Meet Mary Beth Babcock: Route 66 Enthusiast and Small Business Champion

Mary Beth Babcock is a visionary entrepreneur with a deep connection to Tulsa’s rich history and Route 66 legacy. From her first business venture in Tulsa’s Blue Dome District to creating Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios, Meadow Gold Mack’s and Buck’s Vintage, Mary Beth has turned her passion for retail and local culture into iconic destinations along the historic highway. 

Tell us a bit about your journey as a small business owner and interest in Route 66.

I opened my first small business in 2006 in downtown Tulsa in the Blue Dome District called Dwelling Spaces which had a great run until 2016. The building sold and I ended up trying a few other ventures until one day I woke up and asked myself, “WHAT DO YOU WANT?” I said, “I want to do retail but something small!” Within 30 minutes this historic PEMCO gas station on Route 66 was posted on Facebook! I immediately knew, that’s it! A souvenir shop in a gas station on Historic Route 66! At that stage I created a mascot named Buck Atom Space Cowboy which we now have a 20-foot tall roadside attraction of him and a 20-foot tall Space Cowgirl named Stella Atom! 

Route 66 is known worldwide and plays a key role in Tulsa’s history. How do you see the impact of this historic highway on Tulsa’s economy today? 

If you had driven down Route 66 in Tulsa 6 years ago it was completely different. There was no Mother Road Market, and the Meadow Gold District hadn’t been created yet. Roadside attractions are popping up left and right! The historic highway brings people from all over the world right through Tulsa when they are traveling Route 66 from Chicago to the Santa Monica Pier in California! We also have what is called the Tulsa 66 Commission that offers grants to businesses on Route 66 to help with Neon signs! We have a very supportive arts community!

What unique value does Route 66 add to your business, and how has it shaped your connection to the community? 

Route 66 is THE reason I opened my shop. If there wasn’t a Route 66 there would be no Buck Atom, no Meadow Gold Mack’s or Buck’s Vintage. The value is the magical history of Route 66. If you haven’t watched the Pixar film Cars in a while, I suggest you watch it! THAT is what it is ALL ABOUT! It’s shaped my personal connection with the community by bringing all types of people together! 

As we approach the holiday season, how can people support your business, and why is shopping local so important for the community? 

THIS. This question is so incredibly important and I think about it every single day. People can help support my business by purchasing products and gifts from us. They can do that in store or online! We just opened Meadow Gold Mack’s right next to the historic Meadow Gold Neon sign earlier this year and we house OVER 60 local artists and vendors. From vintage, candles, vinyl, t-shirts, books, art and SO MUCH MORE! The other way to support is to share with all of your friends about the shops! We now have Buck Atom’s, Meadow Gold Mack’s and Buck’s Vintage. All located in the Meadow Gold District that has so many other shops and restaurants to visit!

What advice or insights would you share with fellow small business owners? Any tips or lessons you’ve learned along the way? 

Advice I would share is to do whatever it is that you do with PASSION. You have to go all in with your drive and love for what it is that you do. I am 52 years old and continue to learn every single day. In this day and age so many people shop online and we have created an experience which is not as common as it used to be. CREATE AN EXPERIENCE.