ROUTE 66 Classic Grill's LEGACY Depends on YOU!

Hi, my name is Christy. I want to expose an injustice happening quietly right underneath our noses in the Santa Clarita Valley. There are some people involved who don't want anyone to know what they are doing, especially if they can get away with this travesty. Many of you already know more than I can safely write here, so go ahead and get the word out and talk amongst yourselves. On behalf of the community and Route 66 Classic Grill, we profoundly appreciate your support!!

 

Route 66 Classic Grill is, and always has been the heartbeat of the community for 23 years. In a city of over 230,000 residents, Route 66 is the only establishment to consistently host a wide variety of exciting events! There isn't anyone else in the Santa Clarita Valley offering Weekly Bike Nights, and Monthly Car Shows anywhere in town. Also, no one presents Concerts and Special Charity Events the way they do it at Route 66 Classic Grill, so it is obvious why it would be an extreme void in the community to lose this.

 

Route 66 Classic Grill is more than a restaurant; it is a piece of Santa Clarita history! This iconic spot holds the record for the longest running Monthly Car Shows in Southern California!!

 

Eventually, there comes a time when every business owner must face their future retirement. Route 66’s founder and owner, George Thomas thought that after almost a quarter of a century, that’s just what he would do, so almost 3 years ago he started to consider selling his beloved Route 66 Classic Grill and looking forward to a peaceful retirement. There were several interested parties and offers being presented to purchase his amazing, one-of-a-kind creation. Initially, one set of buyers stood out above the crowd. George Thomas thought these buyers were ambitious enough and seemed to share the same love for Route 66 that he has and could be the best choice for continuing his Legacy of Route 66 and maintain the environment that his grandchildren’s children might enjoy one day. With the promise from these buyers to keep the Route 66 theme and culture alive (with a few updates for the changing times) George Thomas decided to accept their purchase offer in the fall of 2019.

 

Fast forward through two and a half years of the Pandemic and shut down nightmares… Thankfully, with tons of support from our wonderful Santa Clarita Community and surrounding areas, Route 66 managed to survive! Even though the buyers delayed the sale multiple times throughout the last two and a half years, George felt they would not delay any further. Unfortunately, nothing could have been further from the truth. Due to no fault of Route 66 or the owner George Thomas, the purchase was held up, cancelled (due to Covid) and re-started, and delayed once again. After being very patient with the buyers and jumping through every hoop thrown at George, he had finally reached the finish line with the purchaser (or so he thought) only to be stonewalled by them once again. Being that Santa Clarita is a close-knit community, word spread fast around town that this has been an incredibly difficult and tumultuous transaction. It is disappointing to see that everything you have worked so hard for (for 23 years) can be under threat of being stolen away from you.

It has been said that the spirit of Santa Clarita is by far, a collaboration of strength. Let it also be known that the culture of the revered "Route 66 Classic Grill" is one of comradery and perseverance. A multitude of devoted "Friends and Family of Route 66" have approached us wanting to help, urging us to create a platform for the community to assist with the legal fees that Route 66 is being faced with to proactively protect itself and keep its doors open. The assistance received in any amount is deeply appreciated and is not only for the community to retain its iconic venue... It is also about the faithful staff who have worked at Route 66 through thick and thin, and in the best and worst of times, who are dependant on their income earned at Route 66.

 

The future of Route 66 Classic Grill and the LEGACY that George Thomas wants to leave behind for future generations, depends on its devoted supporters in the community. If you have ever enjoyed a drink, a meal, or a special event with friends or family at Route 66 Classic Grill, or if you have been one of our longtime friends and family, at any time over the past 23 years, we hope that you will stand with us today and show your support in this emergency situation. We must act fast if we are going to be able to preserve Santa Clarita’s long-standing pillar in the community!!

 

George Thomas, founder and owner of Route 66 Classic Grill has poured everything he has into this restaurant over the last 23 years, and has been quoted to proudly state, “Route 66 Classic Grill has been my greatest joy and greatest pain. When it is said the one puts their ‘blood, sweat, and tears’ into a project, I understand this to the core of its meaning. Route 66 is and has been my identity, my life, and all of my loyal patrons and staff are so much more than a customer or employee to me, they truly are my friends and have become my family.”

 

Please join us! After everything that Route 66 has stood for over the past 23 years, where many important Charity Fundraisers have taken place and where many lifelong memories have been made. We encourage you to remember what Route 66 Classic Grill means to the community that it has been faithfully serving for 23 years. Please join us today as we stand behind this well deserving cause to help keep the Route 66 Classic Grill's legacy alive and to show our support for this unique family restaurant that has given so much to us all!       

~ Thank you!