The Des Plaines Oasis will close this weekend after more than 50 years. And drivers will have to look elsewhere for a rest stop on the tollway.
After welcoming travelers for more than 50 years, the DES PLAINES OASIS will SOON be no more. Michigan natives Julia and Jeff Buckham use the oasis as a comfort stop during their travels to see family in Rockford.
"We're not happy about it being closed," said traveler Julia Buckham.
"This tends to be a stop we make coming and going," said Jeff Buckham.
"It gives us bathrooms," said Humberto Ortiz, truck driver. "It's beneficial to us."
Sunday will be the last day for motorists to catch a nap or get a quick bite at the rest stop that overlooks the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway.
"This place is a lifesaver right now. We had to go to the bathroom. We couldn't find a place to go," said Kayman Loney-Adams, who was traveling from Florida to Minnesota.
"It's going to be rough. I know guys stop in between jobs to get lunch at Sbarro, Panda Express, McDonalds," said Jamie Walker of Two Men and a Truck Movers.
Last fall, tollway officials announced the need to close the oasis to make way for the roughly $2 billion I-90 reconstruction project.
"We're going to remove the oasis so we can add a fourth lane in each direction," said Dan Rozek, Illinois Tollway.
While the 7-Eleven gas station and convenience store will remain, the mostly glass-framed building will be torn down. There's mixed reaction from the tenants who now must move out.
"No one's losing a job; we have a lot of customers that love the food," said Rocco Armocida, Sbarro restaurant.
"Employees are out of work and I'm going to be out of work," said Alex Joseph, Taco Bell & KFC owner.
The oasis was built in 1959 and became a bit of a destination point until the future brought it to the end of its road.
"Sad that it's closing," said Robert McGee, motorist. "I guess they know what they're doing."
