The Badger Herald: News: Chasers gets liquor license, will open Thursday

News

Chasers gets liquor license, will open Thursday

Quinton’s closes over the weekend

LUKAS KEAPPROTH/Herald photo

A worker takes down Quinton’s sign Tuesday at the bar’s former location at 319 W. Gorham St. Chasers will open Thursday in the same spot.

Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.

Also by Heather Burian:

Part I of III: SHIP: A look at UW's student health care program (October 28, 2009)
Man tries to kill his ex (May 7, 2009)
Several men rob, assault victim on Langdon Street (May 6, 2009)
Road repave should begin (May 6, 2009)
City commission calls Field House landmark (May 4, 2009)

By Heather Burian
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 1:18 a.m.

7 Vote 0 Votes

Chasers, a new restaurant and bar that will open Thursday was granted a liquor license by the City Council Tuesday night.

Chasers will be replacing Quinton’s Bar and Deli at 319 W. Gorham St., which closed its doors for the last time Sunday night.

According to Bill Rudy, owner of Chasers, it has always been his dream to open a restaurant near campus, adding Chasers will bear resemblance to Quinton’s but will bring something more to the table.

“We had been looking for business in Madison for the past four years (and) Quinton’s is a great place to build on,” Rudy said.

Rudy said Chasers will be a great establishment for many University of Wisconsin students to hold jobs.

The Alcohol License Review Committee granted Chasers a liquor license, which mandates the bar must stop selling alcohol at 2 a.m., though the establishment will be open until 2:30 a.m. and can sell food until closing.

Rudy said he thinks the ALRC possibly wants Chasers to disperse people onto the streets sooner than other liquor establishments.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said Quinton’s had to close their doors an hour before bar time.

Over the years Verveer said he received a number of questions and complaints concerning the early closing of Quinton’s.

He describes Chaser’s license a “more liberal license proposal that their patrons will appreciate.”

Also, under the terms of the ALRC, Chasers has to receive 55 percent of its revenue from food while only 45 percent of profits can be earned from alcoholic purchases.

According to Katherine Plominski, Madison alcohol policy coordinator and member of the ALRC, Quinton’s had its liquor license suspended for three days this past June for violating the conditions of their liquor license.

To meet the status of a restaurant, Quinton’s needed to earn 50 percent of its gross through food sales said Plominski, but 52.8 percent of profits were gained through alcohol sales.

Verveer added the reason why the ALRC had issues with Quinton’s is because the committee was unsure Quinton’s was a bona fide restaurant.

“The city conducted not one but two audits of Quinton’s books over the last two years,” Verveer said. “The first audit was inconclusive because the city auditors’ stated they could not figure out Quinton’s book.”

The restaurant and bar, named after Rudy’s son Chase, will be managed by his eldest daughter. Both his son Chase and Rudy’s youngest daughter will be members of the staff.

The bar is “Chasers,” instead of “Chase’s,” because the prior is a nickname his son has gotten over the years.

Rudy added all three of his children are UW students and many of their friends will be waiters at Chasers.

In 30 days, Chasers will also undergo minor construction to its kitchen, Rudy added.

7 Comments | Leave a comment

Anonymous | March 4, 2009 8:15 AM | Reply
IP hash: 6a9775ad

Quinton’s DID NOT get their liquor license taken. They sold their business. Why is it so hard for this paper to get its facts correct?

Anonymous | March 4, 2009 8:16 AM | Reply
IP hash: 6a9775ad

Umm, the ALRC did not take Quinton’s license. Don’t know where the article came up with that one.

Anonymous | March 4, 2009 11:08 AM | Reply
IP hash: 3ee42c50

lame, keep quintons- way better name than “chasers”

Anonymous | March 4, 2009 1:26 PM | Reply
IP hash: 0b9d425a

First Zanders, now Chasers, whats the next bar to reopen named after someone’s son?

And how do you think the daughter feels that she’s going to be managing but got snubbed on the name?

Anonymous | March 4, 2009 2:06 PM | Reply
IP hash: 64b6f6ee

ALRC revoked Quinton’s license? False. Herald you need to do some fact checking and stop making up crap. The license was transferred to the new owner by the ALRC because Quinton’s was SOLD.