A star has burned out in Little Five Points — at least for now.
For decades, The Star Community Bar has been an institution in the Atlanta neighborhood.
On New Year's Eve, the bar said on social media that it would close up shop after ringing in the New Year. However, it may not be for good.
"Last Thursday we got our walking papers. The landlord has decided to rent the space to someone else," the post reads. "Tonight is your last chance to party at the Star Bar. Let's do it up right. See you tonight!"
Eater Atlanta reports that the building's owner is in "active negotiations" with a new leasee. According to the outlet, the owner is committed to keeping the bar and music venue there, and even would prefer to retain the name.
The bar, which often hosted comedy nights, live music and tribute shows, opened at 437 Moreland Ave. NE in 1991.
The last-minute announcement, which was posted around 3 p.m. on Tuesday, took many Atlantans by surprise.
On social media, Star Bar lovers were quick to lament it as the end of an era.
The post to the bar's Facebook page was shared more than 1,500 times and attracted nearly 900 comments.
“The Star Bar is an icon and an anchor of L5P. While I hope the new people keep it as is I hate that this is happening this way. I love everyone there and wish we could be there with y'all tonight,” Vaughn Belak wrote in a comment.
Another commenter, Bill Mitchell, said he was there the day Star Bar opened.
“I remember going here on the first day it opened. You could still smell the new varnish on the bar,” Mitchell wrote. “I saw so many great shows here over the years. Hate to lose this neighbor.”
Little Five is known for its network of small businesses, many of which have been there for decades.
Jill Polster wrote in a comment on the post that she can’t imagine the neighborhood without Star Bar.
“I’m working on processing what Little 5 Points is without Star Bar ... so much amazing music over the years. So many memories. So many. Wow,” she wrote.
