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