LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A staple in Louisville's Highlands neighborhood announced Monday it is permanently closing "effective immediately."
The Back Door, located on Bardstown Road, is officially closing its doors after 39 years in business.
According to a Facebook post from The Back Door, the main reason for the permanent closure is the loss of the bar's beloved founder and owner.
"As almost all of you know, John was the glue that held the Back Door together. He was the perfect go-between, an incredible listener, and an experienced (and self-taught) business owner," the Facebook post said.
Taylor Dant said it's been tough trying to manage the family-owned business after his father passed away last year. His father John Dant founded the bar 39 years ago.
"After his untimely passing last October, we tried to pick up the pieces and keep the business running as best we can, but not all dreams can be reality. It's thanks to you amazing folks that we were able to stay open as long as we were, and we are forever thankful to you for that."
The bar has such a large footprint in the community. Aaron Givhan, president of the Highland Guild of Commerce, said John Dant was always involved in community conversations.
"The mall itself has benefitted from John and I do know that he would work with us to keep things calm," he said.
Long time customers were pulling up only to find the bar has closed it's doors for good after 39 years.
"I'm going to miss it, I'm going to miss the people here," Kimberly Page Mangan said.
Mangan said her father Bill Page painted the mural of local customers inside the bar, featuring faces from doctors to musicians.
Now she's hoping those memories can be saved.
"Just for him and for everyone else who has a piece on that wall to have something back of it or not for it to be destroyed," Mangan said.
Others feel a part of Louisville is now gone.
"Wow, it's taking a part of something that was important to me," Jerry Lee, another patron, said.
WHAS11 asked Dant if he plans to reopen his dad's business in the future. He told us it's just too soon to decide.
"I would love to keep the name going but right now it's up in the air," Dant said.
He is thankful for the community's support over the last 39 years.
The Back Door is officially closed as of Monday, May 13, 2024. It is unclear what will happen to the space.
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