By RUTH CASTILLO
The celebration of Hard Rock Cafe’s grand opening shook up Salt Lake City in August.
“Salt Lake City has come of age,”said Mayor Deedee Corradini at the celebration. Jim Berk, President and CEO of Hard Rock Cafe international, Inc.,stated that this is the 89th Hard Rock Cafe in the world. It is located at 610 Trolley square (500 South between 600 and 700 East).
“It’s only rock and roll and I like it,”said Governor Michael Levitt.
Levitt believes that the cafe will be a major tourist attraction. “I think Greylines are changing the Salt Lake City Tour as we speak.”
“We are proud to share the single largest catalogue of rock`n’roll memorabilia with Hard Rockers around the world,” said Berk. Berk stated that the collection began in 1971 with Eric Clapton’s guitar and now includes items from famous Utah artists who have contributed to the world of music and pop culture.
Patch-work boots worn by Marie Osmond on the “Donny and Marie” show are one of many items of memorabillia which heavily decorate the walls of the cafe. The latest item added to the cafe is are a pair of custom designed snow skis, displaying a guitar and the Hard Rock Cafe Symbol, provided by Evolution Ski Company. They are a gift on behalf of Salt Lake City.
Berk believes that the cafe will bring great philanthropic opportunities to the city. Ninety-six percent of the cafe’s employees are from Salt Lake.
“We will make you proud,” said Berk. Hard Rock Cafe Inc. partnered with the Assistance League of Salt Lake City to raise funds for needy school children in the area. A total of $20,000 was raised, of which $5,000 was given on behalf of Hard Rock Cafe Inc.
Waitress Saharon Bowers said local bands will be performing in the cafe’s private club upstairs. Memberships can be purchase at the cafe.
The “New Geneneration Gospel Singers” from Salt Lake’s Calvary Baptist Church started off the grand opening by singing “This Little Light of Mine”. Group members stated that they chose this song to emphasize that the light is at Salt Lake City and Hard Rock Cafe helps to illuminate that light.
“The people that are here are rocking the town already,” said Rita Gilligan, a Hard Rock Cafe waitress since June 14,1971. Gilligan believes that everyone has to visit a Hard Rock Cafe atleast once in their life time.
Hard Rock Cafe Salt Lake City will operate from 11 a.m.-midnight from Sunday through Thursday. On Fridays and Saturdays, it will be open until 1 a.m.
