The historic Zeno’s Motel & Steakhouse along old Route 66 in Rolla, Mo., is up for sale for $2.2 million.
The restaurant and motel, which date to 1956, is listed with Heyle Realtors in Springfield, Mo. The complex includes 50 guest rooms, an indoor and outdoor pool, banquet facilities, lounge, and the restaurant.
A longtime employee of Zeno’s alerted me to the complex being for sale. The worker said business has suffered during the downturn in the economy, and that the complex needs a new roof and other repairs.
Because several new motels have been built on the west end of Rolla, I’m certain lodging revenue at Zeno’s has taken a hit in recent years as well.
The restaurant and motel each have been regularly listed with the Route 66 Dining and Lodging Guide, published by the National Historic Route 66 Federation.
This is a very sad statement of our times. Zenos is such a nice restaurant. I guess we’ll have to get used to fast food spots and inferior wannabes. If you have ever seen their motel rooms, lets just say you’ll never see anything as special at the Holiday Inn. All the fabulous restaurants that motels used to have are going away fast. Very sad, I will really miss Zenos.