Hard Rock in Tulsa (well, really Catoosa)

[dioscorides]

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081114_319_Adea002744

Casino to reopen under Hard Rock name


By Staff Reports
11/14/2008  9:12 AM
Last Modified: 11/14/2008  9:19 AM

A deal is in the works to reopen the Cherokee Casino Resort as Hard Rock Casino Tulsa, the Cherokee Nation announced Friday morning.

The tribe has entered into a license agreement with Hard Rock Hotel Holdings to make the casino the first Hard Rock-branded property in the region. The agreement is pending review of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

The casino, 777 W. Cherokee St. in Catoosa, is undergoing a $155 million expansion. The new gaming floor is set to open in December, and the newly branded hotel will welcome its first guests in spring 2009.

According to a news release, the new property will bring the Hard Rock experience to Oklahoma with influences from Cherokee heritage, the state's history of musical artists and a blend of the property's current and future amenities and entertainment.

"Being part of the Hard Rock brand, combined with our current expansion, will set us apart from any other entertainment option in the region," said David Stewart, CEO of Cherokee Nation Enterprises.

The tribe will retain full ownership and management of the casino.

"The Hard Rock brand is another tool that we are using to create a diversified, growing economy in northeastern Oklahoma," said Chad Smith, principal
chief of the Cherokee Nation.

The new resort will include the traditional Hard Rock décor, memorabilia and merchandise. It will also feature a 19-story tower; more than 350 guest rooms; a 110,000 square foot casino; indoor and outdoor pools; 30,000 square feet of convention space; a 2,500-seat theater for concerts and sporting events; restaurants and cocktail lounges.

[kylieosu]

Hmmmm. Interesting.

[inteller]

yeah, since the indians (Seminole specifically) own the Hard Rock brand they are going to exploit it for all it is worth.

<you can insert your lame refutes about "exploited for years" here>

I'm kinda disappointed in the Cherokee though, I thought they were doing a decent job of peddling their "star" brand or whatever.

[sauerkraut]

That's Kewl- Catoosa is the home of the famous Blue Whale too. Catoosa is also a port city. Catoosa really rockz![]

[cannon_fodder]

IMHO, the casino's in Tulsa messed up by planting themselves in three separate areas of the city.  Cherokee east, Osage North West, and Creek south.  If they had all built in the same basic area people might actually come to make a trip of it. One casino is fun, but creating a small "scene" would be better to draw people in from other regions.  Any perceived loss to competition would be offset by the extra draw in general.

Per the Hard Rock, it may help them draw people in.  Indian Casino's have a bad rap in general (earned or otherwise), but in some instances it's cool to go to the "name brand" Indian casino's.  Everyone knows the Cherokee Tribe (Osage and Creek are not as well known nationally, let alone internationally).  I imagine some travelers got a kick out of being on Cherokee land.

It will, however, be an odd status bump to be the home of a Hard Rock.  It used to be a big deal, but even though we are coming late to the party it still feels important for some reason.  Like being the last town to get a Starbucks... you still feel like you made it.

[Townsend]

A friend of mine had a good point.

out of towner says "i am going to cherokee casino in tulsa" their friends laugh

they say: "i am going to the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa" their friends say: they have one there?

[inteller]

quote:Originally posted by Townsend

A friend of mine had a good point.

out of towner says "i am going to cherokee casino in tulsa" their friends laugh

they say: "i am going to the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa" their friends say: they have one there?

no, I would still laugh.

the Hard Rock brand is kinda washed up.  it was cool in the '90s to return from far flung places with a "Hard Rock - London" T-shirt.  but it kinda looses the effect with "Hard Rock -Tulsa"

I've been to Hard Rock in Denver and Maui, both are pretty ho hum.

[Townsend]

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by Townsend

A friend of mine had a good point.

out of towner says "i am going to cherokee casino in tulsa" their friends laugh

they say: "i am going to the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa" their friends say: they have one there?

no, I would still laugh.

the Hard Rock brand is kinda washed up.  it was cool in the '90s to return from far flung places with a "Hard Rock - London" T-shirt.  but it kinda looses the effect with "Hard Rock -Tulsa"

I've been to Hard Rock in Denver and Maui, both are pretty ho hum.

They keep all the sharp objects up out of reach at your family functions I'm assuming.

[joiei]

according to their website, this is the only location of Hard Rock Hotel/Casinos

Hotels & Casinos
Biloxi
Hollywood, FL
Las Vegas
Tampa

The one is Vegas is supposed to be one of the hottest properties currently.  Hottest clubs, hotest pool.  The MTV awards were broadcast from there last year or part of them were if I remember correctly.

[Wilbur]

Being a collector of Hard Rock t-shirts, having a new one that is easy to get will be nice.  While I agree the Hard Rock establishment is pretty much like any other sports bar, collecting the over priced shirts are kind of fun.

So far, I have Hard Rock:  Miami, Denver, Detroit, Las Vegas, Key West, Washington DC, Paris & Melbourne.  Sounds like Tulsa might be next!

[ARGUS]

Yawn. They sold out.[8][B)]

[Townsend]

quote:Originally posted by ARGUS

Yawn. They sold out.

Which one?  You have to be able to lower yourself and sell your goodness to the big nasty right?

Which one is the big nasty and which one was the pure entity?

[TulsaEx]

Hard Rock Cafes = Washed up
Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos = Just getting started

[Hoss]

quote:Originally posted by Townsend

quote:Originally posted by inteller

quote:Originally posted by Townsend

A friend of mine had a good point.

out of towner says "i am going to cherokee casino in tulsa" their friends laugh

they say: "i am going to the Hard Rock Casino in Tulsa" their friends say: they have one there?

no, I would still laugh.

the Hard Rock brand is kinda washed up.  it was cool in the '90s to return from far flung places with a "Hard Rock - London" T-shirt.  but it kinda looses the effect with "Hard Rock -Tulsa"

I've been to Hard Rock in Denver and Maui, both are pretty ho hum.

They keep all the sharp objects up out of reach at your family functions I'm assuming.

I think that's gonna leave a mark.

[:O]

[}:)]

[tulsascoot]

I just hope they put in a giant guitar shaped pool.

And imagine this announcement,"The MTV video music awards coming to you from beautiful Catoosa, Oklahoma!!!!"

Oh well, maybe not...