State Street bar The Pub will soon be under new ownership, though the identity of the new owner has yet to be revealed.

According to Alcohol License Review Committee Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, the new owner plans to keep The Pub — owned currently by David Schwoegler — as the bar name.

He said he has no concerns about taking the business over and is in fact excited to do so.

The identity of the new owner was not disclosed; however, the new owner is not an unknown personality and has been a long time successful businessperson on State Street with a focus on fitness, Verveer said.

Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, whose district is representative of mainly students, said the change of ownership is not a big deal. He said students will still be welcome and, due to the recent alterations, more people will come, making it even better.

Eagon said he looks forward to working with the new owner and talking with them about safety and alcohol to make The Pub a safe and fun place to frequent.

In recent months, The Pub has already undergone a series of changes as it was shut down for renovations during the summer and then reopened in late August.

Eagon said the changes made are very welcome to the sustainability of the establishment and should also help create a safer environment.

“Improvements have shown a willingness to take issues to heart and some of the (safety) concerns,” Eagon said.

Verveer said the public was surprised at the improvements made, particularly with the new bathrooms, which he added are nicer than the older ones.

DJs and bands were another hopeful addition in August, but the Schwoeglers did not have the proper license and were forced to discontinue the entertainment. The Schwoeglers are currently scheduled for the ALRC meeting today to obtain a license for live music.

Schwoegler applied for this license in September, but the ALRC decided to not grant the license until a more detailed plan for the entertainment in the bar was presented.

Should a license be obtained in the future for The Pub, Verveer said the music and dance area would make the place unique, as there are not many places on State Street to dance.

“Recent changes are positive in the eyes of the students. … (I) personally go there more often now,” Eagon said.

Verveer agreed, adding The Pub has been a part of the local scene for many years, something many University of Wisconsin students value.

“It had such a chill atmosphere that you could just wear a sweatshirt and have a relaxed night out,” UW student Samantha Kay said.

UW senior Erica Kelly agreed it was not as classy as some of the other bars, but it attracted people in the mood for a certain atmosphere.

“I would call it a back to basic bar, what you see is what you get, no cheap thrills and that’s what makes it great,” said UW student Sara Noyes.

Schwoegler declined comment to The Badger Herald.