Randy Travis

http://www.bizjournals.com/nashville/stories/2009/09/07/daily5.html
Tuesday, September 8, 2009, 2:43pm CDT | Modified: Tuesday, September 8, 2009,
3:05pm
Hard Rock to close for renovations
Nashville Business Journal
An artist's rendering of the revamped Hard Rock Cafe Nashville features a sleek bar
as the focus point of the restaurant.
Hard Rock Cafe Nashville will be closing its doors for three months on Sept. 14,
as it completes a multi-million renovation of the downtown restaurant.
The Silver Dollar gift shop will remain open during the revamp, but the restaurant
will be closed until renovations are completed in December.
The Nashville Business Journal reported in February that
Hard Rock was planning an estimated $4 million renovation
of its downtown Nashville restaurant in the fall, turning its second floor into
a music venue for live shows, special events or parties.
The Orlando-based
Hard Rock Cafe International
announced Tuesday that the renovation also includes a memorabilia redecoration and
new open-air terrace seating.
The ground floor of the restaurant will get a new sleek look, featuring an iconic
bar as the focal point. The second level will be an open space with large glass overhead
doors.
Dozens of new memorabilia items will be on display, including Randy Travis’ guitar,
Hank Williams Jr.’s suit and Michael Jackson’s shoes. The collection also will include
items from Tennessee natives, including a guitar owned by Kenny Chesney and a microphone
courtesy of Hayley Williams.
“Nashville is an extraordinary capital city with an incredibly rich music heritage,”
Hard rock CEO Hamish Dodds said in a statement. “We have enjoyed great success in
Music City since the cafe’s opening in 1994, and we are eager to re-launch the Nashville
cafe as a premier entertainment destination.”
At the corner of Broadway and Second Avenue, the Nashville Hard Rock opened 15 years
ago. Its second floor currently houses offices for staff. Those offices will likely
be moved to the building’s third story, which is primarily used for storage, according
to employees.
Hard Rock Cafe International, which is owned by the Seminole Indian Tribe of Florida,
operates 127 restaurants and 11 casinos around the world.