A beloved restaurant in Brooklyn is making an appeal to not only their customers but also outside donors for support to help keep its doors open. NY1's Jeanine Ramirez filed the following report.

Paying homage to Nelson Mandela, the name of a Brooklyn restaurant is Madiba, the affectionate nickname for the late political leader and revolutionary figure. Its menu celebrates South African cuisine. For many of its longtime patrons, though, it's more than an eatery.

"I've read poetry here. I've been at Madiba Mandela celebrations," said one patron. "This is one of the most fabulous places that I know."

"Madiba represents that home away from home where you can come and have a drink, an interesting conversation," said another. "There are people who got married here."

Madiba has been a staple here in Fort Greene for more than a dozen years, but it now faces the risk of closing. A holiday party Wednesday was turned into a fundraiser.

"We just kind of need a blanket to get us through so we can just kind of get through this drought time," said owner Mark Henegan.

Henegan says his short-term goal is to raise $200,000. His long-term goal is to find an investor so he can stay in the DeKalb Avenue corner space. Henegan says the landlord has been steadily raising rent and is looking to replace the South African spot with a Starbucks.

"We're one of the longest-surviving restaurants in the neighborhood," Henegan said. "We want to be here for another 17 years."

Henegan overextended himself when he opened up a second location in Harlem last year. Madiba couldn't get a liquor license there and shut down. But its Brooklyn home has been a gathering spot since it opened in 1999. It's where the community gathered to honor Mandela's legacy when he died by launching lanterns into the sky. It's where some celebrities and high-profile figures have dined, including the president of South Africa. It is also where neighbors came to console each other after the September 11th attacks.

"People started to flock to the restaurant, and it was very clear people's ideals changed," said Denis Dupreez, manager of Madiba.

Henegan says there's been a steady flock of customers ever since. He hopes the support continues.

Madiba started an online fundraising campaign last month. It's found at indiegogo.com.