UW-Madison students will soon have two new dining locales at their disposal, following a decision by the Alcohol License Review Committee Wednesday night.
Quinton's Bar and Deli, a new expansion of a restaurant in downtown Iowa City, Iowa, plans to open a new location on 319 W. Gorham St.
Michael Powers, who owns the restaurant along with his two brothers, said that he is going to make Madison home.
\We like the activity downtown, the foot traffic,"" he said.
Powers said their restaurant is special because it not only caters to college students, but to the entire community.
He also said he understood the ALRC's concerns with binge and underage drinking, because Madison is a big college town.
""The beat cop for the downtown area of Iowa City said Quinton's Bar and Deli is one of [Iowa City]'s finest establishments,"" Powers said.
Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, told the ALRC that he is in full support of this license.
Other contributing parties, including building owners Urban Land Development and the Madison City Restaurant Group are also in support of the establishment opening on the currently vacant site on Gorham Street.
The ALRC voted that Quinton's must meet the definitions set for a restaurant, and stipulated the restaurant must close one hour before bar time.
The meeting granted House of Wisconsin Cheese, 107 State St., the right to sell Wisconsin wines and beers along with its current selection of goods.
The committee also approved plans for a small caf?? kiddy-corner to the Vilas Park Zoo.
The caf?? will take over the location of what was the Stop-n-Shop, 1336 Drake St.
Robert Shapiro, the caf??'s creator, said it is a great spot for the caf?? and that he plans to have many fundraiser events.
""I remember going there as a kid and thinking it would be a great place for a restaurant,"" he said.
After undergoing a transfer of ownership, Tutto Pasta, 107 King St., also renewed its license last night.
The new owner of Tutto Pasta on King Street, Jessica Essamilla, hoped to extend Tutto's hours of operation to accommodate private parties, especially around graduation time.
Concerns from the Madison Police Department and the ALRC, especially surrounding the shots fired recently at Club Majestic, 115 King St., rejected Essamilla's request.
The representative from the Madison Police Department said that there are far too many alcohol establishments in the downtown area.
Verveer said he feels the ALRC should judge each on a case-by-case basis.
