Nestled on the busy southwest corner of Randall and Third Street, the otherwise unassuming building at 1102 West Third Street has housed several businesses since it was constructed in 1908.
It was a waterbed store in the early days, back when waterbeds were a bedroom staple throughout countless American homes.
Later, the commercial structure transformed into an autobody shop.
However, few owners have made a more signifi cant impact than Melody Murray, the proprietor and collector behind the Bazaar on 66.
During Murray’s six years with the Bazaar, she has packed the metal frame with fine collectibles and funky oddities defining Route 66. It has been Americana at its finest — delicate antiques from a refined yesteryear and hilarious gag gifts that equally define Murray’s personality.
But, last week, Murray legally closed on the property. She has until July 14 to vacate her massive inventory from the historic intersection officially.
“It is bittersweet,” Murray admitted. “I’m excited to see what comes next for this beautiful building and my life, but I’m a little sad to shut this chapter that has brought me much joy and so many new friends.”
When Murray founded her new boutique in 2017, it looked different from today’s world-famous Bazaar. Initially, she planned to sell brand-new apparel and accessories.
“If you remember, I started strictly as the ‘phony gift store’ that also had clothing pretty similar to what everyone else was selling,” Murray recounted. “I don’t think anything really set us apart from everyone else in those early days.”
But, then, a happenstance friendship with Harley Elijah Russell III, owner of the Sandhills Curiosity Shop in Erick, changed Murray’s perspective and business plan.
Murray now affectionally calls Russell her “mentor.” She even sells photograph stickers and her and the bearded, overalls-clad Russell.
“Harley taught me a lot about finding hidden gems that were special and worth more than beneath the eye, but the big thing that he taught me was to make my store my own,” Murray said. “His lessons have been invaluable.”
Through the years, Murray also acquired rare finds from Harley.
One sign she had in her building for years originated from another Route 66 legend — Ann’s Chicken Fry Dinner in Oklahoma.
“Justin Thomas had bought basically everything from Ann’s when it closed,” explained Murray. “You can google Ann’s. That diner was famous on the Road and is a big part of Route 66 history. Well, I wanted that sign, but Harley ended up outbidding me. He then insisted that we take my car to pick it up. Harley said it was a piece of junk, and if you know anything about how much Harley likes signs, you know that means something. So he gifted it to me, and it has been on my building ever since. People from all over the world have taken photographs of that sign.”
Like so many items on and in Murray’s store, the sign tells a story. Murray is proud that the sign has found a new home on Route 66 and will continue to be part of the allure of the Mother Road.
“That sign that started out at Ann’s on Route 66, that sign that has spent so many years on my building on Route 66, now has a new home on the Road. A guy named Michael Jones has taken it over. He has one of the nicest, classiest, coolest shops on Route 66 in Gasoline Alley in Sapulpa. He has some of my other things and will make a corner with my stuff. He photographed us with that sign he will have in his store. So if anyone is that way, they should go check it out,” she stated.
Murray added, “I think it is pretty neat that the sign will remain on Route 66. That is where it belongs.”
Even with many items already gone, Murray’s building remains nearly packed. She notes that some things aren’t for sale and simply will never be.
In her six years of collecting and junking, Murray has gotten first dibs on several rare estates.
“There are a few things I will never part with,” Murray explained. “I can’t keep it all, of course, but I am going through and making boxes of those things and putting them in my car. Everything is not only for sale, but it is on sale.”
And those items are too varied to list in entirety.
Murray’s store seemingly has everything — from American artifacts to vintage apparel and jewelry to home decor from every era.
“I’ve made several sales the last few days when a customer has been looking at something, and I have just said, ‘You see that price? Well, let’s take 50% off and send it home with you,” Murray said.
Murray knows she has a lot of work ahead as she prepares to close the doors on her beloved Bazaar on 66. She plans to take a month off to travel and work as she has always done.
“I definitely plan to go see friends I have made along the way who are also on the Road,” Murray said. “A few are people I haven’t met in person yet but are part of the Route 66 community. We all try to help promote each other. Then I have made friends who travel Route 66, people from all over the world. My store brought many great people and interesting things through my door. None of that would have happened if I hadn’t listened to my mentor Harley. I created a store that was an extension of who I am. I am going to miss it.”
