Business & Tech

Margaritaville Theme Coming to Resorts in Atlantic City

Councilman Brian Tyrrell sees this as a lift for the region, including Galloway Township.

Bringing the Margaritaville "experience" to Resorts is one more attraction coming to Atlantic City that should also be a boon for Galloway Township, Galloway Councilman Brian Tyrrell said. He made his comments following a press conference he attended held by Gov. Chris Christie announcing the arrival of Atlantic City’s newest attraction on Tuesday afternoon, July 24.

“For a township that relies heavily on employment in Atlantic City, it’s one more attraction,” said Tyrrell, who is also an Associate Professor in Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies at the “It will create jobs, bring visitors and help sustain an economy that relies so heavily on hospitality and tourism.”

Christie held the press conference alongside Senate President Stephen Sweeney, Resorts representatives, members of the Casino Reinvestment and Development Authority (CRDA), and entertainer and Margaritaville owner Jimmy Buffett.

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He said giving Resorts the Margaritaville makeover will be a $35 million project that will created about 250 construction jobs and about 162 permanent jobs for those living in the area. The project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2013.

He said in addition to a casino and restaurant, Margaritaville will offer a year-round beach bar and a coffee shop, among other luxuries.

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“We have great things happening in Atlantic City,” said Christie, who referred to the South Inlet Improvement, the Boardwalk Relighting, and the Steel Pier Renovation projects.

“The governor has shown a steadfast commitment to the resort area,” Sweeney said. “It’s very exciting to be here. Enormous progress is being made. Governor Ed Rendell said in his state he has 8,000 people in the casino industry. In New Jersey, we have 38,000 in the casino industry. … That’s why we can’t give up on this area.”

Other Margaritaville Casino and Restaurant locations include Las Vegas, Key West, Biloxi, Mississippi, New Orleans, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Panama City, Nashville, Glendale, California, and Hawaii.

“It’s been a great success in the Gulf Coast,” Tyrrell said. “Jimmy Buffett has one of the more loyal followings of any artist.”

“This is a beach town and I thrive in these communities,” Buffett told the large crowd gathered on the Boardwalk in front of Resorts on a hot day in which temperatures once again broke the 90-degree threshold. “ … It’s another place for my flock of birds to go.”

According to Christie, this is a venture of “all stakeholders in Atlantic City.”

“It’s another bit of non-traditional entertainment,” he said. “It will bring more people and it will bring different people to Atlantic City.”

“It’s a fresh product,” Tyrrell said. “It’s a new brand, a recognizable brand. It helps increase our offerings and separates us from Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York. In this confined area, there’s a multitude of things to do.”

Christie reasserted his commitment to keep gaming to Atlantic City exclusively after being asked about discussions that have recently resurfaced concerning bringing gaming to the Meadowlands.

“I said I was going to give Atlantic City five years to get this town going the way it needs to be going,” Christie said. “There is no way I will allow gambling to go anywhere but Atlantic City, and I know that if a bill is put up for gambling anywhere in Atlantic City, it will die in the Senate.”


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