Scoop: Hard Rock Cafe in River North closing
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The iconic Hard Rock Cafe sign in River North. Photo: Bruno Perousse/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images
Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe in River North is closing permanently on March 29.
Why it matters: Hard Rock Cafe was once considered the pinnacle of cool, helping to make River North a hot spot for nightlife in the city.
Flashback: When the restaurant and club opened in 1986 at 63 W. Ontario, it anchored a revived tourist district, which at one time included the "Rock 'N Roll McDonald's" and the Rainforest Cafe.
- When Hard Rock opened, it threw a star-studded party that included Oprah Winfrey and Bears quarterback Jim McMahon. Then-Mayor Harold Washington presented owner Peter Morton with Chicago memorabilia.
- Morton was the son of Arnie Morton, a huge Rush Street restaurateur credited with inspiring the Taste of Chicago.
State of play: Peter Morton sold his interest in the cafe chain in 1996. It's now owned by The Seminole Tribe of Florida.
What they're saying: "We will ensure all of our team members receive outplacement support and resources, we welcome them to apply for any other open positions throughout the company," Hard Rock spokesperson Jonathan Goldman told Axios in a statement.
- "We look forward to welcoming guests at any of our other 319 locations in 74 countries, including the nearby Hard Rock Cafes in Rockford and Northern Indiana."
The intrigue: When the Hard Rock Cafe Chicago opened, it was one of the original 10 locations in the world.
- Since then, the company has expanded to include resorts and casinos.
What's next: Five new Hard Rock Cafe and Rock Shop locations are opening this quarter, Goldman said.
What we're watching: It's unclear what will happen to the giant neon guitar sign that stands at the corner of Ontario and Clark streets.
The bottom line: Hard Rock's closing marks the end of an era in River North.
Editor's note: This is a developing story.