Serving the community for nearly 30 years, the Getaway Cafe across from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) is closing its doors for the last time on April 29, 2025. Leading up to its closure, various members of the community, alumni and current students came together to take part in the business’s last moments and reconnect with old friends.
With the local dive-bar under threat of being priced out of the area, people came together on change.org to advocate for the business and urge UCR leadership to find a way to keep Getaway Cafe in the community. As of April 27, 2025, the petition has over 1,500 signatures. The petition outlines:
“Now, after 28 years of serving and supporting our campus, Getaway Cafe is being pushed out. Not because of a lack of support from the community, but because it is seen as competition by UCR itself. Rather than celebrating and collaborating with a cherished local institution, the university is making moves that threaten Getaway’s survival.
We believe UC Riverside should support local businesses that contribute to the vibrancy and spirit of the campus community, not push them aside.”
Jason Hawkins, a self-proclaimed day oner of Getaway Cafe, and graduate from the class of 2006, has known Shawn, the owner, since he first opened in 1998. He notes his devastation on the transpiring events and the foreclosure of Getaway Cafe, and shares that “it’s unfortunate that it has come to this … Shawn is a very respectable guy, you can’t deny his integrity, his business acumen and his care for his employees. So what’s gonna happen to them? They got families to support.”
Reflecting on the rent increases in the area, Semi Cole, class of 2019 and former Associated Students of UCR president, remarks, “It’s so sad that people are literally being priced out of being here. [Getaway Cafe] has served generations. This campus is doing so much to expand, they literally own the housing right behind the Getaway.” Cole continues, “Why can’t we do more to save this landmark of this campus? This landmark of our culture? It’s heartbreaking.”
Sebastian, a student from the class of 2020, returning to the Getaway Cafe to relive some college memories with friends, shared “The Getaway has been a supportive community picture for so long, whether it’s your first year or your last year or 10 years down the line, the Getaway is a place where you can get away people.” Back when Sebastian was studying at UCR, Get-a-Wednesdays were a big thing in the area, with everyone coming to Getaway to hangout, meet after class and kick back and relax.
Marcus, a friend of Sebastian’s comments, “I just think it speaks volumes now that all these people are here just because it’s Getaway. Me and my friends drove in from Los Angeles. We made sure that it was open before I drove down here. The fact that we still made the mission now, because it’s Getaway’s last day.” Adding on to Marcus’ story, Vincent, class of 2023 shares, “To be with your friends again, to fall back on those memories. The time to be, the good, the bad, and the in between. It’s closing down and people aren’t going to get to experience this.”
Some alumni returned with families of their own in remembrance of their days at UCR. Natasha Chavez, class of 2009, was a member of Alpha Phi Omega during her undergraduate years. It was through the sorority that she met many of her close friends. She recalls how her friend group would come to Getaway after finals or on weekends to drink beer and play pool. Occasionally, Alpha Phi Omega would also host events in Getaway to build community and strengthen bonds.
When Chavez heard that Getaway Cafe was closing, she told her husband and made plans to return with her family. She shares, “I have a lot of fond memories of UCR, probably some of the best days of my life. I always tell my children and they want to come here. It’s full of nostalgic memories of us. I have friends that I’ve sent messages to who are out of state now, and they’re really sad.”
Morgan Wright and Eric Bento, class of 2013, and former fraternity brothers in Phi Gamma Delta returned to say one last goodbye to the place they considered a pillar in their college careers. They recall how Shawn, the owner of the cafe, was always open to supporting philanthropy events and fundraisers for their fraternity. Learning about the future of Getaway through Instagram, they returned to see the place one last time, Wright shares, “life moves on, but the memories remain when we walk in. The squeaky door when you walk in is the same, and every single sign is still here. All of our shirts are still up on the ceiling and our paddles are on the wall.”
Many in the community mourn the loss of such a central part of life at UCR. Bento shared, “Even till this day, Shawn still remembers us. Even 15 years later, he’s still a good friend, and I think he’s sad to go. Pillar of the community.” Holding his heart in his hands, Hawkins delves into Shawn’s character, “Sean, he creates an avenue for all people to come here, enjoy and be very accommodating. Sean is not a money-driven guy. He’s driven by his compassion for serving the community, not only the UCR community but everyone.”
In a last hurrah, the Getaway Cafe will be closing for the last time on April 29, 2025, and from 6:30 p.m. to closing, they invite the public to come share their most loved memories and any fun stories of the cafe.
To provide additional support to the Getaway, a GoFundMe raised $465. As of publication, the fundraiser is no longer accepting donations.
