
After nearly four decades of rocking River North, Chicago's Hard Rock Cafe is set to strike its final chord this March. According to a report by Eater, the iconic venue, which has long served as a tourist cornerstone at 63 W. Ontario since 1986, is scheduled to permanently shut down on Saturday, March 29.
The closure marks the end of an era for this landmark location, one of the chain's most venerable, known for its massive Flying V guitar and a vast array of music memorabilia indicative of its rock 'n' roll spirit, along the chain of about 320 Hard Rock Cafes operating globally, Hard Rock International is offering outplacement support to all employees of the Chicago location, and they are also invited to apply for positions at other locations, including those at casino sites in Rockford and Gary, Indiana.
As WGN-TV highlights, the company has not disclosed the specific reasons for the closure, yet it emphasizes its commitment to assisting its staff through the transition. The Hard Rock Cafe brand, which first got its start in London back in 1971, soared to popularity with its signature rock and roll decor and collectible merchandise like logo T-shirts that fans would amass to showcase the cities they had visited.
Much like the music icons it celebrates, Hard Rock Cafe's Chicago presence has a storied lineage; Peter Morton, one of the founders, is tied to the city through his father, Arnie, founder of Morton's Steakhouse, and with his brother, David, also making a name within the local restaurant scene, in 2007 the Seminole Tribe of Florida would acquire the company following decades of growth and expansion, shaping it into the recognizable global brand it is today.