Welcome to The Bent Door
The Bent Door on Route 66
We are Roy and Ramona Kiewert, and we purchased The Bent Door on July 21, 2006.
Robert Harris built the Bent Door in 1947, and in 1995 saved it from demolition. Mr. Harris passed a few years ago, before he could restore the property. We plan to finish the restoration that he started.
The Bent Door will be a 1950s diner/malt shop with a patio out back for outside dining. We will also include a souvenir shop and grocery store. The World War II control tower area will feature Texas tourist information. We are hoping to encourage travelers on Interstate 40 to stop in Adrian for a spell.
The garage will house some history of Route 66, from the original dirt trail, to the Mother Road, and it’s current state. Route 66 has a place in everyone’s heart, with hope for a better future just down the road.
On the other hand, maybe that best future is right here in Adrian, Texas: Midpoint on Route 66.
Our present home is in Nacogdoches, Texas, and with Roy on the road much of the time (he’s a long-haul trucker) our work days will have to be long and hard when we get to Adrian. We plan on opening June 1, 2007, and will schedule a grand opening celebration later in the summer of 2007. Check in here often for updates on our progress!
Thanks for your interest,
The Bent Door
Roy & Ramona Kiewert
Adrian, TX
Hi, I’ll be passing through after festival in Clinton in June and will definitely stop in.
Barbara we look forward to seeing you. Ramona & Roy
Congratulations. Can’t wait to be able and come visit. The best of luck on your new venture. I am sure that it will be a great success. It is always cool when someone takes something that has such history and brings it back to life.
hi, we are so proud of you two and enjoy following your progress. and you have made a lot. looking forward to seeing it for real.
Hi, My 14 year old daughter and I ( her 50 year old dad ) will travel the Mother Road, for the first time, this Summer June 18- sometime in July. We hope that everything goes as planned because you are on our list of stops.
Cathy we are looking forward to having you visit. Thanks for the encouragement. Ramona
MOM and DAD Thanks for all your encouragement and support. Thanks Roy and Ramona
Dennis and Daughter, We are working hard and hope to be open at least in part this summer. Keep in touch. Roy and Ramona
It’s refreshing to know there are folks like you out there who are working to keep Route 66 alive! Thank you! Much success! I’ll be by to see you.
It’s so nice to hear the good news! I had a chance to interview Bob Harris and Tommy Loveless in 2001 for my article on the Bent Door in Federation News. They were both hoping someone would come along and ressurect the cafe in some capacity. I look forward to visiting!
Joe thanks for your intrest in the Bent Door. We look forward to meeting you. See you at the Bent Door. R&R
Steve Rider, I would like to talk to you some more about that interview. You can E-mail me at rhrfkiewert@suddenlink.net Roy has really been working hard on the Bent Door Kitchen area. He is there about 2-3 days a week.
RJ,
Best of luck with your venture! I know you can do it because you are so determined and dedicated to this project. May all your hard work, determination and wishes be successful! GOD BLESS! BJ
Betty thanks for your encouragement. Gods Blessings to you.
Hi,
I stumbled across this site and I love what you’re doing. Any recent pictures of the restoration? Our children are almost raised and we would love to do something like this in a few years. Best of luck.
Congratulations!! We will be stopping by the first week of October as we travel Route 66 from St. Louis to California with 10 couples from the Gateway GTO Club. Look forward to meeting you.
Was there last week and the building was locked up. A television was on inside but we saw no one around. Still lots of restoration needed. Would have loved to have had lunch in the setting!
Hey – how’s the restoration going? Think of you often and wish you all the best. Hope the economy or other outside forces hasn’t quenched your dreams.
Just wanted to see if this is functioning. ~jeff