The Plaza Tavern and Grill is changing ownership this weekend, but everything area patrons love about the establishment will stay the same. The Plaza, 319 N. Henry St., a long-time staple of the State Street area bar scene, is transferring hands this weekend, signifying the end of almost four decades of service to the downtown Madison community by owner Tom Huss.
Huss, who has operated the Plaza with his family for many years, said a combination of family health issues and good fortune in finding a suitable heir to the tavern's ownership was the main reason for selling the bar.
\There's a couple reasons [for changing ownership]. One is that we have someone who has done a good job and knows the business very well. It's a family-run business, and some of my family members are having health problems, and that's really the main reason,"" he said.
When asked if he had experienced many significant changes in running a bar in Madison since he first started out, Huss said he couldn't pinpoint any one thing in such a varied career, but said that one constant in the business is that it is continually revolving. Huss also said the student turnover every four years has been a big component of his business.
""[UW students] have been a major part of our clientele and I wish I could thank every single one of them for so many years of business. I've enjoyed it, I have no regrets for doing it and I hope they keep coming down and keep me young forever!""
Long-time employee and future owner of the bar Dean Hetue said that he looks forward to operating the Plaza, and understands the city's greater emphasis on safe, legal drinking.
""[Underage drinking] has been an ongoing problem for a long time. We have to make sure that the kids who come in here are 21 years of age,"" Hetue said.
When asked if he will be making any drastic changes to the bar, Hetue said that he wants to keep the Plaza just the way the customers like it.
""We're adding a big screen TV, which I hope will be in place by next week. Otherwise, the Plaza is not changing. The way it's been has worked for a long time,"" he said. ""Keep coming. Nothing's changing--just keep coming!\
