What was once Sonic is now NAPA in Middleton WI (the final shot)

Photo by Retiring Guy

3/28/2022 update starts here

Photos by Retiring Gut

1/12/2022 update starts here

Photos by Retiring Guy

12/12/2021 update starts here

Photo by Retiring Guy

11/22/2021 update starts here

Photos by Retiring Guy

Not too far away, on Century Avenue in Middleton, a standalone O'Reilly Auto Parts store is under constsruction.  

9/18/2021 update starts here 

Photos by Retiring Guy

7/4/2021 update, "What was once Sonice is now rubble in Middleton WI", starts here

Photos by Retiring Guy

Napa Auto Parts store is proposed for the site.

Middleton Plan Commission

12/5/2019 update, "University Flats PPD in Middleton (former Sonic site)", starts here.

These scrawny pines are likely to be among the first to go.

Screenshot from Retiring Guy's favorite neighborhood gossip site, Next Door.

According to Middleton's Director of  Planning and Community Development...

There was a gas station proposed on the Rusty’s site, but the City did not allow it because it violated our wellhead protection ordinance (too close well #6 to allow an underground storage tank). When the City turned down the gas station, the Sonic proposal came forward.  See attached docs for reference.

Wellhead protection areas

12/1/2019 update, "Point/Counterpoint on University Flats PPD in Middleton (former Sonic site) starts here.

Source:  Middleton Plan Commission minutes, Tuesday, November 26, 2019 

12/12/2018 update, "8 months later, one Sonic restaurant still for sale", starts here.

Photos by Retiring Guy

Related articles:
[Georgia]  Roadhouse Rib Palace opns in old Sonic.  (Buzz on Biz, 1/1/2013)
[Indiana]  Old Sonic site gives way to Dairy Queen Grill & Chill.  (Banner Enterprise, 3/29/2013)
[Kansas]  Wichita's best-kept secret coming to Derby.  (Derby Informer, 76/8/2015)
[West Virginia]  Beckley Z-Way Project Continues With Sonic Building Demolition.  (WDNS-TV, 3/5/2018)


4/25/2018 update, "Closed for remodeling?  Just kidding!  One Sonic restaurant for sale.", starts here.

Photo and enlargment by Retiring Guy

2/8/2018 update, "The tire tracks of many disappointed Sonic fans", starts here.

There is no signage indicating that this University Avenue Sonic is closed.

Photo by Retiring Guy

Related reading:  
Metro Atlanta Sonic to reopen after being closed for more than a year.  (Atlanta Journal Constitution, 1/31/2018)

The fast-food restaurant at 11960 Highway 92 experienced a change in ownership and was closed for an extensive remodel.

Still no sign of any remodeling activity in Middleton.



"Tracks of my Tears" debuted at #81 on the Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending July 17, 1965.  It spent 12 weeks on the chart, peaking at #16.  Yes, folks, the song didn't crack the top 10.


Original 1/19/2018 post, "Middleton Sonic closed for remodeling", starts here.

iPhone screenshot

Some folks don't realize Middleton's Sonic is closed until they reach this point.

 As for remodeling, I haven't seen any sign of such activity since the restaurant closed 2 months ago.  Maybe a spring project?

 

Photos by Retiring Guy

Maybe not.

August 30, 2016.  Waukesha Sonic closed, could reopen soon under new owner.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

November 21, 2016.  Future still uncertain for Waukesha Sonic.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)