two keys

Includes lexington staple...two keys tavern.

After a historic run the tavern is closing up... at least until it finds a new location.

Abc 36's bobbi mcswine takes us there...and as she tells us...one employee says it's hard to see it go ##### bobbi: "66 years of history...no longer hangs behind me...as two keys took down its iconic sign friday..in preparation to leave its south limestone location."

"it's very sad" the popular bar was home to many university of kentucky wildcat celebrations over the years.

Owner seth bennett announced the bar's closure in early july...when he filed for bankruptcy.

He says the pandemic had a financial impact the bar couldn't weather...and a two year legal battle with the landlord played a part as well.

Jamie bates is an employee...he says he grew up going to two keys...and it's hard letting go.

Jamie bates: "if i wanna meet anybody i'd say, you know where two keys is?

They'd say, 'yes i do."

I'd say, 'well i'll meet you there.

You never had to tell the address.

It was the world famous."

"i hate to see it go, but i have a lot of good memories.

I really do.

And it goes on for generations."

Bates says he's worried about what the pandemic can mean for the future.

"with the covis and everything i can see a lot f restaurants going down and that's tuly awful for kentucky or lexington.

It really is.

And people are going to suffer through this."

Bobbi: "bennett says the sign will be kept in a safe place until a new location is found.

In lexington, bobbi mcswine, abc 36 news."

##### ots image:right officer shoots