sears tower name change? hear from the owner -

i talked to him this morning – want to know what he said? first, a quick story…..

will never forget, was so nervous on my first day moving into my dorm/suite at the harvard business school – totally intimidated w/ no friends- like high school all over again.  Across the hall was a bedroom door 3 ft away where I could over hear a guy that was now my suitemate- with a noticeable accent- so assumed he wasn’t from the country like most other classmates in this particular program- and thought it was only right to give him a big american welcome. so i intro myself and say- hey man- I’m billy dec- from chicago- i’m in entertainment- and he says- hey, im joe Moinian- I love chicago- and travel there all the time!  I say- great! Feeling totally in position to be the guy to invite him to my hometown place of business- I say, well when you come- I can show you the city! and you have to let me take you to my place rockit for a burger!  Just as I am getting over myself thinking I am sorta connected to the city more than any other classmate- I say- wait, you love chicago and go there all the time- why?  He every so as a matter of fact says- oh, I just bought the sears tower.  Omg!  never felt smaller- cant believe I just showed off that I have a burger place- and he has the sears tower- wow- almost packed my suitcase and left right there- knowing I was way out of my league!  Long story short, we became great suitemates, study buddies and friends- he’s funny, cool, smart, nice,… definitely a man who works hard and knows what he is doing- someone that I could look up to for friendship and advice… especially if revolved around business and real estate.

Anywho, I woke up this morning to all the crazy headlines of the new name change for the sears tower- so I hit him on his cell to ask him all about it

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the people have spoken! our first reviews are in!

Billy & Johnny B Interview – The Loop

here is our first radio interview with johnny b on the loop! click above to enjoy!

here is our first food review in redeye/metromix today :

http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/restaurant_review/first-look-sunda/1017932/content 

and here are amazing words from one of the foremost authorities on the vibrant chicago restaurant industry, penny pollack….

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u2 in town for a reason (and for a chicagoan)

Rumors are true- U2 snuck in town to kick it at the Metro last night doing a super chill personal down and dirty Q & A with a select hundred or so guests- I was super honored to be there- props to them for such a unique and different way to promote the new album and North American tour- which kicks off in Chicago on Sept 12 ‘09 at Soldier Field!  And of course by picking chicago as a place to have this special experience, and to start launch their entire tour, certainly makes it evident that they know the value of chicago fans, exposure and influence.

But behind all of this- I think we need to give props to one special Chicagoan that helped make this happen- and that most U2 fans that praise their appearance don’t know about- and that’s my really wonderful friend- metro owner joe shanahan.  We had our “monthly lunch” together at uncommon ground Monday, day before all this went down, and I was just so proud to hear about how his great relationships he created and developed with bands like U2 (REM, New Order, Smashing Pumpkins,… list goes into the hundreds…) over decades of promoting them and their performances in Chicago, for Chicagoans- has turned into a comfort and love for being in our city- and a feeling of true friendship- that these bands, talents, icons,… truly value our city and want to be here, at the level exemplified by U2 above.  It’s just amazing joe- as just another Chicagoan trying to welcome the world to love our city- thank you for what you do.

Tags: bono, metro, u2

new venue, new jobs, new fun!

On a day when unemployment in this country is at it’s highest- since before most of us started being old enough to work- it comes with great excitement to announce that we are putting about 125 new Chicago jobs out there in the next couple weeks with a new project we just signed to open a Rockit Bar & Grill across from Wrigley Field- to open in less than 60 days- in time for opening of Cubs Season!  Can’t believe I am announcing a new project before our current New Asian Restaurant project Sunda technically opens to the public tonight (which was 150 new Chicago jobs- and this group is truly amazing!).

I know the economic environment is scary, but we are pushing through and investing in this city as much as possible.  We all need to just keep creating more positive energy, action, excitement,… anyway we can… and all will be good soon!  And thank you Chicago friends for allowing us to grow- by always supporting our venues- we promise to keep throwing it back to you in quality everything- any way we can.

If you know someone that might be interested in being a part of the Rockit Wrigley team, tell them to check this out, because we are moving fast-

Open call for jobs is this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Rockit Bar & Grill (22 W. Hubbard) between 10am-4pm.  Bring a picture and resume.  And good luck!

beautifying chicago!

First of all, thanks to the one thousand beautiful happy smiling faces that were part of the big blog launch party last night- too fun- so great to see everyone! (pics and video to come)

tonight i’m super excited to host the chicago flower and garden show kickoff party at navy pier with my good buddy from nbc anna devlantes, martin castro, donna la pietra and the amazing crew from the mayor’s office!

why? because I love anything that beautifies chicago (im a total nature boy).  I also think we all really need to get out and support these shows/conventions on a whole other level when they come to our city- as it’s tough out there- can’t lose them to vegas and other cities that are fighting for the income, action, tourism,… that they bring us- and I guess now, some are just canceling all together due to economic reasons— and we can’t have that?!?!  So if for some reason can’t make it tonight, stop by while it’s here between 3/7 – 3/15!  You rock-

(oh, and I think I am being made fun of in daily candy today? Or maybe that’s good press?  Anywho- for those that have been asking, sunda officially opens to public Monday (3/9) and you can get to info and reservations on the site sundachicago.com or click the logo to right- seeya!)

chicago's got talent! and the can't miss event….

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z30sBgLpMyQ

you got to see this – host of “america’s got talent” explains why chicago is first! 

and invites you to the biggest party of the year….the launch party for this blog! 

(and check out the background! that’s us in sunda after a practice dinner)

Tags: A chicago thing, America's Got Talent, Blog, Busta Rhymes, Nick Cannon