Halley’s Comet disappears from the University’s galaxy By Lynda Westcott fmafakl Contributor _ VVhnl happened to Halley's Gomel7 No, not the world-famous Halley's Comet lust won shooting ac ross the night skies Iwc k in but the University district's Halley's Comet that offered Allan Hros coffee, frozen desserts, lemonade and video ar cade games to weary students seeking mental diversion from the bleary-eyed academic routine of homework and exams Owner Ric hard Aiello said his "Comet" faded into oblivion from the impact of not one, but several, occur rences an insidious decline in video-arcade Interest, the denial by his (wink to grant a loan needed to com plete an expansion and a rent increase I or these- reu sons, plus the prospect of dec reused business during the winter school break, Aiello closed Hallev s on Nov 27, 1M0] after 10 years of business Aiello opened Halley's Comet in September 10H1, end rent has gone up 70 percent sinc e that time, lie said Tile commercial sc ale for monthly rent in the Uni versity area ranges from 70 cents per square fool to SI 70, and his was at the top of the scale. Aiello said "With 2.500 square feet downstairs and 750 square feet of office space upstairs." he said. "1 could no long er make a go with )ust yogurt, game's and coffee " To inc rease revenue, Aiello had planned to add a healthy Mexican fast-food service" in the larger down stairs bac k space and had a I reu dy started remodeling (or this addition "When the I tank failed to approve my equipment loan, he said, "I had no choice hut to i lose The locked wrought Iron security gate and an orange and black "For Rent" sign abruptly announced the i losing of Halley's to the neighborhood merchants and. more importantly, to the students who liked to hang out there bec ause of its congenial atmosphere "It was a place that was friendly," said Luke Strahotn, a student at Lane Community College "I could have gotten a cheaper drink at the 7-Flov on." Strahota said, "but every day I'd go there and buy a Pepsi on my way to work because the owner was so me eand fun Strahotn, who has worked at Kinko's for more than a year, said hi- spent most of his work breaks playing pin hall at Halley's Stac le Williams, a speech pathologist pre-major at the p*ioto by S«ar< Policy' Owner Richard Aiello stands In front of the E. 13th build ing thet uted to houee hie Hatleys Comet He ehut it down in November tor Unsocial reasons. University, vnid she was in Halley's Comet three or four times a we<!k I liked the soft yogurt and the place was so friendly," she said "(The owner) knew all of our names and I liked to go there to study ” Williams said she will esp«< tally miss the freedom allowed the c ustomers of Halley s, adding, "you could even go behind the counter and got your own water and no one said anything " It is the strawberry lemonade that University fresh man Sheri Waterman will miss the most — and "the nice people working there." she said One commercial neighbor, The Shutterbug manager Lou Melick. saul Halley's Comet is a landmark and "a part of our daily schedule " Although Meln.k. like Wa terman, will miss the daily strawlterrv lemonade, he says it is Aiello's personality he'll miss most Where will these particular Comet fans go now for their regular fix of camaraderie, snacks and video games7 They all agree that the loss of this familiar part of their daily routine is a problem, and most arc going to the 7-Eleven What s next on tins tail-end strip of Kith Avenue that supports 22 businesses eight of which offer some tvpe of food7 It is likely students i an look forward to, yes, another restaurant According to the CPA firm of Charles L Stewart, which is handling the financial leasing arrangements, there are three or four serious i ontcnders for the spar e, and all are food-oriented Shirley McDowell, a partner of MTR Company, own ers of the building at HHO L 13th Ave , refused to dis cuss the potential tenants or the pending proposals for the space, saying there are too many variables to know' now who or what will replace Halley's Aiello said he hopes Halley's Comet rain be restruc tured to make another appearance in the same location I'm putting together a proposal that would involve other businesses sharing the space with me," he said But, it's not something I want to go into right now be cause it's very much in the planning stage What Aiello did want to to into is he misses the busi ness and the playful Interaction with the students "I always told the kids, 'Buy a Coke and get a free joke,' " Aiello said os ho reflected on his 10 years with Halley's Comet And. apparently, it is this out-going, friendly nature that the students don't want to lose. Williams said it best "(Aiello) made the place great, so ! wish it would work out that Halley's could stay,” he said "But I just wish he would still be there " For now, Aiello is remodeling a house in tho Univer sity arcs, hut If all goes according to his plan, Williams will got her wish And if not? "Yesterday’s history and tomorrow's a mystery, and life goes on and so do 1," Aiello said. For now, Aiello and Halley's Comet arc gone, hut like the heavenly Halley's, they leave a notable image in the memory recesses of many ,>u t* "v \v ,*> V»« 'hcl1 **,hcl' »*‘ .. m+' phulocop** r»P«'*r' ’ «,u lo h*’* • ‘*U bated on Prr'*“ 4luh»r '"lh"' lu1»l J«‘*,lc'‘ .4 r-'* "zxx“-~r; *:*• ^s^.--r ..Mil tour bo* ,,1<T1ihr ^‘vruc “ . -ovcfiwne"1' . l’u*'*"' I.U lo M«* * 4 , K»*ol on pr*'~.>,1ur''r'“lh,n j ,!<»»>*'■ , . r^sSr:^*ss:m0m M' l'» 'rs MV-rt* tv“" 'P'°‘^ a w **#» ,.Arttrv —— JMe' IM = M« !vi L*J H 13th & Kincaid, Open Monday ■ Saturday, Ph. 346-4331 JEWELRY DESIGN STUDIO 1502 Willamette St 343 2298 Regular Business Hours Tues Fn 9am 1pm 2pm 6pm Sat 10am 4pm ClOUS^A MONOUI PRESENT PART OF AN EVENING JONES TUES.FEBRUARY 4 8 00 P M HUIT CENTER • SILVA HALL