Can Santa Monica’s Mel’s Drive-In be saved?
Mel’s Drive-In, which preservationists call “the last bird standing” among Santa Monica’s Googie diners, faces an uncertain future. The city’s Landmarks Commission will consider it for landmark status on Dec. 14. (Suzanne Levy/LAist)
From LAist: The future of Mel’s Drive-In, the midcentury Googie-style diner at Lincoln and Olympic boulevards in Santa Monica, is up in the air.
ValueRock, the Irvine-based real estate firm that owns the property, has submitted preliminary plans to replace the diner with an eight-story apartment building.
But shortly before those preliminary plans went to the city, the Santa Monica Conservancy and the Los Angeles Conservancy were preparing to nominate the 1959 building for landmark status. Right before the groups filed on Sept. 4, ValueRock asked the Santa Monica Conservancy to hold off, according to Nina Fresco, the group’s vice president. The groups filed anyway.
Jersey Shore icon Lucy the Elephant receives new historical marker
From nbcphiladelphia.com: Lucy the Elephant, one of the Jersey Shore’s most recognizable landmarks, has received a new historical marker honoring its cultural significance and place in New Jersey history.
The New Jersey Historical Commission and Revolution NJ unveiled the marker on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2026, during a ceremony in Margate City, Atlantic County.
The marker, installed along Atlantic Avenue at the corner of Lucy Plaza, recognizes the historic roadside attraction and its role in the development of the Jersey Shore.
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
YouTuber Sarah Woodall helped the cafe raise money to fix the roof. She said it was a ‘relic of a bygone era’ and is pictured above with Pruett. Picture courtesy of Sarah Woodall
From the Daily Mail: An iconic diner in the Mojave Desert was once a must-see destination for cinephile tourists, but a series of tumultuous years after the Covid-19 pandemic has put the cafe at risk, with fans fearing it will be forced to shutter its doors before Route 66’s 100th anniversary.
The historic highway was commissioned on November 11, 1926. It has been the backdrop for countless pop culture moments, including the cult classic 1987 film Bagdad Cafe.
Andrea Pruett and her husband bought the restaurant in 1995, and it has stood as an artifact ever since.
Route 66’s legacy is more than just neon lights. It changed travel forever
A hand-painted Route 66 sign is seen on the pavement at the historic Partridge Creek Bridge, west of Ash Fork, Arizona, on Aug. 20, 2026. Mark Henle/The Republic USA TODAY Network, Reuters
From The Modesto Bee: On Nov. 11, 1926, travel in the U.S. changed forever, not because of air travel or any technology advancements but by one road.
“All of these roads ultimately have their roots in November 1926,” said Sean Evans, a scholar, historian and writer. “Route 66 is, in itself, a history of American roadbuilding and American travel.”
The nation will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Route 66 in November.
Iconic Hollywood cinema unveils historic makeover as the LA staple nears reopening
Perhaps the most recognized detail, other than the unique dome shape of the theater itself, is staying exactly the same – The red and blue Pacific’s Cinerama Theatre sign. Instagram/drafthouse
From the New York Post: Hollywood’s beloved Cinerama Dome is giving fans a sneak peek at its highly anticipated comeback — and the theater’s storied past is taking center stage.
New renderings released by the Dome and Alamo Drafthouse, the theater chain purchased by Sony in 2024, show off a retro-inspired revamp featuring wood-paneled walls, gold-toned accents and rust-colored carpeting.
The makeover pays homage to the theater’s original 1963 interiors, preserving the vintage charm that made the landmark a Hollywood fixture. And one instantly recognizable feature isn’t going anywhere: the iconic red-and-blue Pacific’s Cinerama Theatre sign.
Historic Bronx theater begins ambitious $50M revival
From WABC: FORDHAM, The Bronx — The landmarked Loews Paradise Theatre in the Bronx has officially become the Paradise Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit organization seeking to raise $50 million to restore the historic venue and keep it in use during renovations.
“Welcome to the Lowes Paradise Theatre. State of the art, 1929,” said Scott Perrin, executive director of the Paradise Performing Arts Center.
Inside, the theater remains in good condition, with its ornate décor preserved. Longtime Bronx residents may remember attending movies, graduations or other events there. The venue continues to host private events.
Uptown Theatre Owner Hopes Huge Open House Crowds Will Boost Redevelopment Efforts
Hundreds lined up to look inside the Uptown Theatre during Open House Chicago on Sunday, Oct. 18. Credit: Robert Loerzel
From Block Club Chicago: UPTOWN — Lines to get into the Uptown Theatre snaked down the block for the first time in decades over the weekend as thousands looked to get a rare glimpse of the long-shuttered movie palace.
Now, the theater’s owners and boosters are hoping the huge crowds during Open House Chicago could jumpstart talks with the city about redeveloping the historic building.
The Uptown Theatre, 4816 N. Broadway, was part of this year’s Open House Chicago, the annual festival that offers behind-the-scenes access to more than 200 sites across the city. It marked the first time the theater was open to the public since it closed in 1981.