Manuel’s Tavern, an iconic bar and restaurant in Midtown, has been an Atlanta fixture since the early 1950s. Bought in 1956 by former Chief Executive Officer of Dekalb County, Manuel Maloof, Manuel’s has made a name for itself over the years by serving as a bustling center for politics. In the 1970s, Jimmy Carter announced his plan to run for governor at Manuel’s, and this past fall, President Obama stopped by during his visit to Atlanta.

Last year, the restaurant’s management announced Manuel’s would close for several months beginning in December for a series of necessary renovations. Although many long-time customers were initially alarmed

at the thought of losing the historic pub for a period of time, owner Brian Maloof wants to assure diners the same old Manuel’s will be standing upon its reopening in April.

“We’re not planning on adding any new [features],” Maloof said. “We’re not trying to change who we are. We don’t want it to look any more different than it is now — we just want it to be more functional.”

The million-dollar remodel will upgrade the restaurant’s infrastructure and preserve historical aspects of the tavern.

“We’re just getting ADA compliance,” Maloof said. “We’re getting modern heating and air, plumbing and [appliances].”

In addition to the improvements made around Manuel’s Tavern, Green Street Properties, the new owner of the property, plans to build a six-story structure in the parking lot adjacent to the restaurant that will include rental units and retail space.

Manuel’s Tavern has received offers from a number of companies to purchase its lot in the past, but most plans involved eliminating Manuel’s as a whole. Maloof ultimately decided to settle with Green Street because of the company’s intentions to preserve the restaurant and its character.

“They understood more than others the importance of historical preservation and maintaining the culture and feel of Manuel’s,” Maloof said. “When I would try to explain it to someone from out-of-town, they wouldn’t understand the historical significance of it. To them, it was just a piece of real estate.”

Atlanta resident John Duke created a fundraiser to help the tavern’s employees pay bills while the restaurant is temporary closed.

“Construction of this magnitude often takes much longer than estimates anticipate, so [the employees] are going to be out of work for an indefinite amount of time,” Duke said. Duke set up a page on GoFundMe that raised nearly $15,000 for 49 of the tavern’s employees.

“GoFundMe’s platform made the most sense for this kind of fundraising, and I figured it would be the best way to tap into the community’s love for the Manuel’s staff,” Duke said.

Duke’s fondness of Manuel’s Tavern played a large role in his decision to create the fundraiser.

“Young or old, rich or poor, whatever race or creed, you are welcome at Manuel’s, and you can eat and imbibe affordably,” Duke said.

Maloof is also making earnest efforts to ensure that his regular customers are being taken care of while the restaurant is closed.

“I’m trying to keep Facebook updated as much as I can without being obnoxious,” Maloof said. “There is also some sort of blog where the customers communicate with each other about where they are going to eat while Manuel’s is closed.”

Tavern regular Marshall Orson has been particularly affected by the short-term closing of Manuel’s.

“For some of us, we are a little lost,” Orson said. “I have driven by Manuel’s half a dozen times since it closed, and I have to keep reminding myself that it’s not open right now.”

Manuel’s Tavern has been a fixture in Orson’s life for some time now.

“I have been going to Manuel’s since I first moved to Atlanta in 1987 and, even though it is thought of as a bar, I have always gone with my family,” Orson said. “I like that it’s a sports bar and a place for people to convene at game night. But I also like its history and sense that what is going on in the world is important — whether it be politics or current events.”

Maloof is confident Manuel’s will continue to thrive once it reopens in April.

“What’s most important is maintaining the character and the charm and the feel that is the tavern,” Maloof said. “My job is really just putting everything back together as best I can after the renovation.”