As early as the 1990s, Madison began experiencing steady economic growth and has undergone a minor recession than other parts of the state. A local third party, Progressive Dane, was founded in 1992. Among the policies supported by Progressive Dane have been an inclusionary zoning ordinance, which was later abandoned by the mayor and a majority of the council, and a city minimum wage. Several members of the party sit on the Madison City Council and Dane County Board of Supervisors, and it aligns itself with both the Democratic and Green parties.
High-tech companies are driving the boom in Madison, many of them fostered by UW–Madison in partnership with local businesses and entrepreneurs to transfer academic research into real-world applications, especially biotechnology. The area’s high level of education attracts many companies to Madison, taking advantage of its skilled workforce. Madison’s population over 25 has a bachelor’s degree in 48.2% of cases.
State street used to be so much more interesting. Oh good another burger/fries or “gelato” chain? How unique.
Yeah it used to have all these unique and interesting shops that nobody ever wanted to buy anything at.
Well, Cat’s Meow was awesome and people bought.
Well, Cat’s Meow was awesome and people bought.
Cats meow was the best! I need my Tish and Snooky’s manic panic hair dye and a studded leather belt 🤙🏻
Nothing against Sacred Feather for those who miss it but that was the peak of “who buys this stuff?” when I was in college decades ago.
The fact that there were enough incense buyers for Shakti AND Sunshine Daydream is impressive
The stoners and the crystal hippies actually hated each other
I did like to go in and look at the hats. …Never bought one, but the variety was neat.
lol state street in these photos almost looks the same. It’s always been places rotating in and out, and always had people whining how its not the same
Have you ever even been to State Street? Or let me guess, you’re some epic person who has lived here all of like four years but you’re an expert on Madison, Wisconsin.
I basically lived on State Street during my teenager years in the 90s and I’ve walked down at many times recently and, no it doesn’t look “the same.”
there’s substantial portions of the buildings that have been torn down and new buildings put in their place that look radically different than what was there back then not to mention that in the 90s, there was more interesting, independent stores and restaurants, and it’s now full of chains.
Yes lol, like it wasn’t full of chains before, check out the NEW CHALUPA photo. Buildings change. The biggest change was probably cultural and way outside of State Street’s power, retail has took a major hit from online in general so it totally makes sense there’s more food, but there’s still a lot of unique places.
You should get out more so that every minor change of a torn down building or a fledging gift shop isn’t a calamity
lol
didn’t need to be rude but they are right.
I’ve lived in Madison for over 25 years and have been coming to visit since the 1980s. State Street has 100% changed.
It isn’t fond romanticizing to say that it isn’t what it used to be, it’s fact. Just look at the pictures that OP posted. Not only is chain to non-chain ratio way different a lot of the buildings in the pictures have been torn down.
I’ve visited most of the other Big Ten campuses and all of them have streets or areas virtually identical to the current State Street. The only way to tell where you are is by what team is on the t-shirts at the apparel stores. State Street may seem to have a lot of “unique” places to someone from a small Wisconsin town that isn’t aware that places like Cane’s, Colectivo, It’Sugar, Urban Outfitters, Kilwin’s, Ian’s, Sweetgreen, Conrad’s, Ragstock, etc. are chains but it really isn’t unique compared to other places. For what it’s worth, I’m sure that the other campuses used to have more local character too.
I’m not necessarily saying that the change is bad, as UW students have become a more affluent group State Street has evolved into what they want; an outdoor mall full of familiar upscale(ish) chain stores and restaurants. Thankfully for those that miss what State Street used to be like it’s not a far trip to Willy Street.
The thing is, when people start telling you about how different things were 25 years ago, invariably they mean they were 25 years younger, so they were different.
I agree to a point but some things are demonstrable, the change in State Street businesses and a fair number of the buildings themselves are right there in pictures.
My personal experience with State Street is 25+ years but I’m sure that we all know someone that has returned for a visit after having been gone for only a few years saying that State Street different than they remember it.
Again, I’m not a member of the “It has changed and is now terrible!” club. I get that cities evolve to what their residents want. That’s exactly what State Street is doing. I’m definitely not one to prefer an apartment building go unbuilt because it would require tearing down a bar. What I’m saying is that, however you look at it, State Street, and Madison as a whole, are different than they were in the not so distant past.
There’s more that’s still there that’s gone. Show me literally any other street from 30 years ago lol
Wow what a throwback. That site has a big ad for “the am I gay test” lol
Oh wow. This takes me back to college and bartending at the Union back in the late 90’s. Lived downtown, and the vibe was so much more relaxed back then. I’ll never forget going to the Cat’s Meow and buying those toasted honey cigarettes at the smokes store, and I wasn’t even a smoker, lol.
Neat. In general, I think today’s State Street is a shadow of its former self, while the Capitol square has enjoyed a (hopefully continuing) renaissance.
Ive been visiting since the 1980s and have lived in Madison for the last 25 years. State Street has definitely changed. As students have grown more affluent it has evolved to fit what they want and has become more of “mall” of upscale(ish) chain stores and restaurants with a few classics (like Himal Chuli, Nick’s, Paul’s Book, etc) remaining.
I’ve been to almost every Big Ten campus and they all have an area indistinguishable from State Street. The only way you can tell where you are is by what team mascot is on the shirts in the apparel store windows.
Thankfully for those that want a State Street feel Willy St and Atwood are full of the local and quirkier types of shops/restaurants that used to populate State Street.
Other areas like King St., much of the Square, East Washington and Monroe St. have improved a LOT over the years. Even Park and Regent streets are seeing nice development. State Street is still enjoyable to visit but is no longer the only show in town.
I’m in Madison and have lived here since I started at UW in 1999. State Street has changed so gradually but so much over the past 2.5 decades. What a nostalgia trip. I miss the more grimy, independent shops that have been replaced by these chain/upscale/generic stores.