The California Historic Route 66 Association put out a call Monday requesting donations to Andrea Pruett, longtime owner of the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, after a series of personal and business setbacks in the past 18 months.
Tere Frank Stamoulis, posting a call-to-action on behalf of the association in a Facebook post, and other media outlets reported the Route 66 restaurant’s windows were vandalized on Aug. 5, causing yet another closure of it until they can be repaired.
The restaurant and others in California were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic and its state-mandated restrictions during much of 2020.
Worse yet, a coronavirus-related travel ban of Europeans has sapped a significant amount of business for the Bagdad, the setting for the 1987 cult film “Bagdad Cafe.” In a previous report, Pruett said French tourists make up 75% of the restaurant’s business.
A recent storm also damaged the restaurant’s roof.
Even worse, a fire in May destroyed Pruett’s house and virtually all her belongings.
“Andrea needs support from the Route 66 community,” the flyer states. “If you are in the area, stop by and grab a bite to eat. If you can, please donate.”
Donations can be mailed to:
Andrea Pruett
P.O. Box 37
Newberry Springs, CA 92365
People also can donate to Pruett through a GoFundMe campaign posted below. About $2,300 has been raised amid a $10,000 goal.
Shortly after buying it more than 20 years ago, Pruett changed the restaurant’s name from Sidewinder Cafe to Bagdad Cafe to capitalize on the film.
Another Bagdad Cafe once operated in the now-defunct Route 66 town of Bagdad, California, about 50 miles east of Newberry Springs.
(Image of the Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs, California, by Vicente Villamon via Flickr)
So the sickos are alive and well……..
That’s really sad…I can’t believe some people think it’s cool to go out and try to destroy places…let alone historic places…I hope they find the thugs respinside for the damage, and hang them from a tree
The window damage was actually not vandals. It was done by local police in pursuit of thieves who had broken in.
Thanks for passing this along Ron. While I can’t stop by for lunch, I’m skipping lunch out here in Detroit today, and sending that money (and a little more) her way.
Theives that had broken in. The owners grandson was the theif the police had so much trouble removing. I sincerely hope he is getting the help he needs.