Knuckleheads owner Michael Kesselman wants to put Halloween on State Street back in the hands of UW-Madison students.
In an attempt to get more people on State Street during Halloween weekend—and at the same time increase businessA-— Kesselman has set up a promotion that gives customers a free Halloween ticket for every $50 spent at Knuckleheads, 550 State St.
The city is currently charging $5 for a Halloween ticket. But Kesselman said the event should still be student oriented and free. He added that he wants to remind the City Council that they were once college students too.
According to Kesselman, State Street will miss out on key student business because of the $5 charge.
""We've made it known to the city that they are killing the goose that laid the golden egg,"" Kesselman said.
Knuckleheads' attempt to get students back on State Street comes in light of the fact that only about 4,000 tickets have been sold thus far.
Madison Parks Department spokesperson Laura Whitmore said the city had no prior knowledge of the Knuckleheads ticket program.
""This is the first we've heard of it,"" Whitmore said ""It just strikes me as somewhat odd that a business would do something like this.""
Knuckleheads manager Steve Agee insisted the store tried to discuss their plans with the city, but with little success.
""They blew us off,"" Agee said.
Whitmore said the Parks Department, which is in charge of managing Halloween ticket sales, is primarily concerned with the total number of tickets sold. She said the city pays little attention to who is selling the tickets.
""[Knuckleheads] are not doing anything legally wrong because the numbers going on to State Street are going to be the same,"" she said.
Whitmore also pointed out that one person can buy only four tickets at any one time and that no one is allowed to buy tickets in bulk.
Kessleman said his store has made only small-scale purchases of Halloween tickets and that they have followed all city guidelines.
""We buy the tickets just like a regular person would have to,"" Kesselman said.
The tobacco shop owner added that he disagrees with Mayor Dave Cieslewicz's plan to charge admission to Halloween, but in the end realizes financial opportunities in the event.
""We are not in support of the closing [of State Street],"" Kesselman said. ""But when it comes down to it, if you can't beat city hall, join them.""
