🏨 Historic building on Square will be a hotel

🏨 Capitol Square ‘Skyscraper’ Becoming Boutique Hotel

• While big-city folks might scoff at the idea of a nine-story building being a “skyscraper,” the nine-story Churchill Building at 16 N. Carroll St. on the Capitol Square was considered so tall when it was built in 1915 that it prompted the city to pass height restrictions.
• Hovde Properties now owns the historic building, and now plans to return it to its hotel roots by renovating it to become an 84-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel. The boutique hotel is scheduled to open in late 2026 [ 🔒 WSJ]

🚨 Bar Loses Liquor License Over Drunk Driving Death

• The Madison City Council voted unanimously Tuesday against renewing the liquor license for The Red Rooster after a former bar manager was involved in a fatal drunk driving accident last December.
• The bar manager is accused of being intoxicated while serving alcohol that night, then running a red light minutes after leaving the bar, causing an accident in which one motorist was killed. The manager was also not licensed to serve alcohol.
• The Red Rooster, an east side bar that specializes in blues music, will have to stop serving alcohol by June 30, although owner Timothy Payne is allowed to seek a new license. [Isthmus]

🦆 Duck Pond Will Host New Music and Food Festival

• The friendly confines of the Duck Pond will become home to a new food and music festival on Madison’s north side. True North Festival on Sept. 27 will feature headliner Pokey LaFarge and local bands like Mama Digdown’s Brass Band and the People Brothers Band.
• A dozen local restaurants, including Heritage Tavern, Ahan, Salvatore’s, and more, will be selling food at the festival. Tickets are $15 and go on sale Friday. [News 3, True North]

There’s no shortage of ice cream in Madison – we are in the Dairy State, after all. But with so many options, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

We’re happy to help. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, the team did the hard work of trying 10 different flavors of locally-made ice cream (and custard!) and ranking them by taste, texture, and originality. No need to thank us.

We also put out the call to our readers and listeners to tell us your favorite ice cream. And, boy, did you deliver. Think of this as our cone-clave.

Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

• Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Company was founded in 1962. After more than 60 years in business, the company now has nine ice cream parlors and a manufacturing plant in Madison.
• Flavors to try: Based on reader reaction, Chocolate Shoppe is clearly the people’s choice. This @#$% Just Got Serious (a fave of Instagram user @stringsandthings83, Exhausted Parent (which one of our Instagram followers, @latlong.shop, said they were “feeling seen” by), and Blue Moon Oat Cream (it’s vegan!). Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett also backed the Blue Moon.
• Reader Gretta W. said Door County Cherry is “very seasonal and just the best.” Susan S. loves Zanzibar Chocolate, while Carol R. goes for London Fog.

Ice Cream Social

• Ice Cream Social started as an Instagram project meant to raise money for Madison organizations fighting for social and racial equity. The page exploded in popularity, often selling out quickly. The brand opened a brick-and-mortar location in March 2022 on University Ave.
• Flavors to try: Cherry Styles, Movie Theatre Trash Can, Chocolate Buttermilk. Pro-tip: You can get a flight of flavors for the days when you just can’t decide.
• Readers Jeff M. and Gretchen N. praised Ice Cream Social for its interesting and delicious flavors. And Jacque M. noted that a great ice cream experience is about more than just the ice cream. “Their homemade gluten-free waffle cones are the bomb—crispy, flavorful, and the perfect match for their rich, creamy scoops.”

Good News

• The combination ice cream shop and cafe is a fairly recent addition to downtown’s food scene. Aside from ice cream and other sweet treats, the shop also offers breakfast and lunch items.
• Flavors to try: Fig & Honey, Blueberry Honey Lavender, Chocolate Hazelnut. The team loved their Thai Tea flavor.