Willie's Place

Willie's Place in 2010. The apostrophe in the sign is replaced with an image of a bullet hole.

Willie's Place was a 15-acre truck stop and biodiesel processing plant located in Carl's Corner, Texas that was opened in 2005 and named after Willie Nelson.[1][2][3][4] The facility was originally built circa 1980 by Carl Cornelius and named Carl's Corner.[3][5] Willie's Place was closed for a time and then reopened in 2008 after a significant expansion.[6] Willie's Place had a gas station that was the first to sell Willie Nelson Biodiesel brand biodiesel, a restaurant that specialized in Southern cuisine, a convenience store and a 750-seat concert theater for performances.[3][6][7][8] The theater had a bar and a 1,000 square feet (93 m2) dance floor, and various touring country western bands would perform there.[5][8][9] Willie Nelson also occasionally visited the site, and occasionally performed there.[5][10] The establishment also had a "display of rare country music memorabilia", along with Willie Nelson memorabilia.[5][8] Willie's Place had about 80 employees.[11] The property had giant frog sculptures that were ten feet in height, which were installed atop the gas pumps.[6]

Biodiesel processing plant

The processing plant at Willie's Place processed over two million gallons of biodiesel annually.[1]

Closure

Willie's Place closed in 2011 after a loan default occurred, which led to foreclosure and bankruptcy.[4] It was later converted into a Petro truck stop.[3][4][7]

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Becher, A.; Richey, J. (2008). American Environmental Leaders: M-Z. American Environmental Leaders: From Colonial Times to the Present. Grey House Pub. ISBN 978-1-59237-119-8. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  2. Pohlen, J. (2008). Progressive Nation: A Travel Guide with 400+ Left Turns and Inspiring Landmarks. Chicago Review Press, Incorporated. p. 341. ISBN 978-1-56976-484-8. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Anders, Helen (February 26, 2015). "Surreal life in Carl’s Corner". www.statesman.com. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Ross, Eli (February 26, 2015). "Curtain Falls On Willie's Place". KWTX News 10 | Central Texas, Waco | News, Weather, Sports. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Kelso, J.; Buckner, S. (2011). Texas Curiosities, 4th: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff. Curiosities Series. Globe Pequot. p. 42. ISBN 978-0-7627-6070-1. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc.; Carnes, T.; Harmsen, D. (2008). Fodor's Texas. Fodor's Texas. Fodor's Travel Publications. p. 298. ISBN 978-1-4000-0719-6.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Dunn, Jill (March 9, 2011). "Willie’s Place to reopen as a Petro truck stop". Overdrive. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Goldblatt, S.; Goldblatt, J. (2011). The Complete Guide to Greener Meetings and Events. The Wiley Event Management Series. Wiley. p. 1-PA90. ISBN 978-0-470-64010-4. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  9. "Williesplacetheater". williesplacetheater.com. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  10. "Goodbye to Willie’s Place Theater and Carl’s Corner, TX Truck Stop (Thanks for the great music and memories)". www.stillisstillmoving.com. March 27, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  11. Dunn, Jill. "A Creditor forecloses Willie's Place". Etrucker.com. Etrucker. Retrieved February 15, 2011.

External links

External video
Willie's Place at Carl's Corner - Willie Nelson interview with Erica Harpold