7-Eleven, Campus Glenwood permanently closed to make way for high-rise complex
The Campus Glenwood Restaurant and the 7-Eleven near the University of Oregon on Alder Street and 13th Avenue have closed permanently closed their doors.
The two buildings will be demolished later this summer for an upcoming, 12-story apartment complex.
On Thursday, workers were loading trucks with metal shelves from the 7-Eleven, pulling them from the storefront that is now boarded up with wood sheets.
Students told The Register-Guard that the convenience store was an important part of campus they will miss, losing an easy place to pick up snacks or caffeinated drinks on their way to class.
"The 7-Eleven I feel like is a staple for students, because it's just so close to campus, and I always stop by to get a coffee or Yerba Mate in the morning," said UO junior Liam Sherry as he walked to campus on Thursday. "It definitely sucks I can't get that anymore there."
'Months of tears' leading up to last days
The Campus Glenwood, which was a popular breakfast and lunch restaurant for the UO community and other Eugene residents, had its final day of service April 3, according to owner Jacqui Willey.
The Glenwood restaurant location in south Eugene at 2588 Willamette St. is not affected by the campus restaurant's closure and remains open.
While Willey said in November she wanted to sell the building as she moved toward retirement, the last few days of service were emotional, she said Thursday.
"It's been a month of tears, that's for sure," Willey told The Register-Guard.
Willey said demolition is anticipated to start in mid-to-late August, based on her recent discussions with the developers. Willey said she is also trying to save some of the unique features of the building to keep before it's torn down, such as the custom-made large windows from the dining rooms, and the columns holding up the porch spaces.
Previous coverage:UO campus Glenwood restaurant and 7-Eleven will be demolished for high-rise apartments
One note on the restaurant's front door reads, "With gratitude for all the support," and another says anyone interested in buying items from the restaurant can find them up for auction at piauctioneer.com. A total of 209 items are up for bidding, including chairs, kitchen equipment, paintings and more, with the auction ending May 18.
A few of the employees from the Campus Glenwood moved over to the Willamette location, some were offered a position there but did not respond, and some were laid off or left the restaurant industry, Willey said.
Calls to 7-Eleven's corporate office asking when the store was shut down were not returned Thursday.
Incoming high-rise one of three in area
The incoming apartment complex is called "The Ellis" and is intended to serve a mix of UO community members and the broader community, according to the project's application.
Plans for the 12-story building show it having roughly 6,000 square feet for retail space, a 10-space parking garage and a second-floor courtyard with a pool between the residential spaces.
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The planned complex is one of three set to go up along 13th Avenue next to campus, which for decades was dominated by one- and two-story restaurants and stores. The two others are a mixed-use development planned by the Duck Store next to its flagship location, and another high-rise complex planned for the former Taylor's Bar and Grill location.
While some have voiced their support on social media of the plan create several high-rise apartments along 13th Avenue and Alder Street, UO student Sherry said he's sad to see longtime restaurants such as Campus Glenwood shut down.
"I think it's really sad; I think the housing crisis and gentrification of cities, especially on the West Coast have really been exacerbated recently," Sherry said.
Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: 7-Eleven, Campus Glenwood permanently close to make way for high-rise
