Two New Casinos, Beach Concert Pump Optimism Into Atlantic City
When was the last time Atlantic City was the place to be?
Well, it is today - and this weekend - and, hopefully for a long time!
I had the pleasure of broadcasting the morning show today from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. (We will be there all day Friday, too, from 5:30am - 7pm)
I was so impressed with the whirlwind of changes that have been made in the former Trump Taj Mahal. What an exciting place to be! An almost total remodel awaits you, with music memorabilia galore! Jim Allen, Hard Rock Chaiman and CEO told me that the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is now the biggest holder of music memorabilia in the world! Everywhere you go, there's something new to discover!
I stuck around for the "Guitar Smash" in the Etess Arena, and it was amazing the amount of people who turned out for the event! Ownership and staff seemed primed and pumped for Hard Rock Atlantic City - and the place was packed!
I also had a chance to make my way down the boardwalk to the ribbon cutting for the Ocean Resort Casino. A big ribbon cutting was held outside (where there used to be a huge wall separating the building from the boardwalk.)
At Ocean Resort, again, like Hard Rock, lots of excitement and optimism! Actor Mark Wahlberg was on hand and helped the ribbon cutting. He and his brothers will be opening a Wahlberger's franchise in the new casino. (There's word that basketball star LeBron James was also at Ocean Resort, getting a behind the scenes tour.)
One of the thinks I most noticed today was that there were crowds of people on the boardwalk between The Hard Rock and Ocean Resort - an area that's been dead for more than a year. Just awesome.
The big week continues with Carrie Underwood at the Hard Rock Friday night, and Sam Hunt on the beach Sunday.
Here's hoping for great weather, and lots of people Doing AC!