One in six neighborhood bars have closed down. Those are sad statistics for some. Once a booming business in Chicago, around 10,000 local taverns (affectionately referred to as ‘dive bars’) are now a dying breed.

On national news CBS Sunday Morning yesterday, they featured these Chicago dive bars and focused on two in particular: Rossi’s on State Street and Andersonville’s very own Simon’s Tavern. In the report, CBS said, “Simon’s Tavern is definitely a place where everyone knows your name… and more.”

Scott Martin has owned Simon’s since 1994, but the bar has been around for 81 years. In the episode, he boasts about the 61-foot solid mahogany bar and that they still use the same walk-in cooler installed back in 1933.

So why the loss of these iconic taverns? One reason is that the owners have retired or have passed away. Also, the report mentions that not only do people drink less then they did a half-century ago, but modern politicians are less favorable to neighborhood dive bars. Many elected officials are looking towards tax revenue, opting for bars that also serve food.

Simon’s Tavern has survived the changing times though. Martin told CBS,”I’ve seen people who have celebrated great things in life, love, friendships that have happened right here at the bar. Some people who’ve been down or unhappy. And you’ve been able to help pick people back up. So it’s an important place, I think.”