Orchard Hills Package Store — On Route 66 Since 1946

Where It All Began

The Story of a Corner on Route 66

The story of this corner begins in 1935, when O.E. Carter and Ed Lawson built a cottage-style gas station right here at the corner of Route 66 and Washington in Lebanon. Originally selling Barnsdall gasoline before converting to Phillips 66 — the building is one of the most intact examples of cottage-style Route 66 architecture in Missouri. Carter and Lawson are now inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame.

In 1946, a man named Dean Elmore saw an opportunity. Route 66 was alive with motion — carrying families, soldiers, dreamers, and the restless westward. Elmore opened Orchard Hills Package Store and began serving the people of Lebanon and travelers passing through.

The store moved — from its original rock building on Route 66 to the historic 1935 Carter & Lawson station just down the road — but the welcome stayed the same. Same promise, new address, same people. We'll take care of you.

1930s — The Carter & Lawson Phillips 66 Station · Lebanon, MO

Dean Elmore, founder of Orchard Hills Package Store — Dean Elmore · Founder · Original Orchard Hills Package Store

Why We're Different

What Makes Us Orchard Hills

01

We're Real

The building is from 1935. The store is from 1946. You can't manufacture this kind of history — you can only earn it, year by year, by showing up and taking care of people.

02

We Know You

We know most of our regulars by name and by preference. We chit chat about family, friends, good days, bad days, and the crazy Missouri weather. We're a neighborhood store where people matter more than transactions.

03

We'll Find It

Can't find what you're looking for? Tell us. We special order. We've tracked down rare Irish whiskeys, hard-to-find local wines, and just about everything in between. We love a good hunt.

04

We Belong Here

Only four owners in 80 years. That's not a business statistic — that's a statement of belonging. Orchard Hills doesn't just operate in Lebanon. It is part of Lebanon.

66

The Road Behind Us

A History on the Mother Road

1935

The Building is Born

O.E. Carter and Ed Lawson build a cottage-style Phillips 66 station at Route 66 and Washington — one of the most intact examples of Route 66 cottage architecture in Missouri. Both are inducted into the Laclede County Route 66 Wall of Fame.

1946

Orchard Hills is Founded

Dean Elmore pays a $10 deposit to the City of Lebanon and opens Orchard Hills Package Store. A receipt for that deposit still hangs inside our store today.

1971

Moving to the Historic Building

Orchard Hills moves to its permanent home — the 1935 Carter & Lawson building at the corner of Route 66 and Washington. We've been here ever since.

1993

Historic Recognition

The Route 66 Association of Missouri photographs Orchard Hills as part of an architectural survey funded by a Historic Preservation Fund grant from the Missouri DNR.

2001

The Route 66 Society

Bill Wheeler, father of second owner David Wheeler, helps organize the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society following the inaugural Route 66 Festival — the highway's 75th birthday — and serves as its first president.

2016

The Carpenters Take Over

Woodrow and Veronica Carpenter purchase the business from Dean and Phylis Evans, becoming the fourth stewards of Orchard Hills Package Store.

2021

75 Years & Complete Ownership

Orchard Hills celebrates its 75th anniversary. The Carpenters purchase the historic building from David Wheeler, uniting business and home under one family for the first time.

Today

Still Here. Still Yours.

Orchard Hills stands at the same corner it has called home since 1971, in a building that has watched Route 66 carry America's story for 90 years.

The Shelves

Everything You Need. One Historic Stop.

Beer

Domestic, import, and craft. We carry local Missouri brews alongside the classics.

Wine

Red, white, sparkling, and wines from local Missouri wineries.

Spirits

Whiskey, bourbon, vodka, rum, gin, tequila and more.

Cigarettes & Nicotine Vapes

Cigarettes plus a selection of nicotine vapes and accessories.

Pipes & Accessories

Pipes, glass pieces, and smoking accessories for the herb enthusiast.

THC

A growing selection of THC products for the modern customer.

Special Orders

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us. We special order regularly — rare whiskeys, local spirits, hard-to-find wines. We've tracked down requests that sent customers driving 60 miles just to pick up. (417) 532-4941

We Come to You

Now Delivering to Your Door

Because some days the best thing about a great bottle is not having to leave home to get it. Orchard Hills now offers local delivery — bringing Lebanon's favorite neighborhood store right to your doorstep.

Orchard Hills Package Store today — the 1935 building on Route 66

Orchard Hills Package Store · 311 E. Elm Street (Route 66) · Lebanon, MO

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Local Delivery

We deliver Monday through Friday, 10AM–5PM for just $5. Call us and we'll bring it to you.

(417) 532-4941

Order on DoorDash

Fast, convenient delivery on your schedule. Search Orchard Hills Package Store in the DoorDash app.

Same great selection. Same friendly service. Now delivered. On Route 66 since 1946 — now coming to a driveway near you.

The People

Four Owners. One Store. 80 Years.

In eight decades, only four individuals or families have owned Orchard Hills Package Store. That kind of continuity doesn't happen by accident — it happens when a business becomes a trust, passed carefully from one pair of hands to the next.

Dean Elmore founded the store and tended it for decades. His story is still present in the photographs hanging on our door and the original 1946 receipt framed inside. His grandson, David Wheeler, became the second steward.

David Wheeler's father, Bill Wheeler, helped organize the Lebanon-Laclede County Route 66 Society following the inaugural Route 66 Festival in 2001 and served as its first president. The Mother Road wasn't just passing by this family. They were helping to keep it alive.

In 2016, Woodrow and Veronica Carpenter purchased the business. In 2021 they purchased the historic building from David Wheeler — uniting business and home under one family for the first time.

The Ownership Line

Dean Elmore Founder · 1946

David Wheeler Dean Elmore's Grandson · 2nd Steward

Dean & Phylis Evans Business Only · 3rd Stewards

Woodrow & Veronica Carpenter Business 2016 · Building 2021 · 4th Stewards

Four Owners. Eight Decades. Orchard Hills is Still Providing Great Spirits on Rt 66.

Find Us

Come See Us on Route 66

Whether you're a Lebanon neighbor or a traveler on the Mother Road, there's a welcome waiting for you at the corner of Route 66 and Washington.

Address

311 E. Elm Street

Lebanon, MO 65536

Corner of Route 66 & Washington

Get Directions →

Hours

Mon – Sat

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Phone (417) 532-4941 Call Now

Delivery Available

We'll Come to You

Local delivery Monday–Friday, 10AM–5PM for just $5. Also available on DoorDash.