Santa Rosa restaurant reopens faster than expected

Route 66 Restaurant, Santa Rosa

Instead of being closed for weeks, the Route 66 Restaurant in Santa Rosa, New Mexico, reopened July 30 in mere days after a lighting strike destroyed the historic eatery’s electrical system, according to last week’s print edition of the Guadalupe County Communicator.

Lightning during a sudden storm July 22 destroyed the restaurant’s electrical box and started a small fire in the kitchen area. It appeared to be a grim setback for owner and operator Patricia Velasquez, who was counting on Route 66 tourism season to boost revenue.

But instead, with the help of Teddy Astorga of Estancia-based Watt Ever Electric, the repairs were completed in a matter of days and by mid-morning Tuesday employees of the family-owned business were awaiting the arrival of an electrical inspector to give approve for the nostalgic Route 66 oasis to reopen.

Communicator publisher ME Sprengelmeyer confirmed the restaurant reopened the evening of July 30.

Velasquez told the newspaper she did a lot of praying her restaurant wouldn’t be out of commission for weeks, as originally forecast. The Route 66 Restaurant had been experiencing one of its best seasons before the lightning strike.

The restaurant has been around at least 50 years, with names that include The ShawFord Restaurant, Shawford Cafe and Lettie’s Restaurant.

(Image of the Route 66 Restaurant in 2009 by Jasperdo via Flickr)

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