Construction workers are putting the finishing touches on the Hard Rock Cafe Lake Tahoe inside Harveys Resort Hotel/Casino.

The Lake Tahoe version of the popular worldwide attraction is scheduled to quietly open for business June 30. A private grand opening follows on July 18.

According to Matt Duguay, general manager of the newest Hard Rock Cafe, the design of the Lake Tahoe cafe is one of the most unique in the chain.

“What we’ve tried to create here is what fits in Tahoe,” Duguay said Tuesday. “We’ve tried to create a mountain lodge atmosphere.

“With the memorabilia and music, you definitely know you’re in a Hard Rock Cafe but when the snow is falling, it feels like Tahoe.”

The 6,872-square-foot restaurant incorporates heavy timber and exposed rock construction. Glass dividers are cut and etched into mountain designs and chandeliers are made with naturally dropped antlers.

“Hard Rock Cafe Lake Tahoe will be like no other in the world, particularly with an interior and memorabilia collection that blends rock ‘n’ roll with a unique regional flavor,” said Hard Rock President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Berk in a written statement.

The staff of 150 locally hired people will serve traditional Hard Rock American cuisine such as hamburgers and fries. In addition, each cafe features specials unique to that location.

Once the staff of the new cafe are up to speed, the cafe will host a grand opening celebration with live music and VIP guests. Proceeds from the invitation-only event will go to the Boys and Girls Club Lake Tahoe.

Despite being two weeks from opening, many rock ‘n’ roll momentos already hang on the walls around the almost finished booths and walkways.

Teri Simpson, Hard Rock’s director of design and display, stepped over power cords and tools to point out featured pieces.

“Once memorabilia is pulled together for a (cafe), we group items with the time period or the style of music,” she said.

Noting the progression along one wall from early Beatles to the psychedelic period, she pointed out a 1960s vest belonging to Donovan and psychedelic acid paper designed by Timothy Leary – without the LSD, of course. On other walls hung clothing from Frank Zappa, Alice Cooper, Elvis Presley and Courtney Love. Lyrics of “The River” handwritten by Bruce Springsteen are on display as well as guitars signed by Kenny Rogers (his first guitar), Paul McCartney and members of the group No Doubt. More than 300 pieces including photos, contracts, letters and notes in abundance will be displayed when the cafe opens.

Hard Rock Cafe, founded in 1971, began its memorabilia collection 27 years ago when Eric Clapton asked the staff at the Hard Rock Cafe in London if he could mark his favorite bar stool by hanging his guitar on the wall. A week later, The Who’s Pete Townsend sent a guitar and note stating “Mine’s as good as his!”

Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. now owns more than 48,000 pieces.

To keep displays fresh, the memorabilia exhibits are moved every five years around the 87 Hard Rock Cafes located in 30 countries.

Tahoe Daily Tribune E-mail: tribune@tahoe.com

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