We're closing.
THANK YOU
Welcome to... The End of an Era
After nearly 20 years the Eugene Hostel will be closing, at least for the foreseeable future.
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I'll go into a little more detail in this letter, but first off, I just want to take the time to truly say thank you. If you're reading this, the Eugene Hostel meant something to you. You checked in with us, you supported us, you stayed with us, or you just thought we sounded like a load of fun to stay with. This community has always mattered more to more than just me or our staff. It has mattered to this neighborhood, town, and those who have graced us with their immense creativity and laughter.
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In the spirit of honoring that, I want to talk just a little about why we are closing, and what the next life for this amazing place looks like.
Well... why?
A few reasons:
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COVID - It hit hard. Hard enough that income during the COVID years that should have been able to go into maintenance and growth had to be used just to float. And that added up.
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Maintenance - When I took on the hostel 3 years ago, I knew I was playing catch up with many years of maintenance on a building that did not have it. We installed new electrical panels, new hot water heaters, redid old drywall and insulation, new plumbing, leveled floors, and many more, but as with old buildings, once you open it, it can be a bit of pandora's box. The rennovations required to bring it up to snuff meant closing down the hostel so we could open up walls safely.
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Insurance - Our insurance cost quintupled over the last 3 years.
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Time - To maintain the hours we did takes a huge time commitment of staffing, and while we had AMAZING people in our team for the last few years, that time commitment can be draining, even with a full enough crew.
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There are more, but the short version: our costs rose, our prices didn't and wouldn't, and it was a lot of time to be giving to what became a passion project over a business.
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A passion project I don't regret for even one second. But one that I have to admit to myself is no longer feasible.
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So Now What?
My goal as custodian of this space has always been to hold the container and let the amazing people who come through the Hostel fill it. And I want to keep that going!
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So in that spirit, we've decided to use this winter to rennovate the hostel into...
The ARTpartments
Drawing on the spirit of the hostel, with all new updated spaces, these 6 ARTpartments represent the heart and soul of this space in a new light!​​​​​
These spaces are fully furnished, little worlds that embody the spirit of the hostel, taking on the names of the former hostel rooms that occupied them. With new murals, fully built custom kitchens to mazimize space, and of course, as always, NO CORPORATE ART!
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There are 5 individual ARTpartments:
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The Mountain - 1 bd, 1 ba, groundfloor with massive storage cabinets and a whole lotta space!
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The Whiteaker - 1 bd, 1 ba, second story with private balcony and full size whiteaker map mural!
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The Duck - 1 bd, 1 ba, second story features the best of Tracktown USA!
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The Pacific - 1 bd, 1 ba, groundfloor with lots of privacy, including additional entrance and chill vibes.
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The Captain's - 1 bd, 1 ba, groundfloor with direct laundry access for ease and simple charm!
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There are 3 singular room spaces rented invididually as well in the Garden ARTpartment, which is 3 bd, 1 ba, ADA compliant space with family features like bunk beds.
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There are community spaces and tons of bonus features that keep the community alive and well!
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​An amazing group of muralists, artisans, and genuinely amazingly talented helpers have lent their skills to bring whimsical spaces to life for you. ​The ARTpartments are available for short, mid, and long-term rentals. ​If you're interested, please reach out HERE to inquire or get on our waitlist.
To Wrap it All Up
I want to take a minute and share a personal note here.
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The Hostel has meant everything to me. When I took on this project, I made a promise I wouldn't fail. And I knew there was so much here that meant so much more to me.
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We've had dozens of amazing traders come through, and hundreds more amazing guests that stick out in my mind. From the rosebush planted in our garden for a deceased loving aunt to the wedding that happened in these halls, we've been able to share in so many of life's moments. To each and every person who has ever come to join our staff and make it a little bit yours: thank you. You are the heart and soul of this place. I've kept all your pictures and handprints, and they remain in a place of honor in the Garden Apartment.
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This has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I've been at periods where I had no more than $600 in my bank account and tens of thousands of bills staring down the pipeline. I've dealt with all the chaos and insanity you can imagine a hotel might run into. I've lost a business partner and life partner all in one go and grown an incredible group of friends through this. I've changed more in the last 3 years than I ever thought I could.
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I have never had the responsibility of taking care of others before. Never known that someone's safety depends on how I respond, and where I place my values. The Hostel has given me more responsiblity than I ever knew I could hold, and has truly given me a reason to grow up. I am beyond grateful for that chance to grow into the woman I am proud of today.
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I will miss this so much. Being a hostelier has been a true core part of my identity. And I have LOVED hosting you. And while it's now time to take a step back, I know that this won't be the end of the story. Someday, whether in Eugene, or beyond, there will be another Hostel. Another community of travelers sharing their lives.
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To those of you that shared you, either in a little or big way, I say thank you. Thanks for spending time at the best little Art and Hippie Hostel in the WORLD. We've been blessed to have you.
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Thank you for helping me see that this has never a been a failure, even it's it ending. It's a new beginning, a chance to change and grow. I knew almost a year ago that this was going to end, and the grief was brutal and lonely. But now that it's here, I am just filled with a profound sense of joy at all that this place was able to give people. We never failed... we succeeded beyond our wildest dreams.
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And now, as with all things, it's time to travel on. Into a future that holds so much brightness!
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With love and gratitude, for the last time.​
Brenna Leech and the Hostel Dog Clyde
Owners of the Eugene Hostel
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