The door slams shut one last time on the Oasis
The booths and tables at the Oasis Beer Garden in Menlo Park are as lonely the sole pint of beer pictured right, and unlikely to be filled again.
We learned today that Dan Beltramo, the building’s property owner, does not intend to bring back the Oasis in the near future.
Emails Menlo Park City Councilman Ray Mueller: “In the past few weeks I introduced the Tougas family [who operated the Oasis] to an attorney to assist them with the sale of the Oasis brand, and also offered assistance to Greg Stern, the owner of the Dutch Goose who was in conversation with the Tougas family regarding purchasing the business.
“For a short time it appeared a deal was coming together. Ultimately, Mr. Beltramo expressed the desire that he wanted to take his time in deciding what to do next with the property.”
Ray added that the Tougas family has kindly decided to donate some items from the Oasis restaurant to the Menlo Park Historical Society.
InMenlo file photo
Joh Mercer March 24, 2018 at 8:44 pm
Taking Your Time, Sire Beltramo???????? What, Not Sure How Many Floors
You Can Cram A Bunch Of People Into?????
Mike DiMartino March 24, 2018 at 8:47 pm
I would like the staff of inmenlo to contact Mr. Beltramo to request an interview on his recent history concerning the Oasis and his opinion about its place in our community. This request is appropriate because of the critical value of the Oasis. I always feel it is important to give each side an opportunity to create a better understanding of a situation. He should address the following speculation:
1) What were the levels of rent increases and other demands placed on the Tougas operators over the last five years? Did this make the business problematic to operate profitably? This would help confirm or deny that Mr. Beltramo essentially forced the Oasis to shut down.
2) Were there other issues with the building or operation that caused significant risk? Can he describe efforts made to rectify and correct any issue? This would help confirm or deny that Mr. Beltramo’s sole focus was on financial return.
3) Does Mr. Beltramo recognize the value that the Oasis had in this community? Can he describe those benefits by providing a list of values and to whom those values were received? This would help confirm whether Mr. Beltramo cares about anything beyond his own interests and considers himself to part of the community.
4) If there were parties ready to resume operation, which I personally believe there were, why would the value to the community of having a functioning Oasis have a lower priority than any other consideration that he can name? I would expect that he will suggest that his financial return is of paramount interest and a property right he is entitled to exercise as his judgment determines. This answer would help determine how the community should evaluate its interests in cooperating or supporting Mr. Beltramo in the future.
The Oasis was uniquely, in my mind, the most significant private venue of community in the city of Menlo Park. All parties should have used every possible recourse to avoid what has now happened. Its closure should not be a cause that is generalized to each and every development in the city’s planning, because there is really nothing close to the Oasis (I believe the Dutch Goose to be on County land).
Because of its unique value and overall importance, the entity that causes the Oasis to be closed should not be spared from a requirement for full transparency.
Being an optimist, I can only conclude that Mr. Beltramo is going to give us Oasis 2.0 for the betterment of Menlo Park, in the same way that the Arrillaga family has supported the Burgess Gym or certain individuals contributed to the construction of the performance center at Menlo-Atherton High. Anything short of exactly that and I will be extremely disappointed.
Paul Ackerman March 25, 2018 at 4:38 am
I first moved to Menlo Park in 1943. Marquad’s Drive In,
the market across Camebridge, the corner gas station on the next block north, Doctor Peters – Dentist, just a little further north, and my friend, Frank Smith’s mom’s card reader business were the the places I visited
near the Oasis most often – I don’t even remember if it was even open then.
I do know it was a neat part of South Menlo that served the south of Middle Ave., and the east of University Ave area very conveniently. It is a shame that the historic preservation movement in the eastern United States has not taken better root in Menlo Park. Wow… Bring back the good old days of the 40’s and 50’s
Melinda March 26, 2018 at 9:11 am
The Oasis was the place to drink beer and really talk to each other. RIP Oasis as you were my oasis during the 70’s. Mike Moore and I used to sit on a bench and have some very serious intellectual talks over that fabulous beer and burgers. I will never forget you!
Bill McIlvaine March 26, 2018 at 1:05 pm
Menlo Park, Atherton, Woodside and Palo Alto are very unique communities that have been adversely impacted by Silicon Valley. My parents as well as myself were patrons of your business in Atherton. I would have to believe you understand what it means to loose the Oasis. Money can be made and all parties can have a “win-win”.