More than a year ago, Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain in Southern California, purchased the entire Route 66 town of Amboy, Calif. He was hoping to restore the cafe, gas station and perhaps the motel to some semblance of its former self.
The Ontario (Calif.) Daily Bulletin has an update today about Okura’s progress with Amboy. In short, it’s slow. He’s going to be spending another $50,000 to get electricity restored to the gas station. He still needs to spend money to install septic systems, which the town didn’t have. He’s also trying to get water service in Amboy — no small task for an isolated town in the middle of the Mojave Desert.
“I didn’t buy Amboy to make money, I bought it because I thought it was the right thing to do,” he said. “I don’t view Amboy as a money-making venture. I’ll be happy to break even.”
In the past, hungry travelers on Route 66 could stop at Roy’s for a meal and a cold drink before continuing their journeys through the Mojave. For the time being, drivers can forget about the food, though they can still get that drink. Larry Stevens, Amboy’s caretaker, sells bottled water and commemorative T-shirts from Roy’s dining room.
The water, Stevens said, sells for only $1 per bottle. He could probably charge a lot more, but he said there’s no reason to discourage people from drinking water while driving through the Mojave Desert.
Here’s a Web site devoted to Roy’s, the most prominent business in Amboy.
Hi Ron, Thanks for the update. I love Amboy as all of us do what have traveled there. Will see it againg com October…Jane
I was just in Amboy last week. (Sept 9th, then on the 11th) I hit it on the way to the end of 66, and on the way back.
Both times there was no one there and the buildings were open except the main one. The second time though, not only where the small cabins open, but the gate to the motel was open, *and* the post office across the street had it’s door open. Not wanting a federal offense against me, I didn’t investigate the post office.
Things being open like that worry me, since there are some who consider themselves “Mother Roaders” that have no problems with defacing things or otherwise damaging fragile remains. (I saw this too often on our trip, and it annoyed me to no end.)
It would be nice to see something done there. The famous sign is looking ready for a painting. Perhaps once electricity is restored, Okura can at least get the sign working again. What a marvelous picture that would be against a twilight sky.
I have never had the priviledge of visiting Amboy or seeing Roy’s Cafe and gas station but I liked the sign so much that I had a tattooed on my back.
How do I find out the hours for Roy’s in Amboy, CA? I would like to visit there during the holidays. Thanks, Andrew (andrewg@supportsoft.com)
Amboy isn’t officially open, so it doesn’t have any hours per se. The current owner is trying to restore the property piece by piece, and it’s taking a lot of time and money.
We stopped at Amboy on November 26. Larry Stevens is the on-site caretaker, he’s there pretty much 24/7. His phone number is 760-733-1066 or 909-653-5842 cell. His email is amboy@wildblue.net, but he says that access is unreliable.
They have temporary power only.
They have t-shirts and bottled water for sale.
According to Larry, Albert has engaged an historical architect.
There is also a volunteer group who has contacted Albert and offered their help.
i am so glad to see some activity in amboy.i have been saving up my pennys back home here in new zealand to tour rt66 mainly to see roys at amboy.I so do hope the place is open when i visit there in june/july 2007 that would really make my trip