For 56 years, the Hilton Oakland Airport welcomed travelers just steps from the tarmac. Now its doors have closed for good.
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Spread across 20 acres, with 360 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of event space, the hotel stood as a landmark in hospitality. On August 28, its final customer was checked out and the doors were closed for good.
Employees ‘heartbroken’
For many employees, the final day at Hilton was a hard goodbye. They hugged each other, marking the end of years — even decades — of working together.
Egigu Lemma, affectionately known as Gigi by his colleagues, dedicated 35 years to serving as a bellman and guest service agent at this Hilton. “This is my last day today. We’re all heartbroken right now. I spend more time here than my house, so the emotional effect is very high,” he told CBS News Bay Area.
Jude Correa, after 20 years at the hotel, had envisioned to retire from this very place. “I have 150 people that I’ve known and now we’re going to be split apart,” Correa said.
While Hilton has not given a specific reason for the closure, many employees said they believe COVID and persistent crime are to blame. “Crime is high. A lot of our customer vehicles were broken into. Hotel buses were stolen, catalytic converters were taken,” Lemma explained.
Closing time
The Hilton Oakland Airport hotel is one of many businesses shutting down in the area.
Denny’s, formerly at 601 Hegenberger Road, closed its doors on January 31, 2024, after 54 years, citing safety concerns.
“Closing a restaurant location is never an easy decision or one taken lightly. However, the safety and well-being of Denny’s team members and valued guests is our top priority. Weighing those factors, the decision has been made to close this location,” the company said in a statement.
In March 2024, In-N-Out also shuttered its only Oakland location. COO Denny Warnick, pointed to “ongoing issues with crime”, including frequent car break-ins, property damage, theft and armed robberies affecting customers and employees.
“We feel the frequency and severity of the crimes being encountered by our Customers and Associates leave us no alternative,” Warnick stated.
Additionally, Starbucks has closed two locations in the Hegenberger area, though the company has not publicly disclosed the reasons for these closures.
Read more: Don’t leave your family unprotected — find life insurance coverage up to $2 million with no medical exam or blood test
‘It’s crumbling’
The recent closures along the Hegenberger business corridor have been a source of significant concern for Oakland councilmembers Treva Reid, who represents the area. The area holds a deep personal significance for her.
“We feel the weight. I mean (that area is) my father’s legacy,” she said. “For decades, it took a lot for him to build up that corridor in partnership with other leaders, the Port of Oakland, the businesses.”
Reid shared a call to action with fellow elected officials to bolster resources needed to combat the crime in the area, which has become a significant barrier.
“I don’t think that we’re failing, I think that it’s crumbling,” Reid said. “There has been a failure of commitment to our district and to having our back.”
What to do if you live in a ‘crumbling’ area
If you find your community facing economic decline, here are some practical strategies to help stabilize or improve your situation.
Build an emergency fund: Economic instability can bring job uncertainty. An emergency fund covering three to six months of living expenses provides a financial cushion to help you weather unexpected challenges.
Diversify income streams: Look for ways to generate additional income beyond traditional employment. This could include freelance work, starting a small side business, renting out an unused space or investing for passive income. Diversifying income reduces the impact of local economic challenges.
Invest in skills development: Use downtime to learn new skills in growing industries, such as technology and healthcare. Many online platforms offer courses and certifications that can bolster your employability in these industries.
Leverage remote work opportunities: Explore remote work opportunities to bypass local economic limitations. Use online job platforms and professional networks to find virtual positions, expanding your prospects beyond your local market and tapping into more stable industries.
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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
