New Owners Take Over Mickie's Dairy Bar

A new ownership group that includes former Badger lineman Joe Thomas has acquired the Madison diner, which has been closed since July.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football

Photograph of an unmarked brick corner diner with dark-framed windows on a quiet tree-lined street, with a large stadium rim visible in the distance under overcast sky. — Former Badger lineman Joe Thomas and a new ownership group have acquired Mickie's Dairy Bar, a Madison diner across from Camp Randall Stadium that has been closed since July. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mickie's Dairy Bar, a diner on Monroe Street across from Camp Randall Stadium, has a new ownership group that includes former Badger lineman and NFL Hall of Famer Joe Thomas and current Wisconsin linebacker Mason Posa. The diner has been closed since July and no reopening date has been confirmed.

Why it matters

The diner has operated for nearly 80 years and sits in a prominent spot near the University of Wisconsin stadium, so its status is closely followed by local residents and fans. Its future reopening would restore a long-standing gathering place for the Madison community.

The diner has operated for nearly 80 years and was run by its longtime owners for 35 years before their retirement. No reopening date has been confirmed, and the closure has continued since July.

The players

Joe Thomas

Joe Thomas is a former Wisconsin lineman and NFL Hall of Famer who is part of the new ownership group.

Mason Posa

Mason Posa is a current Wisconsin linebacker who is part of the new ownership group.

Joe Gaglio

Joe Gaglio is the owner of Gotham Bagels and is involved in the diner as manager.

The details

Longtime owners Payow and Janet Thongnuam retired after running the diner for 35 years. Former Badger lineman and NFL Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, current Wisconsin linebacker Mason Posa, and Gotham Bagels owner Joe Gaglio, who is involved as manager, make up the new ownership group.

July 2026: Mickie's Dairy Bar closed.
End of 2026: Fans hope the diner will reopen by this time.

Season Trajectory

The diner sits directly across Monroe Street from Camp Randall Stadium, where it has long served football crowds on game days. Its reopening under new Badger-connected owners would tie a neighborhood institution back to the program's home-game traffic.

Fans who frequent game days near Camp Randall will have to wait for a confirmed reopening date before returning to the diner. The new owners' Badger ties may shape how the diner is positioned for football crowds once it reopens.

The takeaway

Longtime community institutions often depend on new owners who understand their local base. Watch for an announced reopening date from the new ownership group before planning a visit.