Maxine's Tap Room is a historic bar in Fayetteville, Arkansas, located on 107 N. Block Ave. It is one of the oldest bars in Northwest Arkansas. Marjorie Maxine Miller opened the bar in 1950 when she was 24 years old with money she borrowed from her parents. She managed to pay her parents back within the year. In 1960 she tore down the old wooden building in which the bar had been located and had the current building--a long, narrow brick structure--built in its place. The new building had only one window, exactly 8.5 inches by 40 inches, in the front, which was the minimum size allowed by the building codes at the time. This was more than likely a business decision aimed at limiting break-ins. Other examples of Miller's shrewed business style include keeping a club behind the bar, having only a pay phone available, and trying to hire football players as employees so the team would follow as patrons, a business style that led to the bar's longevity and success. Adding to the Tap Room's charm were a 50-foot long bar that stretched nearly the entire length of the building and dominated the room, an old coin-operated cigarette machine, a juke box that still played 45s, and a deer head adorned with Mardi Gras beads, sunglasses and a tie. Miller was a constant figure behind the cash register for 50 years until her health started to decline around 2000. She died at age 82 in May 2006. A month later the Tap Room caught fire. Due to lack of insurance the bar was closed for over a year, reopening in August 2007. Most of the furniture inside the bar was replaced, and the bar itself was reconstructed and restored and stayed the same long length. The exposed rafters darkened by the fire were simply painted black, and a sky light was installed where the fire fighters cut a hole in the roof. Considerable efforts were made to retain many things that had been in the bar for a very long time, such as the older lights and signs, various pictures and historic memorabillia. Miller's family currently runs and operates Maxine's Tap Room with the intentions of it being in business at least another 58 years.
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