A big change is in store for a Milwaukee bar that’s been around for nearly four decades.

Von Trier on Farwell Avenue is getting a little bit more upscale.

The owners want to transform the German style bar into amore mid-century modern cocktail lounge. They understand that not everyone wants the change, but they say sometimes change is necessary.

“You know I’ve seen a lot of things change over 40 years on this street and sometimes if you don’t change you get left behind and potentially you get put out of business,” says owner John Sidoff.

A petition for the bar to stay the same has more than 1,200 supporters. Von Trier plans to close in January and reopen in late winter.