The historic Buffalo Inn restaurant and lounge along Route 66 in Upland, California, closed unexpectedly this week and may remain shuttered for good, reported columnist David Allen for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin.
It was reported in 2012 the restaurant at 1814 W. Foothill Blvd. — which dates to 1929 — faced an uncertain future because of bankruptcy. An article then blamed an expensive workplace accident that sapped the restaurant’s coffers. Allen also reported that a sexual harassment lawsuit that cost another $350,000, and bad management by the brother of the longtime owner also hurt the establishment.
According to the newspaper, the Facebook page of the restaurant posted this message:
Buffalo Inn is closed at this time! The US Trustee has locked the doors! We will keep you posted when we know more Thank you for your loyalty and patronage through the years!
Posted by The Buffalo Inn. est 1929 on Wednesday, April 29, 2015
Owner Richard Rinard told the newspaper the Buffalo Inn’s last day was April 22.
One of the most galling oversights was this: Upland development services director Jeff Zwack said the owners never submitted a landmark-status request that would have protected the historic restaurant from redevelopment. So the Buffalo Inn may well be bulldozed by entrepreneur who sees getting a prime piece of land for cheap. Indeed, Allen says two potential bidders for the property want it torn down.
FYI, the other brother was a much longer-time owner of the Buffalo Inn than the current one. The lawsuit that forced his exit was the culmination of many events there during his tenure that were unsavory to say the least and did not improve much when ownership was transferred. After over three decades of these mostly behind-the-scenes shenanigans, even though on “my” stretch of Route 66, this would be the only place on the Mother Road over which I would not shed a single tear if it was torn down. The unfortunate thing is that Upland’s city council won’t have the onions to make sure any new development will be fitting for such a prime spot on the road.