{{{Star Tribune http://www.startribune.co...26585.html
Published Sep 12, 2002
Linda Mack

Block E roared to life Wednesday as employees at the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Minneapolis' long-awaited entertainment complex readied for today's official opening.

Waiters and waitresses in signature black outfits screamed and applauded as a half-dozen Minneapolis police officers filed in to try out the staff's last practice lunch. Music -- hard rock , of course -- blared. Workers filled shelves with Hard Rock shirts, glasses and games. Prince's purple shirt and high-heeled shoes gleamed from a second-floor display case.

In addition to the restaurant, which will be the first business to open its doors in Block E, new skyways linking the development to Target Center and City Center will open today.}}}

There has been parking, drug dealing, Ribfest events and Smashing Pumpkins concerts on the block in recent years, but no ongoing legitimate business has operated on the block since October 1988, when it was leveled.

"I'm glad something finally got built," said Bernie Miller, an engineer at the nearby Marriott Hotel who had been recruited as a lunchtime guinea pig.

The wide skyways across Hennepin and 1st Avs. N. will be open between 6 a.m. and 2 a.m., said Block E's General Manager Sue Bonin. Escalators will move pedestrians between the skyway level and the Hennepin Avenue sidewalk and elevators will give access to the underground parking, which opened last month.

The rest of the complex is in varying states of readiness. The first truckload of merchandise is being unloaded at the two-level Borders Books and Music, which is to welcome customers Sept. 28. Other tenants, including the 15-screen Crown Theatre cineplex on the third floor, the two-level Gameworks, and smaller tenants such as Starbucks and Coldstone Creamery will roll up their shutters this fall.

Jamba Juice and Improv Comedy Club, previously announced as tenants, are no longer part of the tenant mix, Bonin said.

The Le Meridien Hotel on 1st Avenue N. won't be ready for guests until next year, Bonin said. But the perennial gardens and fountain facing Target Center should be complete by month's end. And the Minneapolis City Planning Department has approved a design for a stairway linking the sidewalk and the skyway level on the 1st Avenue side, where a disagreement over a planned outdoor escalator caused a last-minute design fracas. The Minneapolis City Council is expected to approve the stairway design Friday.

Lee Bailey, general manager of the Minneapolis Hard Rock, said he is eager to open the two-story theme restaurant, the first Hard Rock in the Twin Cities.

"Could you get a better location in Minneapolis?" he asked, noting that Target Center and First Avenue nightclub, both across the street, together can draw 20,000 people a night.

He said corporate trainers had been introducing the almost 200 employees to "the Hard Rock way" -- the culture and fun-loving atmosphere of the 31-year-old, London-based company. Unlike most chain restaurants, Hard Rock gears its theme to its location: "Here, we're more Prince."

Retail Manager Tom Docken encouraged people to walk through the place and use the stairway that links the first-floor restaurant with the skyway level.

Mayor R. T. Rybak, who criticized the city's $39 million subsidy of Block E in his campaign, said it's now time to celebrate the return of entertainment and "the skyway highway." He'll christen the Hard Rock Cafe at 11 a.m. with a ritual guitar-smashing ceremony.

Just found a related story on Block E with another Prince mention:

"Here are a few things on display at the new Hard Rock Café in downtown Minneapolis:

Start with guitars, including instruments owned, touched or built for musicians Prince, Pearl Jam, Jonny Lang, Steven Tyler, Sean Hurley, Andy Curran, Ronnie Earl, Bono, Richie Blackmore, Jack Bruce, David Bowie, Jamie Steward and Nikk Sixx."

rest of article @ http://www.twincities.com...062666.htm

Across the street from the target center.

Glad some1 can atleast see some Prince items...
this is the 2nd time in a year that i've ordered from NPGMC and not gotten my Prince items..and i'm not talking about cd's.
1nder y people feel like the NPGMC is " Unorganized"?

Habibi lives

It's about damn time this city of ours gets caught up with the rest of the country.What a perfect spot though,u look out the door & theres First Avenue

Electric1 said:

yeah all 3 right there downtown... First Avenue,
Target Center and now, The Hard Rock Cafe. smile...

so when are they going to build the kansas city hard rock cafe ???

btw, a little bit of trivia:

dan aykroyd owns the chain...

I walked through last night. There is a big Prince display. An autographed "Prince" album, a letter to a fan, some boots (Rasberry Beret video?? Not sure) Some pants, a shirt, handwriten lyrics to an unreleased song (called "Maybe" I think) a guitar, three new flat screen imacs showing Prince videos, a few other items I'm forgetting. It is kind of cool. But not as much stuff as in the Paisley Park exhibits at the Celebrations!

I've been there a few times in the last couple of days (my good friend works there) and the display is pretty good. My fave is the framed handwritten letter to a fan back in June of 1984...it is the sweetest!

Electric1 said:

that's the biggest problem right there. the hard rock stix out like a sore thumb on that corner, and it looks awkward there.

u can have yo hard rock...i'll take my good ol' first ave., thankyewverymuch.

Good! Another spot 2 visit when I go 2 the Celebration next summer!



HOPEFULLY when.