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Marina City businesses look forward to Wallenda event being over
(Above) Television production trucks parked on Dearborn Street outside Marina City on October 28. House of Blues at right. BIN 36 is farther back. (Click on images to view larger versions.) 1-Nov-14 – Television production trucks camped on North Dearborn Street have hurt at least one business and inconvenienced others at Marina City, where Nik Wallenda will begin and end his high wire stunt on Sunday night. Dan Sachs, co-owner of BIN 36, says business has been “decimated.” The trucks, he says, have completely obscured his restaurant that overlooks Dearborn Street and made valet parking impossible. “I am looking forward to Monday,” said Sachs on Thursday. By order of the United States Coast Guard, there will be no boat rentals at Chicago Electric Boat Company, located on the marina at Marina City. The Chicago River in front of the complex, between the State Street and Dearborn Street bridges, will be closed Sunday from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. At House of Blues, a concert on Sunday by R&B artist Ne-Yo has been pushed back one hour to avoid congestion expected during the Wallenda event. General manager Ryan Shea says ticket holders were notified that doors will open at 8 p.m. and the opening act will start at 9 p.m. Otherwise, businesses at Marina City are trying to make the best of the event, scheduled for Sunday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Dick’s Last Resort is having a viewing party and tables will be taken off their patio to give people more room to watch. 10pin Bowling Lounge, Bar Louie, Hotel Chicago, Smith & Wollensky, and Tortoise Club will be open for business as usual.
(Above) A photo from 10pin Bowling Lounge of its employees supposedly practicing their wire walking. On Friday, Nik Wallenda himself had a message for residents of Marina City who are dealing with international fame at the cost of traffic congestion. “I want them to have a good time and enjoy it,” he said. “I want this to be an incredible experience, not a negative experience, for sure. [I thank] them for the incredible opportunity, these beautiful, iconic buildings to the skyline of Chicago, and having the ability to do it means a lot to me. [I thank them for] being courteous and giving us permission to do this. I won’t let them down.”
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