QUEENS, N.Y. - Walk through the doors of Neir's Tavern on 78th Street in Woodhaven and you'll find a bar with 190 years of history.
Andrew Jackson was president when it opened. Queens wasn’t even a borough yet. It saw two world wars and even operated during Prohibition.
According to local folklore, Mae West was a regular customer and used to perform there. The bar also served as a location in Martin Scorsese’s "Goodfellas".
But for owner Loycent Gordon it’s all the moments in between that matters the most — celebrating the good times and sometimes the bad days too.
"Neir's Tavern was our history. The regular person’s history," Gordon said.
Eleven years ago Gordon bought the bar which he says was in dire straits. He spent months renovating the historic tavern and years promoting it as a destination in Queens. But after the building was bought last year, he says the new management company doubled his rent. He’s been on a month-by-month lease since and has been struggling to keep the doors open.
"But I’m out of funds. I’m out of money, and I’m tired. And I can’t keep fighting these big guys, I’m a little guy. I’m just a fireman," Gordon said.
Gordon is set to close up shop on Sunday because he says he cannot afford to pay his staff beyond then. Some regular customers say they feel as if they’re in mourning.
"It’s hard. It’s like losing a part of your family," said Josephine Wendell, a Woodhaven resident.
Because Neir’s is considered to be the oldest continuously operating bar in the city, Gordon applied for landmark status in 2016. But his attempts were unsuccessful.
"Everything in this area built up around Neir’s Tavern. Its inconceivable at this point that it will not be here," said Ed Wendell of the Woodhaven Cultural and Historical Society.
"It’s like the last great thing in this neighborhood," said Sean Blair, a Woodhaven resident.
Gordon is holding out hope that someone might want to keep the historic bar open.
"We need a miracle," Gordon said.
He says if someone is willing to fight for an equitable lease and run the business he’ll sign it over.
He just hopes he can stay on as an advocate to hopefully allow this historic tavern a chance to celebrate its 200th birthday.