Oakland's sole Denny's eatery, situated at the 600 block of Hegenberger Road, has permanently closed its doors.
The closure was due to concerns over safety, as confirmed by the company. Denny's corporate officials stated on Thursday morning regarding the shutdown.
Denny's Closes Historic Oakland Location Amid Safety Issues
The Denny's restaurant at 601 Hegenberger Road, a staple in Oakland for 54 years, has permanently closed. This location is approximately one mile from the In-N-Out restaurant, which had previously announced its shutdown in March due to concerns about crime and safety.
Echoing similar issues, Denny's emphasized safety as the key reason for its closure. The company stated, "The safety and well-being of our team members and guests is our primary concern. After careful consideration, we have decided to close this establishment."
Denny's full statement highlights their long-standing commitment to the Oakland community and the difficulty of the decision. They expressed gratitude towards their team and patrons, noting the closure was a tough but necessary step to ensure everyone's safety.
The statement also mentioned the possibility of relocating staff to other locations, showing their commitment to their employees during this transition.
Hegenberger Road has become notorious for frequent robberies and car break-ins. This growing issue of safety has led to several local businesses, including the Oakland In-N-Out Burger, deciding to shut their doors.
The decision by the Southern California-based In-N-Out Burger to close its nearby location in March also stemmed from these escalating safety worries, adding to the list of businesses in the area affected by the increasing crime rate.
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Mayor Sheng Thao Addresses Crime in the Hegenberger Area
In the wake of In-N-Out Burger's announcement to close its sole Oakland outlet due to safety issues, Mayor Sheng Thao released a statement addressing the crime situation in the Hegenberger corridor. The fast-food chain cited concerns for the safety of its customers and staff as the reason for the closure.
Responding to these developments, Mayor Thao emphasized the city's efforts to tackle the issue. "I have focused on making this important entrance to Oakland safer. We have increased police patrols and are using technology to prevent and respond to crime," Thao stated.
Thao acknowledged that despite ongoing efforts, the Hegenberger area in Oakland continues to face challenges with theft. She expressed her commitment to intensifying these efforts by collaborating with regional and state leaders to safeguard this key tourist entry point into the city.
Her statement highlighted that there has been a decrease in certain types of crime in the corridor towards the end of 2023. The data, comparing July 22 to September 30 and October 1 to December 10, showed a 43% reduction in auto-burglaries and a 49% decrease in robbery and theft, while commercial burglary incidents remained unchanged. However, there was a 25% increase in robberies.
To address these concerns, Mayor Thao's office has ramped up police presence there. Moreover, the mayor has initiated the deployment of new safety ambassadors in the city's busiest business areas, including Hegenberger.
Additionally, investments have been made in hiring more security personnel, installing security cameras, and improving other infrastructure. Presently, dedicated walking officers patrolled both the Hegenberger and 90th Avenue corridors.
Related Article: In-N-Out Announces Historic Closure of Oakland Branch, A First in Its 75 Years
