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Rolling Stone Gets Into Restaurant Biz

Hollywood lounge plans to outclass Hard Rock; chain possible

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 4, 2009 10:31 AM CST

(Newser) – Aiming to sidestep the pitfalls that have bedeviled countless other entertainment-industry players, Rolling Stone magazine is opening its own Hollywood restaurant. “We've been looking for the ideal opportunity to expand the Rolling Stone brand," co-founder Jann Wenner tells the Los Angeles Times. And no, it’s not because of the impending demise of print journalism. The publication tries to “increase revenue” in “any economic climate.”

The magazine takes pains to distance its new lounge from similar ventures with tumultuous financial histories, like Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Cafe. “The food will be higher-end than Hard Rock,” a partner says. “The venue itself will be for higher-end audiences." And the décor will be standard late-night lounge. “We don't want it to be a museum,” the partner continues. “We won't have Elvis costumes on the walls." Zing!

Jann Wenner, Co-founder of Rolling Stone.
Jann Wenner, Co-founder of Rolling Stone.   (Getty Images)
The Rolling Stone magazine cover from Jan. 22, 1981, by photographer Annie Leibovitz, depicting John Lennon and Yoko Ono.
The Rolling Stone magazine cover from Jan. 22, 1981, by photographer Annie Leibovitz, depicting John Lennon and Yoko Ono.   (AP Photo)
Jann Wenner, co-founder of the Rock Hall and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine attends the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, October 30, 2009.
Jann Wenner, co-founder of the Rock Hall and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine attends the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden in New York, October 30, 2009.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Jes
Dec 4, 2009 8:49 AM CST
I'm sure it will be just as classy and authentic as Hard Rock.
Snarfeh
Dec 4, 2009 6:19 AM CST
Higher end audiences? RS always was the stuffier rock mag when I was a teen. I'd rather go to a restaurant opened by Creem Magazine. Boy howdy!

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