Iconic 1980s Mojave Desert diner made famous by cult movie on the cusp of closing as Route 66 withers into hollowed-out husk on its 100th anniversary

Bagdad Cafe, the Mojave Desert diner made famous by the 1987 cult film, is at risk of closing after the pandemic sharply reduced business. Its possible loss comes as Route 66 approaches its 100th anniversary, highlighting the difficulties facing places that depend on visitors to a historic highway.

Andrea Pruett and her husband bought the cafe in 1995, and she kept welcoming visitors through personal hardships and the closure of its kitchen. A 2023 tropical storm damaged the roof, which fan Sarah Woodall helped fund repairs for; the cafe now relies on merchandise sales and visitors, as tourists alone have not sustained daily operations. Pruett died earlier this year, according to the article.