After 72 years in the same Fremont location, the Buckaroo Tavern, the neighborhood bar that is still defiantly cash-only and where the popcorn is free and the motorcycles outside are revving, is closing its doors, hoping to find a new home soon.

In July, the Buckaroo Tavern announced its landlords would not be renewing their lease in the building at 4201 Fremont Ave. N that was built in 1908 and became the bar’s home in 1938.

The Buckaroo’s owner, Donna Morey – only the third owner in the history of the bar – said she was disappointed and shocked by the news that the bar would have to close or move, especially because the Buckaroo was doing well, paying rent on time and remaining solvent.

“It’s the saddest day of my life to know that I have to be the person to lock this door for the last time,” said Morrey, who bought the bar with her husband Keith in 1984. Keith passed away in 2007.

Morey said the Buckaroo is a relaxed place where very soul who comes through the door can be themselves. Since purchasing the bar, Morey has hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas potlucks every year.

The bar has been featured in a handful of Hollywood films, including “10 Things I Hate About You” starring the late Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and “Prefontaine” starring Jare Leto and Ed O’Neill. The band Nickelback filmed a music video there, as well.

“It’s a big chunck of Americana,” she said. “And, I don’t want to see it closed.”

Morey’s grandson Christopher has been looking for a new location for the Buckaroo Tavern for the past month. He has found three locations that are acceptable but has been unable to close on any of them, Morey said.

The new location, if there is one, will likely be further up the hill from downtown Fremont, she said.

When Morey and her husband purchased the Buckaroo, they promised the former owner they would keep the bar going and maintain its essence – they would never remodel or turn it into something it isn’t. Morey said she and Keith took that advice to heart.

“We’ve operated that way for almost 26 years now, and I don’t find too many flaws in that business plan,” she said.

That promise is part of what is fueling Morey to find a new home for the Buckaroo. She said they are going to make every effort possible to get all the meaningful parts of the bar, including the famous neon sign and the wood panelling with customers’ carvings in it, into a new home. But, it will be a difficult task.

“All you can bring for sure is your smiling face and encourage all your old customers to come with you,” she said.

Since the announcement of the closure, there has been a steady stream of customers, old and new, from far and wide, Morey said.

One man came in who had been a regular Buckaroo customer in the 50s, Morey said. While he was there, another man came in who happened to be a classmate of his. They spent the rest of the time reminiscing about times at the Buckaroo nearly six decades earlier, Morey said.

The Buckaroo Tavern will be hosting a celebration of its 72 years in business from Sept. 10 to Sept. 17, when the doors that have been passed through by countless of people in need of a drink or some company will close for good.

According to a liquor license application, the property owners, Lars and Nils Christian, are opening a restaurant and bar called Nils-Sila Pub in the space.