Bill Moon’s Iowa 80 Truckstop
Reposted from 2012
When trucking was just a gleam in some of today’s drivers’ eyes and Interstate 80 was not yet completed, the Iowa 80 Truckstop was founded. In 1964, Standard Oil built and opened the truck stop, and in September 1965, Bill Moon took over management of the truckstop for Amoco. Like many of the truckstops in existence at the time, Iowa 80 was a small facility that only took up a fraction of what it does today, housing a small truckers store, one lube bay and a restaurant run by the Peel family.
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| The Iowa 80 Truck Jamboree |
Under Mr. Moon’s keen management, the truckstop began to grow and in 1984 Bill Moon purchased the truckstop from Amoco, that like the industry itself, has been a flurry of activity and expansion ever since. Now that it was theirs, the Moon family was able to remodel, update and expand the restaurant and truckers store. The shop bays were closed to build state of the art private showers and a driver’s area, both of which were very rare in a truckstop at this time. In 1989, Iowa 80 added a new store probably most famous for, other than its chrome selection, the 1918 Oldsmobile hoisted above the cashier island.
Three years later, in 1992, Iowa 80 Truckstop expanded its fuel center and became a Truckstops of America franchisee. This move gave Iowa 80 the opportunity to associate with a nationally recognized name and at the same time maintain its independence. Truckstops of America would also serve as a connection to the trucking fleets that had grown over the years. And one year later, Iowa 80 opened its TA Service Center. Sadly, 1992 also marked the year that Mr. Bill Moon passed away, but his family is still operating the truckstop as he would have wanted — focusing on the customer and you are sure to find someone from the Moon family on the grounds any given day.
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| The late Bill Moon |
Mr. Moon’s focus on the customer is what sparked the beginning of theWalcott Truckers Jamboree, now preparing to celebrate its 33rd year. This huge driver appreciation event has evolved over the years and serves as an example for other truckstops and towns that hold such events. The Jamboree began as the Moon family’s way of thanking their driver customers and continues to do so today as a celebration of the trucking industry with a pork chop cook-out, Super Truck Beauty Contest, Live Entertainment, exhibits and an antique truck display that is partially comprised of the Moon family collection. Many of the trucks are displayed year-round in the truckstop building and on the grounds. The place is a tribute to the trucking industry with antique trucks, pumps, toys and hundreds of photos displayed throughout
With the completion of its $4 million expansion project in 1994, Iowa 80 TA Truckstop widened the gap as the largest truckstop in the world. The truckstop now boasts the Iowa 80 Kitchen, it’s new 300-seat restaurant with a 50-ft. salad bar, one-of-a-kind Truckers Warehouse Store, 24 private showers, 60-seat Dolby Surround Sound® movie theater, Driver’s Den, two Game Rooms, Embroidery Center, Vinyl Graphics Shop, Barber, Dentist, TA Service Center, Truckomat truck wash, CAT Scale, state-of-the-art Fuel Center, Wendy’s and Dairy Queen in the Food Court and a Blimpie located in the Fuel Center and parking for 800 tractor-trailers, 250 cars and 20 buses.
In 1997, the Iowa 80 Catalog was born. Drivers can now order everything they want from Iowa 80 Truckstop even if their schedule or route doesn’t take them to Walcott. Drivers have the choice of ordering by phone from the catalog or ordering on-line, 24 hours a day, at www.iowa80.com.
The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, a dream of Bill Moon, Iowa 80’s founder opened in July of 2008. The museum houses many of the Moon Family’s antique trucks and transportation memorabilia. Museum tours are available by appointment.
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| HIGHWAY AMERICA |
Iowa 80 completed yet another expansion in 2006. Iowa 80’s New 30,000 sq. foot Super Truck Showroom features everything from chrome bumpers to lights to cleaning supplies. The new addition, boasts two full size tractors and a tractor-trailer inside the building. They have been incorporated into the design and are used to display new interior and exterior chrome and stainless products as well as lights so drivers can see how the merchandise actually looks installed on a truck.
The Super Truck Showroom includes a staff of truck accessories experts to assist drivers who are customizing their trucks. A wall of lights will be displayed so drivers can see what every single type of light sold will look like lit up. The Custom Shop features a vinyl graphics shop, custom t-shirt shop, laser engraving and an embroidery center rolled into one. Drivers can see their designs come to life. There is also a balcony from the second floor overlooking the Super Truck Showroom where drivers can just stand and soak in all of the chrome and lights.
Iowa 80 has also remodeled the rest of the main building. More bathrooms have been added and the Convenience Store and Food Court have been expanded, adding Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express, Orange Julius and Caribou Coffee.
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Over the years drivers have seen a lot of changes in truckstops and the amenities they offer. For drivers Iowa 80 TA Truckstop has been a home away from home and they’ve watched it transform from a small facility into the largest, most respected truckstop in the world. And each one of those drivers know that even though Iowa 80 has changed, their friendly service and commitment to truckers has remained the same. Iowa 80 is always focused on serving the professional driver better.
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