MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- This Is It!, a well-known LGBTQ+ bar in Milwaukee, announced its permanent closure on Sunday, March 9.

In a Facebook post, the business stated that the COVID-19 crisis, along with the eight-month closure of the street sidewalk outside the business last year, put them in a position that they could not overcome. 

"This is It! has been so much more than a nightlife spot for the queer community. It has been a gathering place, a safe place, a second home, and the memories made at the bar will stay in our hearts forever. We want you to know that we did everything we could to keep our doors open for you," said the bar in the post. 

The bar would have celebrated its 57th anniversary this summer.  It was Milwaukee's longest running LGBTQ+ bar. 

Alderman Peter Burgelis and Alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa released a joint statement on Sunday with a message of gratitude to the business. 

The statement said, in part: "On behalf of the city and the entire community, we want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude to This is It! for its incredible and far-reaching impact over the years. For nearly six decades, this iconic establishment has been more than just a bar — it has been a sanctuary, a safe space, and a vital gathering place for Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community."