Maxine's Tap Room has been serving Arkansans for nearly 70 years. Through cleverness, perseverance, and a bit of luck, this bar has stayed an icon. Let's sit back and sip while we learn about the fascinating history of this Fayetteville favorite.
Maxine's Taproom has been a Fayetteville favorite for nearly 70 years.
You can find just off of Dickson at
107 N Block Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701.
The years haven't always been easy, Maxine's had to persevere through all sorts of challenges.
Death, fire, and problematic insurance were all issues the bar had to overcome.
The bar's success can definitely be accredited to the original owner, Marjorie Maxine Miller.
Ms. Maxine was only 24 years old when she opened the bar (using money borrowed from her parents) but her savvy business choices help set a strong foundation.
The no-nonsense of Maxine made her a shrewd, yet successful businesswoman.
She purposely designed the bar to have the smallest legal window possible (to avoid break-ins) and always kept a club behind the cash register. She also only hired football players to ensure the whole team would become dedicated patrons. These quirks worked and made Maxine's a local icon.
The first lucrative decade permitted Maxine to construct an entirely new building for the taproom.
In 1960, the new (and current) building featured a 50-ft. long bar. Other notable features that you can still glimpse are a deer head clad in Mardi Gras beads as well as Maxine's revered bar stool.
For over 50 years Maxine sat behind the cash register but in 2000 her health began to decline.
Maxine passed away in 2006 and the bar nearly died with her. A month after her death the taproom caught on fire and stayed closed for over a year because of lacking insurance.
Fortunately, Fayetteville wasn't ready to give up on Maxine's. Three local Block Avenue business owners came together to restore and reopen the beloved bar. The deer head managed to survive the fire and still decorates the wall.
The bar has been able to regain a refreshed life while still honoring Maxine's memory. The taproom now features 1950s style drinks and is decorated with vintage photos of the original Maxine's.
Cheers to Maxine's Tap Room, may they have another successful 70 years!
They won't officially be 70 until 2020 but that doesn't mean we can't celebrate a little early.
We would love to hear about your memories at Maxine's! Reminisce with us in the comments below!
If you'd like another short and sweet history lesson, take a minute to learn about Arkansas' other diamond mine. If you're in Fayetteville now, you should head down the street and let your inner child run wild at the new pinball bar.
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