Every time Christy Allen drives past the empty space above Gary's Campus Hair Salon, she said she feels heartbroken.

For about six years, it was a place where she and fellow members of MSU's Campus Crusade for Christ used as a downtown hangout.

"That place brings back so many memories," said Allen, a psychology and studio art senior.

But the group had to end their lease on June 1 due to a limited budget.

Allen said she'll miss the former 547 Place, named after its Grand River Avenue address, where Campus Crusade for Christ members gathered after weekly meetings.

"It (was) a casual place where kids can just come and be themselves, instead of worried about sticking to the norm," she said. "It's awesome outreach."

The spot is empty now and up for lease. Dan Perry, whose family owns the second-story space, said there have been no offers made on the space so far.

Robin Langford, a senior staff member for Campus Crusade for Christ, said the group was paying several thousand dollars a month for rent and utilities to keep the place going.

"We are a student organization that does not take money from the school, so we need to spend our money very wisely," Langford said. "We have decided that the money that we spend renting the place is not worth the benefits."

She said that the group is in the process of looking for a new hangout spot on or around campus that isn't a rental.

But some Campus Crusade for Christ student members said they are disappointed about losing the space.

"People have good reason to be upset because it was a very special place to meet and make friends - a place of authenticity and honest conversations," said Alex Smith, a history senior and student leader of Campus Crusade.

Disappointment aside, some group members say it's time to move on.

"Whatever good times we can have at 547 Place, we can have it all over campus: in the dorms, in the study lounges, in your fraternities," he said. "547 Place just gave you the best place to do it."

Allen said 547 Place served two functions for the group. It was a place to hold formal social functions and to form informal relationships and connections with fellow Christians and non-Christians alike.

The space also was important, Allen said, because it was a place where students could indulge in nonalcoholic related activities, such as formal dinner parties, dances and game nights.

"People usually have misconceptions about how MSU is a party school and people just drink," she said. "Here at 547 Place, we break the stereotypical image of what a party is."