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A Near East Side bar, which likely reigns as the longest-running bar under the same owner, is closing Jan. 5 and reopening as a new version of its former self.

Bob Hanson, known as "the grandfather of Atwood Avenue," has owned and operated Mr. Robert's Bar & Grill, 2116 Atwood Ave., for more than 42 years. He's selling it to the owner of Chief's Tavern on Cottage Grove Road.

Brian Mason will take it over with Kevin Miller, the manager at Chief's, calling it the New Mr. Robert's and making only subtle changes.

The men are keeping the things Mr. Roberts is known for: live music and the homemade roast beef lunch specials on Thursdays.

In 2012, Mason took over Chief's Tavern at 300 Cottage Grove Road in what used to be the Packer Inn. He's not sure how long the remodel of Mr. Robert's will take, but expects to have it shut down for at least a month.

He just plans to give it "a little facelift," like he did in turning the Packer Inn into Chief's. "We're not knocking down any walls," he said.

Mason said it may not look the same as Chief's, but he wants it to have the same feel.