The People and Stories of Route 66: Kaleena Holthaus

The Route 66 town of Oatman is known for wild burros and Wild West reenactments, which is why Pinnacles, a store owned by Kaleena Holthaus and her husband, stands out as something fresh. With its collection of goods that blends modern desert style with Route 66 charm, Pinnacles feels more like a sophisticated boutique than a traditional souvenir shop. We spoke with Kaleena to get her take on what it’s like to live and work on the Mother Road.

You’re from Iowa. What brought you to Oatman?

Yes, proud Midwest Iowa gal here! My husband brought me to Oatman for the first time in 2020 to visit his brother and sister-in-law who have two shops here (Desert Dig-Ins and Jenny & Jacks Artifacts). I was immediately enthralled. I felt transported back in time, and yet as if everything was familiar.

How did you envision Pinnacles standing apart from other Route 66 shops?

Our vision for the shop was to put a unique spin on the traditional Route 66 products by creating original logos, having fun items, handmade high-quality goods and working with local artists on items that are exclusive to our shop. 

Where do you draw inspiration for the items you carry?

I am always on the hunt for different items, including vintage things, which I love thrifting for. The shop has a mix of new goods as well as antique items. Props to my mom for my appreciation of old things.  People walk into Pinnacles and comment that they feel transported back to their childhood with the items they see, such as classic Golden Books, a Radio Flyer tricycle (that my son — “Cowboy Jayden” — rips around on greeting people as they come in), vintage cap guns and the old rocking horse with springs that sits out front of the shop. 

The “pot ur own” cactus bar is a favorite feature of Pinnacles. What do visitors love most about it?

Visitors love hands-on experiences, creating a truly unique souvenir with an item that they put together themselves. It’s a great activity for all ages and visitors — I even had one fellow on a Harley Davidson pot a cactus, ride 5,000 miles with it on his bike, then fly back to Brazil with it. That’s dedication right there! 

What kind of visitors do you see most often?

It really is a mix! The European travelers make up a big portion of who I meet: visitors from Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Poland. The list goes on. They love the American West and Route 66. They trip out on how magical and beautiful of a place Oatman is. 

Do you have a favorite customer story?

I recently had two women in their 80s — all bedazzled in bright pink Route 66 getups — who had started Route 66 in Illinois, stopped in Oatman and were traveling through to the end of Route 66 in Santa Monica. They were both cancer survivors, grateful to be alive and living out their best lives by traveling the open road and checking things off on their bucket list. Melts my heart!

How does Pinnacles reflect the spirit of Route 66?

I feel like the spirit of Route 66 is about adventures, the journey of discovery, not always knowing what’s up ahead and connecting with others. Pinnacles resonates so much with this since it was created with these aspects in mind. And it continues to thrive off them. I feel honored to travel Route 66 every day and to reflect on how grateful I am to be doing what I am doing. 

What do you hope Pinnacles contributes to Oatman and Route 66?

Positivity, uniqueness and genuine connections. What continues to fuel me is the people I get to see daily, from the locals who say their morning hellos to the visitors that come through. If I can be a positive light in this world, then my hope is that it echoes through from one person to the next, and all across the open road — Route 66 style.