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Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com
KISS in concert at The Pearl in the Palms on Nov. 28, 2009.
Monday, Aug. 15, 2011 | 2:46 p.m.
Las Vegas, where it’s easy to rock ’n’ roll all night and party every day, may soon be the capital of Kiss.
The iconic glam-rock band is embarking on two themed ventures that could leave a lasting footprint — in the shape of a high-heeled leather demon boot, of course.
Band members on Sunday announced plans to open a Kiss Coffeehouse in Las Vegas next year. It will be the second Kiss java joint in the country (one in Myrtle Beach, S.C., just celebrated its fifth anniversary) and could set the stage for a national chain. It will also piggyback on a Kiss-themed miniature golf course scheduled to open this fall just off the Strip.
“We’re coming to take over Vegas,” said Johnny Rock, owner of the Myrtle Beach shop and one of the Las Vegas location’s developers.
The Las Vegas haunt likely will be modeled after its Southern predecessor, which is nothing like a Starbucks or typical coffee joint. Twenty-foot-tall smoking Kiss boots greet guests, Kiss music blares and patrons gulp beverages out of 100-ounce “guitar sippers” that flash colors and play hard rock. It’s possibly the last place where you’d want to curl up with a good book.
Extending Kiss’ already billion-dollar brand to coffee and putt putt springs from the success of the Myrtle Beach store and reflects what other celebrities are pursuing. For example, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville franchise has grown to include more than 20 restaurants, a hotel and casinos. Caesars Entertainment is transforming a portion of the Flamingo into a Buffett-themed minicasino that will attach to the Margaritaville restaurant that anchors the north corner of the hotel.
In Myrtle Beach, the Kiss Coffeehouse was twice voted “best coffee shop” by residents and tourists. Sunday, fans from around the world gathered to celebrate the business’s fifth birthday with Kiss band members Eric Singer and Tommy Thayer. It was there the musicians announced their plans for Las Vegas.
In a later interview, Rock said only that the coffeehouse would open “soon” and would be in a different location and under different management than the Kiss minigolf course, which is slated to open in November at the Shoppes at Harmon Square at Harmon Avenue and Paradise Road.
If Myrtle Beach is any clue, a best guess would place the Las Vegas coffeehouse on the Strip. The Myrtle Beach location sits in the middle of Broadway at the Beach, an outdoor tourist area dedicated to flashy restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Rock said developers seek high traffic, high visibility tourist destinations.
“Locations in New York City, Orlando, Hollywood, they’re all on our radar,” Rock said. “Las Vegas was the destination we decided to go with first. It’s where the party is.” And indeed, the band is no stranger to Vegas.
The coffeehouse’s website outlines its real estate requirements in more detail: at least 1,200 square feet in a spot with no less than 5 million visitors annually and no other coffee vendors. Room to build a storefront sign that includes giant boots and the Kiss logo is a must. Casinos, amusement parks and stadiums are cited as ideal venues.
As for the menu, the coffeehouse serves the standard lattes, cookies and teas, as well as some specialties, including a dozen flavors of frozen, $6 “rockuccinos.”
Kiss is among the most merchandised bands of all time (along with the Beatles, AC/DC and the Rolling Stones) and has lent its name and members’ likenesses to comic books, condoms and even coffins. In October, Kiss will headline the first “Kiss Kruise,” a five-day themed voyage from Miami to the Bahamas.
Kiss frontman Gene Simmons explained the band’s strategy last year at a Montreal music conference: “It doesn’t matter what it is: Whether it has music, whether it’s a religious symbol, a political symbol, or a politician — everything should be a brand.”
A tacky act for a tacky city!
I'm actually embarrassed I was a fan of these guys when I was a kid. If I had known Genie Simmons was such an egomaniac greedmonger, I would have never bought a single album or piece of merch with this band on it.
Just waiting for the karma to turn around on Genie.
Gotta agree with both of the above. I liked Kiss, I still like alot of their songs, those guys are and were some great musicians.
But this is just retarded. We don't need another coffee joint, aren't there enough starbucks on nearly every corner to begin with?
The description of this joint sounds tacky as hell. Kiss and coffee, one thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other. It's not going to be good for the economy because they will be whining the chapter 11 blues before you know it.
The only people who would be the slightest bit interested would be tourists (and some locals,) who are still die hard kiss fans which are a rapidly dying breed.
None of the senior citizen type tourists are going to care, kiss was somewhat after their time, and the new breed of jersey shore wannabe types have probably never even heard of them.
Gene: can't you just save and invest what you already got and just relax and enjoy your retirement? Join a book club, perhaps take up solitaire?
Addendum:
Does anyone remember "Kenny Roger's Roasters?" Lol!
... It's-ALL-my FAULT! I gave KISS a good review in "Billboard Magazine," (BB) when they made their 1st. Vegas bow at thee Old Sahara Hotel-Casino convention center! Was my 1st. BB assignment! The Carpenters at thee Riviera Hotel/Casino midnight show - the SAME night - was my 2nd. assignment! Have-NEVER-fully recovered from-THAT-day!?! LOL!!!
"'We're coming to take over Vegas,' said Johnny Rock, owner of the Myrtle Beach shop and one of the Las Vegas location's developers."
I wish anyone who plays their hand in Las Vegas the best of luck. That said, there is no bigger joke in the local business commuity than, "Did you hear the one about the people from (insert name of big city here) who came to Las Vegas to open a (insert name of their popular business back home) and failed miserably?"
rock icons sellout.
Put it between the John Denver School of Flying and the Michael Jackson Plastic Surgery Center!
Bet they are looking for suckers ...er I mean investors.
I bet Gene has a buyer for his ashes already.
WOW:
Is this part of Harry Reids Plan? Did they check with Hary first?
You call this idea "tacky"?? You really need to get out more... Take a look at what the Harvard and Yale educated leaders of MGM and Caesars's have been building the last few years and tell me this doesn't fit in perfectly??
I'm not a fan of KISS in any way.... But to see what an immigrant turned entrepreneur has done with the idea based on some high school flunkies who think they could be musicians, is fascinating...
If it brings in tourists and their dollars, I'm all for it.
Hey @Ol'Buddy..Your name says it all and just might be your problem, too old to move forward. Forget about your likes or dislikes of Kiss,the group, and concentrate on KISS,THE EMPLOYERS,who are bringing jobs to Las Vegas and will be generating much needed revenue from visitors WHO do like KISS!. Let's face it, people previously said the Hard Rock Cafe was tacky but it is flourishing and steadily bringing revenue to Vegas. Let's get over our "personal" likes and dislikes and look at the bigger picture of what our paying visitors will like 'cause there are a lot of 'tacky' people out there who are going to love this idea. The name of the game is MONEY, HONEY.