R Place, a popular Madison gay bar, opened in May 1996 but was forced to close abruptly on January 16, 1997. Following the sudden departure of owners Danny Newman and Rich Fromm, Danny, who was the license holder, refused to sign over the license to his parents, Mike and Nancy Newman. This left the bar operating illegally. With help from Alderman Mike Verveer, the Newmans were able to obtain a new license and reopened the bar in March 1997 under the new name, Scandals.