Following up on our article from yesterday, which discussed the swirling rumors and social media chatter about Shari’s Restaurants closing down, we now have official confirmation: all of Shari’s Oregon locations have closed their doors. The 24-hour pie and video lottery chain, a beloved fixture since it first opened in Beaverton in 1978, has officially served its last slice in the state. Unfortunately, many employees were left in the dark, finding out only at the last minute that they were out of a job.

“All of them are closed as of today,” Oregon Lottery spokesperson Matt Shelby confirmed. “We just learned that.”

Shari’s started the year with 42 restaurants in Oregon, but after a wave of closures, the number dwindled to just 17 before shutting down entirely this week. Employees, like Tiffany Johnson, general manager at the Farmington location, said they were not given proper notice. Johnson, who worked for the company for six years, only found out the restaurant had closed on Sunday through a text message. “I get that there are issues you can’t fix. I get that. But giving us some sort of notice, or at least informing the employees, would be awesome,” she said.

This sentiment was echoed by other Shari’s staff. When KOIN 6 News visited six of the remaining 17 locations in Oregon, they found locked doors, empty restaurants, and signs posted about the closures. Inside, tables were still set, lights were on, and food remained in the fridges, adding to the confusion for employees and customers alike.

The situation for Shari’s in Oregon has been declining for some time, and the Oregon Lottery, a key partner, had been monitoring the situation closely. The chain’s video lottery terminals generated significant revenue, contributing over $34 million in 2022 alone, with more than $7 million in commissions. As each location began to close, the Oregon Lottery removed the lottery terminals, which Shelby confirmed had been happening over the last several weeks as more closures became apparent.

Earlier this year, Shari’s had already shown signs of financial distress when their account went dry, signaling to the Lottery that something was wrong. The agency temporarily suspended gambling at all Shari’s locations until the company could settle its dues and secure a performance bond. As the closures continued across the state, Lottery staff quickly recovered the video terminals and returned them to Salem for refurbishment. Shelby noted that when Shari’s briefly went dark for a weekend, records showed players simply migrated to nearby retailers, so the Lottery isn’t expecting a major dip in overall revenue.

On Monday, as rumors of the closures spread across social media, Oregon Lottery officials reached out to Shari’s back office for confirmation. By midday, Oregon Lottery Director Mike Wells sent an email to staff confirming that Shari’s was finished.

“Shari’s was an Oregon institution, and a longtime Lottery retailer,” Wells wrote. “I’m sure many of you have memories of late-night comfort food, Sunday breakfasts, or a slice of pie. Shari’s has struggled for years, and we’ve supported them through it all. But with the closure of all their locations, the financial risks in continuing to partner with them are simply too high. While it’s disappointing, this is the right decision for both the Lottery and the state.”

The end of Shari’s marks the end of an era, not just for the restaurant, but for countless Oregonians like myself. Back in the ’90s, Shari’s was more than just a place to grab a bite—it was a hub where friends would gather over coffee and cigarettes, often late into the night. The smoking sections may be a thing of the past, but the memories linger of those endless conversations, fueled by bottomless cups of coffee and slices of their famous pies.

However, as with many things, the closure wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about hard financial realities. The closures in Oregon may be tied to a larger financial issue, as court records show multiple lawsuits filed against the company for unpaid bills totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. KOIN 6 News reached out to corporate officials, including the company’s owner, but has only received an automated message from the president indicating they have resigned.

Efforts to reach a Shari’s representative for comment have so far been unsuccessful. However, the Oregon Lottery shared an email from Samuel Borgese, founder of Shari’s parent company, Gather Holdings, confirming earlier today, “I can confirm at this time that all Oregon Shari’s are closed.”

With Shari’s departure, a piece of Oregon history fades. The iconic hexagonal buildings may soon be repurposed or left behind, but for many of us who frequented Shari’s over the decades, the memories we created there will remain a cherished part of our past.