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Anthony's Restaurants LLC license on record at 226 State St

Anthony's Restaurants LLC license on record at 226 State St

Money Moves Madison, WI local

The address housed Nick's for 64 years before closing in 2024

Yesterday: Anthony's Restaurants LLC license on record

Overview

Updated Yesterday

The address at 226 State St has served food since 1933. Nick's Restaurant ran there for 64 years before closing in May 2024. A Mexican spot, El Águila Real, took over that August.

Now a new name is on the record. Anthony's Restaurants LLC has a 'Primarily Restaurant' license with Public Health Madison & Dane County. The record first appeared on the city's list September 11, 2026 — one approval among several the business still needs.

Why it matters

226 State St has served Madison since 1933, and a new license means the iconic Nick's corner is changing hands again.

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Key Indicators

64 years
Nick's operated at 226 State St
The diner ran from 1960 to May 2024.
2
New tenants since Nick's closed
El Águila Real opened in 2024; Anthony's license is on record.
1
License on record for Anthony's
The 'Primarily Restaurant' license first appeared September 11, 2026.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

January 1933 September 2026

5 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date
  1. Anthony's Restaurants LLC license on record

    Latest Licensing

    The 'Primarily Restaurant' license first appears on the city's list.

  2. El Águila Real opens at 226 State St

    Opening

    Mexican restaurant replaces Nick's in the space.

  3. Nick's closes after 64 years

    Closure

    Owner Dino Christ announces the final day on State Street.

  4. Nick's Restaurant opens at 226 State St

    History

    Nick and Selena Christakos open the Greek-inspired diner.

  5. Julian's Delicatessen operates at 226 State St

    History

    The address begins its restaurant lineage.

Scenarios

1

Anthony's opens at 226 State St

Likely Resolves by Mar 11, 2027

Discussed by: The license record itself

The company has taken a concrete step toward opening by securing a license on record. If Anthony's completes the remaining approvals, it would be the third restaurant at this address since 2024.

2

Anthony's license doesn't lead to an opening

Possible Resolves by Mar 11, 2027

Discussed by: General observation of restaurant licensing patterns

Restaurant licenses are sometimes obtained but businesses never open. If Anthony's fails to complete the remaining steps, the space could sit vacant or attract another tenant.

3

Anthony's opens but the location struggles

Possible Resolves by Sep 11, 2028

Discussed by: Observers of the location's recent turnover

The location has had two tenants in two years. If Anthony's opens but can't sustain the business, the address could see another turnover.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

1977

The 1977 fire at 226 State St

A fire gutted the upper floors of buildings flanking Nick's. Owner Arist Christ kept the restaurant open, calling the blocks around the Capitol 'a skid row.'

Then

Nick's survived the fire and continued operating.

Now

The location proved resilient, operating continuously for decades.

Why this matters now

The current turnover, three tenants in two years, contrasts with the location's earlier resilience.

1990s-2020s

The decline of the American diner

Diners across the United States have closed as costs rose and eating habits shifted. Nick's was one of the last operating in Madison.

Then

Many beloved local diners closed, replaced by new concepts.

Now

The diner as an institution has largely disappeared from American downtowns.

Why this matters now

Nick's closure fits a broader pattern of iconic local restaurants giving way to new tenants.

Sources

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