House of Speed: New Neon goes up on Route 66 in Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. (KOAM) — New neon is going up today on Joplin’s Main Street and Route 66.

House of Speed, 610 Main Street, features Speed Dealer Customs, custom items for motorcycles, limited edition gear, Route 66 memorabilia … Also it’s a sort of museum to motorcycle lovers too with special bikes on display.

Owner Frank Naaykens tells KOAM’s Shannon Becker they hope to open by the end of the year. But before then they have some special events happening.

“House of Speed isn't just a retail space, it will be a journey through time—A destination for all to come to share stories and have a good time making memories. At the heart of it all is Frank, our visionary, he's the mastermind who has been fueled with a passion for two wheels his whole life,” House of Speed state recently.

“Starting with his first adult purchase, a 1977 Yamaha 125 he bought all on his own for $801. This legendary bike is just one of many pieces that will be on display to tell a story of how it all began.”

House of Speed will become a destination of the many thousands of motorcycles who travel Route 66 every year. A place to connect with others who love bikes and have stories to share. It’s what’s commonly called, “shop talk!”

“ At Speed Dealer Customs, we pride ourselves with designing, creating & delivering the best custom motorcycle parts. From ordering nothing but the highest-quality materials, to crafting & delivering rock solid designs, we are dedicated to putting our absolute best effort into every piece we create.“

— Speed Dealer Customs

They will hold their first event with FXT Tours on October 15 as they roll through Joplin on Route 66.

“ Our first event at the 𝓗𝓸𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓢𝓹𝓮𝓮𝓭 ‼️ While it’s not a grand opening, it’s a warm welcome for an awesome crew of FXR builders from the @fxrtour_official. If you’re not following them yet, head over and check out these talented builders who are crafting their FXRs from the ground up. This is their second year, and we’re pumped to be their second stop on the tour! So come check out some awesome one of a kind builds and see what’s happening at the House of Speed. The FXR Tour group should roll in 4pm-5pm, we will post updates!”

They will have some 𝗟𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗗 T-shirts the day of the event on a first-come basis. When they are gone — they gone.

HISTORY OF 610 SOUTH MAIN

The business that is memorable at this location is Coulter McGuire Millinery.

Downtown Joplin Alliance give us a history of the building in one of their past Wednesday Walkabouts where they feature downtown spots:

“The Muenning Building, immediately to the south of City Hall, vacant for several years, originally linked with the neighboring building to the south (612 S. Main) and they shared a central stair. This stair was removed and the building effectively divided by 1954. The Muenning Building first appears on the 1888 Sanborn map, at which time the tenant in the north half was a furniture and sewing machine store. Later occupants include a harness shop (1896), a saloon (1906), and other various retail establishments, including Coulter McGuire, a haberdashery specializing in high end suits and hats. The original foiled glass nameplates have already been uncovered! Check out the old postcard image that shows the impressive sign that used to front the building!”

Sign Brothers of Pittsburg, Kansas created the memorable sign that’s going up . CDL Electric are installing the sign.