Dick’s Last Resort likely to open by weekend

(Above) Tables from the old River East location are set up at Marina City on Monday evening. (Click on image to view larger version.)

27-Oct-08 – Dick’s Last Resort will try to open its Marina City location by this weekend, according to the company’s CEO.

Steve Schiff says they have all the required permits and licenses except for the liquor license, which they applied for last November. It could take one to ten days, he says, to obtain the actual license. Tentatively, he believes the restaurant/bar could open as early as Thursday or as late as Sunday.

Nothing special is planned for opening day. “Normally, we’d have a grand opening,” says Schiff, “but we’ve been here 20 years, all we’re doing is moving six blocks.”

The old location in Chicago’s River East area closed for the last time on Saturday night. Tables from the old location have been set up at Marina City and a small staff, including Schiff and company CFO Christy Zirnheld, is busy with final preparations.

Next Thursday, half-page newspaper ads, designed by Mentler Creative Marketing Services of suburban Dallas, that now read, “We’re moving the mayhem to Marina City” will be changed to say “moved the mayhem.”

A couple weeks after opening, Schiff says there will be some special event for Marina City residents, probably on a Sunday or Monday evening. “They can come in, try the food and kick the tires.”

Dick’s will offer a “casual lunch” by day and more of a party atmosphere at night. They still don’t know what the first live musical acts will be, but Schiff is leaning toward an eight-piece “Big Band” sound.

He says he’s satisfied with how little noise travels from the space, but he’s prepared for complaints from residents. “When we get a complaint, we’ll meet with them.”

Schiff asks that residents talk with the restaurant directly and not go to the City of Chicago.

Says Schiff, “Dick’s is for ordinary people. We’re not as crazy as we claim to be, but don’t tell anyone that.”

(Above) Stage area. Door at left leads to residential mailboxes. (Below) View looking north from west edge of tenant space, with the bar at left. (Click on image to view larger version.)