New Souvenir Shop In Wilmington, Plenty Of Gemini Giant Merchandise: Photos

WILMINGTON, IL — A public partnership not only rescued Wilmington's world-famous Gemini Giant tourist attraction from neglect and deterioration, but now he's standing tall, proud and mightier than ever thanks to the new gift shop that just opened, offering a wide assortment of Gemini Giant and Historic Route 66 merchandise.

The Landing Pad Souvenir Shop just opened this month in Wilmington. The Landing Pad is on the edge of South Island Park right before the bridge over the mighty Kankakee River. The Landing Pad is operated through the Joliet Area Historical Museum in a partnership with the Wilmington Park District and Heritage Corridor Destinations.

The Landing Pad is open noon to 6 p.m. Thursday through Monday and on most holidays and community events including Catfish Days.

On Memorial Day, it will be open from noon to 4 p.m.

The new gift store features plenty of Gemini Giant T-shirts and bowling shirts, as well as stickers and magnets.

The limited-edition Gemini Giant bobbleheads have been a tremendous seller, so far.

"With the Gemini Giant bubbleheads, this is the only run, 700 were made, and once they're gone, they're gone. Also, you can have them shipped to your home," Wilmington park district director Kirsten Van Duyne told Joliet Patch.

As for other merchandise, visitors can purchase Illinois-made honey, lip gloss and Route 66 sodas. There are books, maps and travel guides focused on the first 100 Miles of Route 66.

"It's going to be a fun summer here in Wilmington and Landing Pad is an exciting addition," Van Duyne predicted.

"On Sunday, that whole parking lot was packed," remarked Carole Billingsley, who runs the gift shop.

Billingsley predicted the Landing Pad Gift Shop will become a major destination for this summer's world-wide travelers along the Route 66 corridor.

"I think it will. I think once it gets out there," she remarked.

The Wilmington Park District is staffing The Landing Pad. The women said that a giant helmet of the Gemini Giant will be placed inside the Landing Pad for visitors to take selfies. They will also be getting a digital sign-in machine for tourists to list their home city or country.

"We're so excited it's open," Van Duyne said. "Everybody is kind of kicking their trip off in Wilmington."

Since The Landing Pad opened in May, the gift shop has had tourists visiting from Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, Kentucky, Texas and North Carolina.

"Everyone has us on their radar now," Van Duyne remarked.

Overall, Van Duyne is pleased to have The Landing Pad open.

"It's a great collaboration with the museum to expand our park district," she said. "The merchandise will swap out, and new ones in the fall and winter will include hoodies and sweatshirts."

As for the name of the gift shop, "The museum actually came up with it," Van Duyne said. "He landed and he's staying."