barker, Holly (January 4, 2024). "The whole parking lot is covered with glass". X.
  67. ↑ "Owner Will Be Responsible For Cost Of Clean-Up". WJOL. January 10, 2024. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024.
  68. ↑ Vilt, Jeffrey (November 3, 2017). "Trademark/Service Mark Application No: 87670391". United States Patent and Trademark Office. Archived from the original on November 11, 2023.
  69. ↑ Keener, Kevin (October 18, 2019). "Motion to Withdraw as Counsel". United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  70. ↑ "ITU Unit Action". United States Patent and Trademark Office. December 21, 2021.
  71. ↑ "Trademark/Service Mark Application No. 87699564". United States Patent and Trademark Office. November 28, 2017.
  72. ↑ "Notice of Allowance". United States Patent and Trademark Office. May 31, 2022.
  73. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Abandonment". United States Patent and Trademark Office.
  74. ↑ "Trademark/Service Mark Application No. 88451549". United States Patent and Trademark Office. May 29, 2019.
  75. ↑ "Nonfinal Office Action". United States Patent and Trademark Office. August 26, 2019.
  76. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Abandonment". United States Patent and Trademark Office. October 1, 2020.
  77. ↑ "Trademark Status, No. 88455142". United States Patent and Trademark Office. March 29, 2023.
  78. ↑ "Suspension Notice". United States Patent and Trademark Office. September 16, 2020.
  79. ↑ "Trademark/Service Mark Application No. 87774573". United States Patent and Trademark Office. January 29, 2018.
  80. ↑ "Official USPTO Notice of Abandonment". United States Patent and Trademark Office. July 17, 2023.
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