ATLANTA — The community rallied on Monday around a popular Midtown tavern in hopes of keeping it open.
Henry's Midtown Tavern announced it would close after 10 years of serving the community on November 30 last week after the owner, Maureen Kalmanson, said she could not agree with the landlord.
The business sits at the corner of 10th and Juniper Streets, and those who love the tavern said it's a staple for the LGBTQIA+ community. Several protested on Monday in hopes of keeping the restaurant and bar open.
"Henry's is one of the few neighborhood taverns that we have left here. And you look at the rest of this block at 10th and Peachtree; it's all urban blight. It's all surface lots," David Welniak said. "If a popular restaurant like Henry's can't afford the lease, then I don't think anybody can. It's just going to sit here empty for years. God knows how long."
Kalmanson is joining a plethora of businesses fighting the same fight. Still, the welcoming environment will always be in her customers' hearts. Rachel Robinson said she works across the street and frequents Henry's often.
"It was really sad," Robinson said after the restaurant announced its closure. "I don't know where we're going to go after work. This place was just so perfect."