The University of Oregon and the city of Eugene made headlines a few weeks ago when KEZI News reported that Barry’s Espresso and Bakery, the coffee shop and deli next to the UO campus, would be replaced by a cannabis shop called Casper’s. The story emphasized the outrage of loyal Barry’s customers and the growing petition to boycott the cannabis shop as a way to “save the bakery.”
The real story is a little less controversial.
It is true that an online petition to boycott Casper’s – started by UO student Hallie Frost – has gathered over a thousand signatures. But Frost said the intention of the petition was never to save Barry’s, but to voice frustration at its closing.
“Not only is Barry’s unique and beloved, but to replace it with yet another dispensary, even before legalization [of marijuana] in Oregon was ubiquitous, is a disservice to our community,” Frost said.
Barry’s owner, Barry Stiegel, said that he has known for the past two and a half years that the building manager would not be offering him a new lease once the current one expired this year. He has been prepared to close the campus location for some time.
“Look, I appreciate that people are sad to see us go,” said Stiegel, “but there really isn’t any controversy here. We will still be operating out of the other location.”
Barry’s’ other location is on Oak Street in south Eugene. That location was the original shop Stiegel opened 20 years ago. He opened the campus shop about 13 years ago.
Myron Brandwine, manager of Casper’s, said that he had always known Casper’s would be moving into the bigger space that Barry’s currently occupies, even before they opened up shop above Barry’s on Jan. 4.
“I’m Barry’s biggest customer; I eat there three times a day,” Brandwine said. “But boycotting us is like being angry at a new apartment tenant because you liked the old one more.”
Brandwine said he even signed the petition to boycott his store as a sign of good faith.
“I totally get why people are angry to see Barry’s go,” Brandwine said, “and to those people I say: commit to going to his other location.”
Brandwine says that the petition hasn’t affected his business much, but he has heard customers asking about the news story that broke earlier this month.
Sy’s Pizza, which is next door to Barry’s and Casper’s, owns the entire building. Sy’s management did not respond to requests for comment.
Barry’s is set to close its doors on May 27. Casper’s plans to be fully functioning at that location soon after.