The Patels’ American Dream and the Western Motel’s Route 66 Revival
The cameras may have stopped rolling after *Lights, Camera, Sayre,* but the next act on Sayre’s stretch of Route 66 is already flickering to life—beneath a weather-worn neon sign where Chetan and Chhaya Patel are working to bring the Western Motel, and a bit of the town’s soul, back to life.
For the Patels, this project is more than a business renovation. It’s a story about family, endurance, and the promise that still hums along America’s most famous highway.
FROM INDIA TO OKLAHOMA
When Chetan Patel left his small farming village in Gujarat, India, in 2002, he never imagined he’d one day call Western Oklahoma home. He first landed in Tennessee, where he and his wife Chhaya worked long hours in motels near the Smoky Mountains, saving what they could and learning the business from the ground up.
“It was a different world,” Chetan recalled. “Back home we had the farms and the green fields, but no snow. Then we saw the mountains, the trees, everything new. It was beautiful—but we worked hard every day.”
They learned the motel business one guest at a time—changing sheets, checking in travelers, and dreaming of one day owning a place of their own. That dream found a home in Sayre. They weren’t just chasing business ownership—they were looking for a place that felt like home.
In 2011, the couple joined Chetan’s sister in Sayre, partnering to manage the Western Motel, a classic Route 66 stop built during the highway’s mid-century heyday. By 2016, the Patels had taken full ownership.
“We like it here,” Chhaya said simply. “It’s quiet, it’s friendly, and people help each other. That’s why we stay.”
Both became proud U.S. citizens—Chhaya first in 2006, Chetan a few years later. They’ve built a life and raised their family here, forming friendships and keeping the lights on even as travel trends shifted and small-town traffic slowed.
SETBACKS AND STRENGTH Their journey hasn’t been without hardship. In 2022, while Chetan was out of town, the motel was robbed—a moment that shook the family but also reminded them how deeply they had become part of the community.
“It was scary,” Chhaya said softly, recalling the night she and her son faced intruders alone. “But people came to check on us. They cared.”
The next morning, neighbors checked in. Friends called. That’s when the Patels say they truly understood what it means to belong to Sayre.
Even after that, they stayed. They repaired, reopened, and kept welcoming travelers who found warmth behind the modest neon sign.
A SIGN OF RENEWAL
Now, the couple is focused on restoring that very sign. Perched above the old Western Motel, its bold red letters and flickering tubing have welcomed travelers for decades. Time and Oklahoma weather have taken their toll.
“Everybody who stops tells me, ‘We’ve never seen a sign like this before,’” Chetan said. “They love it. They tell me, ‘You have to fix it— turn the lights on again.’” The motel owners see the sign not just as metal and glass, but as a promise—to travelers, to Sayre, and to the town’s next chapter.
Working with the Route 66 Association, they’ve begun the process of raising funds to fully restore the sign in time for the highway’s 100-year anniversary in 2026. With the total restoration estimated at $36,000, a Route 66 Association grant could cover nearly half the cost. The couple has saved $8,000 themselves and are asking the community to help raise the final $10,000 to bring the sign back to life.
“We’re not just fixing a sign,” Chetan said. “We’re helping the town shine again.”
WHY IT MATTERS
In many ways, the Western Motel’s neon beacon mirrors Sayre’s own story—a town once glowing with Route 66 traffic, now rediscovering its spark. From the *Lights, Camera, Sayre* project to renewed interest in historic landmarks, Sayre’s comeback is built on people willing to invest in hope. Restoring the Western Motel sign would give travelers another reason to stop, look around, and fall in love with the town.
Every bright bulb helps draw more travelers off the highway and into town, where they fill local restaurants, visit shops, and fuel small-business recovery.
“We want more people to stop, to see Sayre, to stay,” Chetan explained. “More traffic in town is good for everyone.”
The couple also hopes to make small improvements around the property—adding landscaping near the sign and creating a comfortable seating area where guests can relax in what used to be the motel’s pool courtyard.
But the sign comes first. “If we can get the light working again,” Chetan said, “people will notice. They’ll come back.”
COMMUNITY COLLABORATION
That vision is gaining momentum. The Patels plan to partner with local volunteers and organizations to meet their goal. A GoFundMe campaign is being set up with a target of $10,000, and they hope to set up a booth during Sayre’s downtown Halloween and Fall Festival to spread the word.
“We didn’t think about that before,” Chhaya admitted with a smile. “But we can do it. Maybe we’ll meet more people, and they can see what we’re trying to do.”
A new GoFundMe campaign, launched under the title “Restore Sayre’s Iconic RT 66 Landmark,” has already started drawing local support. As of this week, it had raised about $200 toward its $4,000 goal, with community members including Patricia Allen among the early donors.
The fundraiser page features a photo of the motel’s colorful neon cactus sign glowing against the night sky—a reminder of how much Route 66 still defines Sayre’s identity.
Those wishing to contribute can find the campaign by searching “Restore Sayre’s Iconic RT 66 Landmark” on GoFundMe.
LIGHTING THE WAY FORWARD
Business has been challenging in recent years. Some weeks, only one or two rooms fill. But even through slow seasons and tough odds, the Patels remain optimistic.
“We try our best,” Chetan said. “Sometimes it’s hard, but we keep going. That’s life. You work, you save, and you help your town.”
For a family that came halfway around the world seeking opportunity, Sayre has become both a destination and a dream realized. The restoration of the Western Motel’s sign isn’t just about lights or lettering— it’s a tribute to resilience, to belonging, and to the enduring heartbeat of Route 66.
As Sayre steps back into the spotlight, the Western Motel may soon glow again—not just as a beacon for travelers, but as proof that the American Dream still burns brightest when neighbors work together to keep it alive.
HOW TO HELP
Western Motel Sign Restoration Fund Goal: $10,000 Grant Partner: Route 66 Association Fundraiser Table: Sayre Downtown Halloween Festival Contact: Chetan and Chhaya Patel, Western Motel, Sayre, OK GoFundMe link: Search “Restore Sayre’s Iconic RT 66 Landmark” on GoFundMe
