The $300 million Hard Rock Northern Indiana in Gary will open this spring as promised, said Matt Schuffert, president at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana. “We should be announcing an opening date pretty soon. We’re very excited to get it open. We’re making great progress.”
The facility will include a casino with 1,637 slot machines and 80 table game, sports book, five restaurants, 1,954-capacity Hard Rock Live performance venue and retail shops, Schuffert said. “It’s hard to put into words how magnificent it’s going to be. When you see the facility and the quality of the finishes and the quality of work that is being done, arguably there’s not much competition from that perspective in this market,” he added.
Employees from the Majestic Star Casino riverboats will transfer to the land-based Hard Rock, and hundreds of new employees will be hired as well. Officials also are seeking local vendors to provide some of the vast range of two dozen commodities that will be required—bakery goods, fresh fish, custom millwork, DJs, snow removal firms and many more.
Tracy Bradford, Hard Rock executive vice president of administration, said, “We are all about developing suppliers. It’s very important to us that we’re not just placing orders. It’s very important that we help you grow your business and embrace the endeavors that would complement our business.”
Hard Rock’s Safe and Sound provisions will be applied to the new casino. For example, Schuffert said patrons have their temperature checked and must wear face masks. “You’re going to see a lot of things when we open the facility from a Hard Rock Safe and Sound perspective that not only keeps guests safe but allows them to continue to feel like they’re having fun. Most importantly, it’s all about the safety of our guests and our team members,” he said.
All five restaurants will be ready to serve guests when the new casino opens, Schuffert said. They include the signature Hard Rock Cafe, Council Oaks steakhouse, YOUYU Noodle Bar, Fresh Harvest Buffet and Constant Grind Coffee Shop. A Center Bar in the middle of the gaming floor and a VIP Plum Lounge also will be available.
As in every Hard Rock facility, music memorabilia will be displayed throughout the venue. Schuffert said many of the items will focus on the Jackson family, who lived in Gary.
Schuffert, also a Gary native, noted more than 200,000 vehicles a day travel Interstate 80/94 past the new Hard Rock Casino.
Gary Mayor Jerome Prince said he believes the new casino plus Hard Rock’s support for small businesses and community programs will bring new residents and companies to Gary. “I believe the energy that surrounds it is going to be catalytic to other folks outside of the community, and inside the community, wanting to step up and make those significant investments also,” Prince said.
Schuffert said Hard Rock is committed to developing a hotel and parking garage in the near future. “Our focus now is to get the property open. We’re pretty comfortable it’s going to be very successful when you take into consideration what we’re building, the brand and the location. We are excited to get the doors open to showcase the Hard Rock brand.”
