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Holy Cow!
The EMU's organic restaurant will be put out to pasture this June
by Jill Aho | Senior News Editor
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Holy Cow restaurant has remained in that space for 10 years, building a reputation with students, staff and faculty.
On June 30, however, Holy Cow restaurant will end its tenure in the space reserved for a vegan/vegetarian restaurant, to be replaced with Portland-based Laughing Planet Café.
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While Lavine says she is still in shock over the decision, EMU Food Services Director John Costello said the committee, made up of five EMU employees and one University student, was unanimous in its decision.
"Laughing Planet could provide everything Holy Cow could do in terms of organic, vegetarian food, and more," Costello said. Costello said the final decision was his, and he felt that Laughing Planet could appeal to more people at the University.
Lavine said she was unprepared to hear the news that the EMU would not renew its lease with Holy Cow.
"We've been led to believe we were doing a good job," Lavine said. "We didn't think they'd turn us out."
Lavine said she invested $200,000 in creating the space. "I'm going to have this debt long after the business," Levine said.
Costello said while it was a tough decision, "There's no guarantee that a lease will just go on forever."
Her Majesty of Marketing for Laughing Planet Café Mary Nichols said the café is excited to join the University.
"University students are tight for time and tight for money usually, and they really require high levels of nutrition that they often don't get," she said. She believes the EMU is good fit for a new Laughing Planet in Eugene.
One thing that Laughing Planet has promised to offer the EMU that Holy Cow does not is the acceptance of credit and debit cards, which Costello said will increase sales.
"It's just kind of crazy these days not to do that," Costello said.
Lavine said she has no current plans to open a restaurant outside the EMU.
"We want to stay," Lavine said. "We'll do what it takes to keep serving our unique and highly acclaimed food at the University of Oregon."
Costello said Holy Cow presented a petition with 380 signatures and he received about 15 letters and e-mails in support of keeping Holy Cow in the EMU.
"We took note of that, but it wasn't enough to sway us. ... It's clear Holy Cow has some support," he said.
Costello said he expects Laughing Planet to be fully operational no later than Sept. 22, in time for fall term. To sample the cuisine before then, visit Laughing Planet at 760 Blair Blvd. in Eugene.
jaho@dailyemerald.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 12
Danny F
posted 1/23/08 @ 3:03 AM PST
I am outraged that the EMU will lose its only healthy organic food option as a result of the faulty logic of a single out of touch bureaucrat.
Your story demonstrates Mr. (Continued…)
Megan McClellan
posted 1/23/08 @ 9:03 AM PST
Wow. This is completely disgusting. The EMU Food Services director and committee should be ashamed. It's obvious that money is the real reason here - and is consistent with a university trend of putting money ahead of students' wishes. (Continued…)
Alison Nicole
posted 1/23/08 @ 9:37 AM PST
I am so sad and disappointed that the University would make such a poor decision. Holy Cow serves the best interest of the staff and students providing them with nutritious, reasonably priced food. (Continued…)
Bish
Bish
posted 1/23/08 @ 11:37 AM PST
Not to mention the fact that this is simply rude. Maybe the Emerald isn't telling the whole story but my reaction is, to throw out a 10-year institution with no legitimate reason or explanation. (Continued…)
Carrie Freeman
posted 1/23/08 @ 4:26 PM PST
We talked a lot at our SETA meeting about our disappointment and shock at the one vegetarian haven on this campus and most ecologically responsible restaurant being replaced by one that is merely "veg-friendly" but serves animal flesh. (Continued…)
Jenna Facciuto
posted 1/24/08 @ 7:03 AM PST
Nooooo! Kathee and her business are the highlight of the EMU and are an important part of Eugene! They were the first organic restaurant in the history of college food courts! They serve amazing smoothies, fresh salads and soups, international out-of-this-world tasting yummy goodness with no dead animals in it, and their employees are the nicest people I have ever met! I brag to people about how cool my alma mater is to have a Holy Cow. (Continued…)
Curtis
posted 1/24/08 @ 11:14 AM PST
Oh, no. This is sad. The Holy Cow Café was always a good bet for a great vegetarian meal! At least it's not being replaced with a cruel company like KFC. (Continued…)
Bambi
posted 2/01/08 @ 10:59 PM PST
Sad? I remember when Giant Grinder was THE place to eat near campus. Times change and so do food vendors. Get over it. Laughing Planet is not some conglomerate bully, they have been in our state for years. (Continued…)
Bright_One
posted 2/08/08 @ 2:23 PM PST
The way things get decided today is strictly about money.
I liked the food at Holy Cow, but I guess she didn't charge enough, or have enough customers to profit. (Continued…)
Stephan
posted 2/08/08 @ 3:04 PM PST
Laughing Planet is fine if that's what you're in the mood for. I like going there when I want chili... But a large part of going there is being able to cross the street and go to Sweet Life afterwards. (Continued…)
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