Epic purchases carousel, decorations from historic Ella’s Deli

Site staff by Site Contributor

Photo by Kaia Calhoun





























A spokeswoman for Epic said the carousel will be moved in late July and the company hasn't yet decided where it will display the items from Ella's, but hopes to keep them accessible to visitors.





Owner Ken and Judy Balkin closed the deli in January so they could retire.

Verona-based medical software giant Epic Systems is buying the rotating ride along with other decor from the historic ice cream parlor and restaurant.

The iconic carousel at the now closed Ella's Deli on East Washington Avenue in Madison has a new owner.

Oakbrook Corporation Ella's Deli







































Epic has purchased the carousel and decoration collection from Madison’s historic Ella’s Deli.

Ella’s Deli, a former ice cream parlor and restaurant with the outdoor children’s carousel visible from busy East Washington Avenue for decades, closed in January. Owner Ken Balkin said he and his wife Judy closed the restaurant because they want to retire.

“Helping to preserve part of this iconic Madison landmark was an easy decision and we look forward to ensuring the carousel and creative collection find a happy home on the Epic campus,” Epic administrator Kara Rettenmund said in a statement.

Officials with Epic said a team started assessing the best way to transport the carousel and decorations to the Epic campus on June 19. They believe it will take until late July to move all of the items.

Rettenmund told News 3 that the health care software company hasn’t decided where it will display the purchased items, but hope to keep them accessible to visitors.

“We’re grateful to Ken, Judy, and their staff for over four decades of family fun, good food and priceless memories for all who walked through their doors,” Rettenmund said.

Epic officials first started talking about making the purchase in early June.

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