Full Breakdown
Bagdad Café Struggles to Remain Open as Route 66 Marks Its Centennial
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
The Bagdad Café in Newberry Springs, California—a landmark celebrated in the 1987 German film *Bagdad Cafe*—is confronting an uncertain future. After the death of longtime owner Andrea Pruett in January, the café’s kitchen remains closed, and the site relies on souvenir sales and donations while supporters work to repair its roof, ceiling, and septic system.
Background & Context
For more than three decades, Pruett greeted travelers from around the world, often joining French tourists in song on the counter. The café’s décor—dollar bills, flags, license plates, and jerseys—has drawn both American road-trippers and European visitors, especially those drawn by the film’s cult status. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, international tourists and tour buses accounted for roughly 80 % of the café’s revenue, according to a GoFundMe post written by Pruett. The pandemic forced a temporary shutdown, after which the café reopened offering only cold drinks.
Financial Struggles and Recent Fundraising
Years of roof leaks allowed rainwater to damage the 1950s-era building, threatening the accumulated memorabilia. In 2024, a GoFundMe campaign raised enough money to replace the roof and interior ceiling. A separate GoFundMe now seeks donations to reopen the kitchen and upgrade the septic system, while the sale of T-shirts and replica boomerangs—designed by Alan Scott Craig, who appeared in the film—provides a primary source of income.
Official Statements & Responses
The café’s website states that the next goal is to reopen the kitchen before preserving the historic stop for future travelers. The Pruett family has indicated that it is still determining the landmark’s long-term future, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
What’s Next
Supporters continue to solicit donations to fund kitchen repairs and septic upgrades. The café remains open daily for visitors to view the iconic site and purchase memorabilia while the restoration effort proceeds.