Restoration of The Bright Star murals transforms state’s oldest restaurant

The 101 year old Bright Star murals have been transformed over the past two and a half years to their original glory.   The Bright Star is Alabama’s oldest restaurant and deemed an ‘American Classic’ by the James Beard Foundation .

Earlier this month, WBRC’s Absolutely Alabama featured a segment on The Bright Star’s efforts to restore the 101 year old Bright Star murals back to their original glory.

Watch  Absolutely Alabama: The Bright Star murals

“They (The Bright Star) have respect for tradition and appreciation of the arts, and the expectation that the first 100 years is preamble to the next 100 years, stated John Bertalan, the artist in charge of restoring The Bright murals in the Absolutely Alabama interview.

According to The Bright Star, the murals were painted in 1915 by men traveling through the booming industrial town of Bessemer looking for work. The murals depict the landscape from their native Germany.

This week, Bham Now visited the Bright Star, took some photos of the murals and received a brief tour of the restoration from Jimmy Koikos, one of the owners (check out the family’s remarkable history – here).

Koikos summed up with pride the restoration efforts.

“We are very blessed after 101 years (pointing at the murals) to have these.  The floor is 101 years old. The marble is 101 years.”

He then smiled, chuckled and concluded, “now I’m not 101 years old.”

The Bright Star’s restored murals, its people and of course – phenomenal food, makes it one of Alabama’s most treasured places.

Located in downtown Bessemer at 304 19th Street North
Bessemer, Alabama 35020, make plans to visit this beloved Alabama institution.