Your Daily Guide

🏊 Want to Swim in Goodman Pool? Sign a Waiver.

• With Goodman Pool set to open for the summer on June 11, all swimmers will now be required to sign a pool waiver before they can enter.
• Under the new policy, approved by the city’s Parks Commission, visitors must sign the waiver, confirm household information, and have a photo on file at the pool. Visitors are encouraged to fill out the checklist before opening day so they can easily enter the pool on June 11.
• Some context: Last summer, the pool began requiring children 16 and under to be accompanied by an adult after several large fights between teenagers broke out at the pool. That rule will remain in effect this summer. [Madison365, Madison Parks, WMTV]

🐶 All Ridgland Farms Beagles at DCHS Have Found New Homes

• Dane County Humane Society announced all of the beagles that the non-profit took in from Ridglan Farms have been adopted.
• Admitting teams at DCHS examined the dogs, gave them vaccines and medication, and microchipped them. Shelters around the United States took in 450 of the dogs, while 50 remained with DCHS and have now all been adopted.
• Meanwhile, UW-Madison officials are investigating what role a campus group played in an April 18 protest at Ridglan Farms in which protesters attempted to enter and take dogs from the animal testing and breeding facility. Officials say the actions of Animal Advocacy, including putting up a flyer advertising the protest and soliciting others to attend, may have violated campus policies. [WMTV, 🔒WSJ]

🛍️ Art Gecko Owner To Open New Shop on Willy Street

• Amara House, a new home decor store with an emphasis on Balian and Indonesian design, will open this summer on Williamson Street.
• The store will be housed in a renovated 130-year-old Victorian home on the east side street, and will be owned by Nosheen Ajmal, who owns Art Gecko on State Street.
• Ajmal said on Instagram that the name Amara is drawn from the Sanskrit word in Hindi meaning “everlasting,” and that the store will specialize in “products that will outlast trends.” It is not related to the Italian restaurant of the same name that was at Hilldale from 2022 to 2024. [Instagram, Art Gecko, Madison Magazine]

Young Blood Beer Co. (DeForest)

The long-awaited taproom and brewery in DeForest has an official opening date – tomorrow! They’re celebrating the launch of the 6,500-square foot space on May 29, which includes a full kitchen, with some typically normal Young Blood beers – a bourbon-barrel aged espresso stout and a pineapple upside-down cake inspired pastry sour.

Primer Coffee (Capitol East)

This coffee shop has opened inside the Hotel Indigo on East Wash, with a summer menu that includes Dubai chocolate iced lattes and bakery goodies.

Alice & Bernice Kitchen (State Street)

Located inside the JustVeggiez space, this new spot adds meat options to the vegan space. Chef James Bloodsaw prides itself on its gluten-free fried chicken wings and cheese curds, along with salads, jerk chicken, mac & cheese, and more.

Little Tibet (Madison Public Market)

Not only do we have a firm opening date for the long-awaited public market (July 23 – squee!) but two new food vendors have been announced. Little Tibet, a longtime favorite for its Himalayan and Tibetan food, will be opening a “kitchenette” in the market. Fortune Favors, the Madison candied pecan business, will also have a presence at the market.

Social Grounds (One Social Food Hall)

The food hall on West Wilson Street has opened two new vendors, a coffee shop called Social Grounds and a sushi spot called Mizu. And you can enjoy both while overlooking Lake Monona on the food hall’s new outdoor space, The Promenade.

Tous les Jours (State Street and Middleton)

This regional coffee chain is coming in hot to the Madison area, announcing on Instagram that it will open two spots on State Street and Middleton sometime in 2026. The menu combines hot and cold coffee drinks with cakes, macaron and other sweet treats.

The Perch (East Side)

Mint Mark has opened its own outdoor cocktail bar on the sixth floor of the building it occupies on East Washington Avenue, where you can have a drink and enjoy the view or wait for your table downstairs.