A Hilton hotel next to Oakland, California's airport has closed after 56 years in business, after many nearby businesses had already closed and residents left due to continued crime in the area.
On August 28, the last guests checked out and the hotel officially closed.
“We all planned to retire here and it's heartbreaking,” Eguigu Lema, known to his co-workers as “Gigi,” told Fox News Digital about the closure of the hotel where he dedicated more than 35 years as a bellhop and guest service attendant.
More than 150 workers lost their jobs. San Francisco Chronicle.
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The Hilton sign at the entrance to the Auckland Airport Hotel, which closed after 56 years in business. (Google Street View)
“When I started working at Hilton, I was 19 years old and I was from Ethiopia. I came to this country as a refugee,” Rema said, adding that she spent more time in hotels than at home. “I loved my job. I really loved it.”
Hilton officials did not say why they closed the Oakland airport hotel, but former employees believe continued crime in the area was to blame.
“The hotel owners have made the decision to permanently close Hilton Oakland Airport,” a Hilton spokesperson told Fox News Digital, adding that “Hilton will continue to welcome guests throughout the Bay Area, where Hilton and its franchise partners operate approximately 50 hotels.”
“After COVID, business slowed down but we were okay. At least the hotel was doing well. But after COVID, crime increased, vehicles were vandalized, catalytic converters were stolen, hotel ATMs were stolen,” Rema said, explaining the continuing hardships in the area.
Oakland Police investigate the scene after shooting an armed carjacking suspect at International Boulevard and 105th Street in East Oakland, California, Friday, February 17, 2023. (Jane Tiszka/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images)
The Hilton Hotel at 1 Hegenberger Road in Oakland has been in business for more than half a century and features 360 rooms and 15,000 square feet of event space across 20 acres.
Lema shared fond memories of the hotel and its features with Fox News Digital.
“We had a cat at the hotel. Her name was Paris Hilton. She'd been there for the last 16 years, greeting guests,” he said.
Earlier this year, Auckland is closed down The popular West Coast fast-food chain previously told Fox Business it made the decision to close the restaurants in March after a string of car thefts, vandalism, burglary and armed robberies against customers and employees.
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An In-N-Out Burger in Oakland closed in March due to crime in the area. (Google Street View)
The neighboring Denny's also closed in January after 54 years in business, citing safety concerns. Two Starbucks locations in the same area and a local diner have also closed.
In a statement about the closures, Denny's said, “Closing a restaurant is never an easy decision, nor one we make lightly, but the safety and health of our Denny's associates and valued guests is our top priority.”
Violent crime in Oakland increased 21% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with 120 murders, 3,531 aggravated assaults and 3,690 robberies, according to the Oakland Police Department's citywide year-end crime report.
Crime increase in Oakland Blue Shield and Clorox Provide security guards for employees.
Blue Shield previously told Fox News Digital that it “recognizes the public safety challenges in the City of Oakland and is committed to fully supporting the safety of our employees.”
Fear of crime has led some Oakland residents to leave their homes in the city, including Dave Schneider, a 60-year-old retiree who was shot and killed last summer while trimming a tree in front of his house in broad daylight.
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Fortunately, Rema was able to find another job after the Hilton Hotel closed.
“I'm one of the luckiest people, whereas most people didn't get a job,” he said of other hotel employees. “I found a job, but my heart is still with Hilton.”
He admitted that on his way to work in the morning, he would sometimes take a wrong turn intending to return to the Hilton Auckland Airport hotel.
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“When I remember those memories, it makes me very sad. Even now, 56 years later, it makes me very sad,” Lema said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oakland Police and Oakland Mayor Shen Tao did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
