Route 66’s Bagdad Cafe Faces an Uncertain Future at 100

As Route 66 marks its 100th anniversary in 2026, one of its most recognizable California stops is confronting an uncertain chapter. The Bagdad Cafe in Newberry Springs has long drawn road-trippers, film fans and international tourists, yet the landmark is now balancing its global reputation with the practical challenge of staying afloat.

The cafe became widely known after inspiring the 1987 German film Bagdad Cafe, which helped turn the desert outpost into a destination far beyond the Mojave. Inside, the space reflects decades of visitors: dollar bills, flags, license plates and sports jerseys cover the walls, creating a patchwork record of the people who have stopped there from around the world.

That sense of history has only deepened over time. According to a worker who spoke to Fox News Digital, the cafe has collected about 40 guest books filled with messages left by travelers over the decades. American visitors often stop because of Route 66’s place in U.S. history, while many European tourists, especially those from France, make the journey because of the film that made the cafe famous overseas.

Even with that loyal interest, the business has faced years of strain. The kitchen is currently closed, meaning visitors can still come in for photos and souvenirs, but not for meals. T-shirts have become one of the cafe’s main sources of income, and the gift selection also includes replica boomerangs designed by Alan Scott Craig, who appeared in the film, according to the cafe’s website.

A landmark shaped by one owner’s presence

The cafe’s identity was closely tied to longtime owner Andrea Pruett, who died in January at age 85. Pruett owned the business for more than 30 years and became well known for welcoming travelers from across the globe. People who worked with her remembered her warmth and energy, including moments when she would climb onto the counter and sing with French tourists visiting the cafe.

Before her death, Pruett wrote in a GoFundMe post that international tourists and tour buses once made up roughly 80% of the cafe’s business before the COVID-19 pandemic forced a temporary closure. When the cafe reopened, it could offer only cold drinks rather than full meals, a reduced operation that underscored how difficult the recovery would be.

The pandemic was not the only setback. Years of roof leaks sent rainwater into the 1950s-era building, putting decades of memorabilia at risk, according to KTLA. In 2024, supporters raised enough through a GoFundMe campaign to replace the roof and interior ceiling, an important step in protecting the building and the items left behind by generations of visitors.

Attention has now shifted to the next phase. A separate GoFundMe campaign is seeking donations to reopen the kitchen and upgrade the septic system. According to the cafe’s website, the immediate goal is getting the kitchen operating again before focusing on preserving the historic stop for future travelers.

For now, the Bagdad Cafe remains open daily to people who want to experience one of Route 66’s most iconic destinations during the highway’s centennial year. The Pruett family has said it is still determining the landmark’s long-term future, the Los Angeles Times reported. That leaves the cafe in a familiar but fragile position: still welcoming visitors, still inspiring devotion, and still relying on public support to ensure that a singular piece of Route 66 history remains standing.