The Roman Candle Pizza
Roman Candle Pizzeria (often Roman Candle Pizza) was a local pizza chain founded by Brewer Stouffer, who began building the first Roman Candle, on Williamson Street, in 2004[1]. At its largest it had six locations, and it was known for using more than 50 local products[1]. The last store, in Middleton, closed in February 2023[2].
History
The chain grew to six locations: Williamson Street, Monroe Street, Middleton, Fitchburg, Whitefish Bay, and one at the Madison Children's Museum[1]. Stouffer's own account in 2022: he opened the Williamson Street pizzeria with a partner, Thomas Cranley, in 2005; Fitchburg followed in 2010, the Children's Museum counter in 2011 and Monroe Street in 2016, and Whitefish Bay ran for five years until 2018[3]. In 2015 Stouffer announced a franchising push, with a $30,000 franchise fee[4]. The Monroe Street store, announced in June 2016 for the Victor Allen's coffee-shop space at 2623 Monroe St. — about 3,000 square feet and 80 seats[5] — closed on December 14, 2019, having lost a quarter of its sales during the street's reconstruction, and Fitchburg on December 21, 2019, for lack of staff[6].
In the first weeks of the COVID-19 shutdown Roman Candle lost 30 to 50% of its sales[7]. The Children's Museum closed in March 2020 and the counter there never reopened. Roman Candle got no Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant, gave away about 5,000 meals to first responders, and in 2022 sales on Williamson Street were still 30 to 40% below 2019[3]. The original Williamson Street store closed on May 27, 2022, in its 18th year[3]: "we just never quite recovered from COVID"[2].
Stouffer announced in January 2023 that the Middleton store, part of Middleton for about 15 years, would close after February 4. It was still profitable, but staff had become hard to find; he had an accepted offer on the building and was working full time as a consultant[2].
Pizza
- The Algo Malo pizza was pictured with the State Journal's report of the closing[2].
Former Locations
- 1054 Williamson St. (2004 to May 2022). Sultan opened there in May 2023[8].
- 2623 Monroe St. (2016 to December 14, 2019)[6]. Alimentari, an Italian deli, opened there in February 2025[9].
- 1920 Parmenter St., Middleton (to February 2023). Fajitas, Tapas & Bar opened there in June 2023[10], and Thalaivas Indian N Chinese Kitchen in 2024[11].
- Fitchburg (2010 to December 21, 2019)[6].
- Whitefish Bay (to 2018), and the Madison Children's Museum (2011 to March 2020)[1][3].
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Euseary, A. (2023, January 25). "Burned out: Roman Candle owner reflects on closing his pizza business." The Capital Times. p. O29. Newspapers.com image 921117520.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Kalk Derby, S. (2023, January 18). "Remaining Roman Candle Pizza to close; 'restaurant work is not easy'." madison.com.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kalk Derby, S. (2022, May 21). "Roman Candle on Williamson Street closing, 'It's just a really untenable situation'." madison.com.
- ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2015, October 14). "Restaurant News: Roman Candle pizza looking to franchise, and spread the 'local'." madison.com.
- ↑ Christians, L. (2016, June 29). "Roman Candle Pizzeria plans fifth Madison location on Monroe Street." madison.com.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Kalk Derby, S. (2019, December 9). "Roman Candle closing 2 of its 4 local restaurants." madison.com.
- ↑ Rickert, C. (2020, March 28). "Quintessential American delivery: Pizzerias adjust, hope to ride out COVID-19 pandemic." madison.com.
- ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2023, October 15). "No-tipping newcomer deserves lots of praise." madison.com.
- ↑ (2025, August 27). Alimentari's second deli at 2623 Monroe St. The Capital Times. p. O32. Newspapers.com image 1243213521.
- ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2023, December 28). "13 restaurants or bars in the Madison area that closed in 2023." madison.com.
- ↑ Kalk Derby, S. (2025, January 1). "54 Madison-area restaurants, bars and cafes that opened in 2024." madison.com.
