Route 66 · Edwardsville, IL
A Route 66 coffee stop. In Edwardsville, Illinois.
Plaid Coffee Roasters is opening in the old Hi-Way Cafe, on a historic stretch of Route 66. A hand-painted mural now covers the east wall, and travelers are already pulling off the road to see it.
The mural
A 50-foot homageto the Mother Road.
The mural on our east wall is a hand-painted Route 66 tribute, about 50 feet wide and 12 feet tall. It was designed by Jim Harper, who is opening Plaid with Trevor Taynor and Kim Goodner, and painted by Kelly Lee of Hype of Type, with Krista Brees assisting.
Harper wanted a Route 66 piece that did not look like every other Route 66 piece. The mid-century diner in it is a nod to the old Edwardsville A&W. The classic trucks are real, borrowed from friends and family, including Trevor, Harper, and city alderman S.J. Morrison. It was created in connection with the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau for the Route 66 Centennial.
The building
A landmarkon the old route.
The building at 463 E. Vandalia Street has stood on Route 66 in Edwardsville for decades. It was the Hi-Way Cafe and Tavern, then Neumann's Bar, among other businesses. The Plaid family bought it in 2024, renovated it, and are turning four thousand square feet of history into a roastery and coffee bar. The original bar stays in place and becomes the coffee bar, with the roaster room visible from the floor.
Planning a stop?
Pull over. The mural is here now.
The mural is finished and free to see any time from the lot at 463 E. Vandalia Street. The shop inside is still under construction, so come for the photo now and the coffee soon.
Get directions
Coffee on Route 66
Where to get Plaidwhile you're here.
The Vandalia Street shop is still being built, so it is not a walk-in yet. Until it opens, the freshest Plaid coffee is a short drive away at 222 Artisan Bakery, 222 St. Louis Street in Edwardsville. Every cup there is a Plaid roast, and retail bags are stocked at the counter.
Prefer to take it with you? Order any of our eight small-batch roasts online for shipping, or set up a subscription. Each one is named for a Scottish place, roasted to order in Edwardsville.
Frequently asked
Route 66 questionsanswered.
Is Plaid Coffee on Route 66?
Yes. Plaid Coffee Roasters is opening at 463 E. Vandalia Street in Edwardsville, IL, on a historic stretch of Route 66. The building is the former Hi-Way Cafe and Tavern, a longtime landmark on the route, and a hand-painted Route 66 mural now covers the east wall.
Can I see the mural now?
Yes. The mural is finished and visible from the parking lot at 463 E. Vandalia Street any time. The coffee shop inside is still under construction, so the mural is a free photo stop while the build continues.
Who designed and painted the Route 66 mural?
It was designed by Jim Harper, who is opening Plaid Coffee with Trevor Taynor and Kim Goodner, and painted by Kelly Lee of Hype of Type, assisted by Krista Brees. The project was created in connection with the Great Rivers and Routes Tourism Bureau for the Route 66 Centennial.
Where can I get coffee on Route 66 in Edwardsville right now?
Until the Vandalia Street shop opens, the freshest Plaid coffee is poured at 222 Artisan Bakery, 222 St. Louis Street in Edwardsville, a short drive from the mural. Every cup there is a Plaid roast, and bags are stocked at the counter. You can also order online.
What was the building before?
The building at 463 E. Vandalia Street was the Hi-Way Cafe and Tavern, and later Neumann's Bar, among other businesses. It has been a recognizable landmark on Route 66 in Edwardsville for decades. The Plaid family bought and renovated it in 2024 for the new shop.