'When it's time, it's time': Nick's Restaurant on State Street closing after 65 years

MADISON, Wis.- Stepping into the doors of Nick's Restaurant on State Street is like stepping into the 1960s. But soon memories and history will be all many have left as the owner announced it will close May 11th.

"When it's time, it's time," owner Dino Christ told News 3 Now Tuesday.

While its time may be up, time endlessly wraps around the restaurant, which is among Madison's oldest. "The unique bar patterns, the booths are a big, big, big thing," Christ said.

"Before Nick's restaurant, it was called the Tiger Lounge, and the Tiger Lounge had a black and white pattern and if you come in, it's still on the wall," he said.

And those remnants of time weave into the memories of all its longtime customers.

"Old lights, and yeah it still has that charm and you still have the same people, same guy behind the bar, and yeah, it's just comfortable," John Dillet said.

Nick and Serena Christakos opened the doors of their restaurant on May 16th, 1959. Two years later Dino Christ's father Aristotle moved from Greece and became their business partner.

Dino and his brother took over the business in the 1990s, but recently his brother wanted to leave the industry.

Then, Christ said the restaurant went through some hard times.

"It became a little more difficult after COVID, a lot of things changed. And between inflation and dealing with new city rules and ordinances and things." He said everyone behind the restaurant knew the end was near.

"It just got to be the point where I'd wake up and go to my phone and go, 'okay, what problems do I have to solve today?' As opposed to where I used to wake up and go, 'I can't wait to get to work and see my friends'," Christ said.

Christ will still own the building and will rent it out to a Mexican restaurant. He said he doesn't know the name yet. "And it sounds like they're going to come in and bring a whole bunch of new bright colors and clean the place up."

He said he knew people would be sad but didn't expect the emotions to be as intense as they have been.

Dillet was one of those heartbroken at the news. "We're losing another Madison institution and some of the color of state Street."

He reflected on the time he spent at Nick's fondly.

"(I) grew up in Middleton, but we used to come down here and then all through college, 80s and 90s. We came here a lot, and then come here now with the family," Dillet said.

In his time, Christ said he's seen some famous faces come through.

"Robin Williams was in here and partied one night," he said. "A gentleman came in with his friends and they sat at a booth and they just sat there and he pulled out a guitar and started playing. And I found out later on that it was Lenny Kravitz and his band -- and my manager didn't know who he was."

Server Stella Buckley needed a job while she was in school 3 years ago. Nick's was in the right place at the right time.

"Without any waitressing experience or bartending experience, Dino and Tom hired me immediately," Buckley said. " It's super nostalgic for me to have this place go because it was like my first serving job and my first job. I really felt community with the people that I worked with. They look out for me for anything."

That's what Christ said he'll miss most: the time spent with the people.

"Everyone's asking me what I'm taking, and honestly, it's the memories."

Nick's will be open for a half-day on the 11th, first open to the public to come and say goodbye, then a private party for employees, friends and family.

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