Podcast appearances and mentions of glenn straub

On episode 115 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 2015 when the emerging new forces shaping the city were Glenn Straub, Bart... Read more »

On episode 115 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 2015 when the emerging new forces shaping the city were Glenn Straub, Bart... Read more »

As we reported two weeks ago, Hard Rock entertainment will soon be the new owner of the former Taj Mahal Casino on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. That is very good news for this section of our wooden way that was sitting empty and quiet for much of the summer of 2016 all thanks to daily picketing by using 54 members many of whom did not want to strike against Taj Mahal owner Mr. Carl Icahn . But that's another story for another day. It looks like by the summer of 2018 hard rock will be up and running on that massive property the Taj Mahal. This is certainly good news for Anthony Catanoso…the man who runs Steel Pier, right across the Boardwalk from the former Taj Mahal. This should also speed up development of the $14 million observation wheel the 227 foot high, new age Ferris Wheel that's been sitting offshore in containers ready to be erected on the historic Pier. The Taj Mahal Casino has been closed since October 10. It will soon be controlled and owned by a group of investors one of them being Hard Rock. They’re teaming up with two well-known developers in the area Jingoli and Morris. Jingoli is best known for the current redevelopment of the Albany Avenue area site of the former Atlantic City high school. Moving very fast at building the brand-new Stockton University Boardwalk campus here in Atlantic City. They call it the Island campus. I like to call with the Boardwalk Campus, a much cooler, more intuitive name. I’ll have to ask Dr Harvey Kesselman if he agrees with me, when ACprimetime visits with the Stockton President in a few days. Getting back to HARD ROCK & TAJ, it looks like $300 million is what it will take to allow Hard Rock & Jingoli and Morris to transform this massive property. One of the biggest, if not the biggest footprints in Atlantic City. Maybe the best part of the story is that it's probably gonna provide up to 3000 new temporary and permanent jobs. We always had a sneaking suspicion that Hard Rock was going to eventually take over the former Taj. One clue: Hard Rock Cafe was staying put. Even though it was quite dead down on that side of the Boardwalk in front of the shuttered TAJ. Hard Rock Cafe knew that eventually the mother ship would come in and save that property. Operating through thick and thin even with the casino hotel shutting down back in October 2016. Another success story or another smiling adjacent property would be Bart Blatstein's Showboat Hotel. That certainly bodes well for his investment in the former Showboat Casino now focused on being primarily a Showboat Hotel that's good news. This should also boost evaluations of Blatstein's recently purchased volleyball court / parcel of land, a spot in between Showboat and the former Revel Casino Hotel. And Garden Pier, right in front of the former Revel, now owned by Bart and his Tower Investments, that value most likely has increased from its $1.5 million price tag. So does Glenn Straub and his former Revel casino benefit from the Taj Mahal purchase by hard rock? In the long-term probably yes. But we think in the short term, the value or the interest in getting the Revel up and running is muted at best. Think about it, what investor now wants to come in and try to deal with Mr. Strabo and get the former Revel up and running while knowing that arguably one of the most successful aggressive and smart brand names hard rock is getting to ready to launch just down the Boardwalk? What's our guess? We like to speculate just a little bit. We think that Mr. Straub will eventually find it more advantageous to sell. Still no gaming license for Straub, or his partner/tenant in the property Robert Landino. Both have NO Gaming Licenses. REVEL property will most likely see half-decent profit since Straub purchased it for just $82 million. The building price was closer to $2 billion. We believe now this is pure speculation, that investors that might gain access to that incredible property formerly known as the Revel and the surro...

Atlantic City - AC Primetime Radio News. Show Notes for JULY 15, 2016. Sponsored by Lacey Cleaning & Get Smart Digital. Blatstein held a party on Garden Pier. Many question that event. Dust-up at Council meeting over that. WAV club, Showboat, Party on pier. WavAC.com site is dead. Liens on AC property? No permits. Wants to buy it. Vague as to his plans Council approved selling Garden Pier to developer Bart Blatstein.... for $1.5 million. Attorney for Glenn Straub, describes deal as risky for the city. The Bader Field auction was postponed. The new deadline for bids is now Aug. 4. Straub says there were no bids. He didn’t put one in. Taj Mahal AC looking for replacement workers? Strikers have til Monday to accept offer from Tony Rodio. SEE AD > http://www.trumpemployment.com/ Atlantic City Gaming Revenue was down a bit for JUNE 2016, year over year. (yoy) Resorts is UP 10% yoy    Trump Taj was UP 13% yoy Will there be any shows at the Pinky Pavilion this summer ? A suggestion was made instead of 6 beach concerts use some of that money for things that have been eliminated like International Night, Broadway on the Boards,  etc. These things brought people to the boardwalk and are being missed New Bike ordinance -12 noon.  Needs to be enforced .  BIKE vending machines in front of Claridge. Concerns raised about the proposed Open Container Law. Where does it stand? Tick tock. Nov 3 deadline. City needs plan to have balanced budget for 2017 They can cut, downsize, shared services, outsource. Water company? Outsource Towing? Trash? They can also consider new MONEY MAKERS 4x4’s on beach Food trucks on beach More concerts on the beach Beach tags Councilman Marty Small wants to put wage tax on those who work here…but live elsewhere. Council wants $10 dollar room fee too? Council approved awarding a contract to a company to sell ads on the exterior of some city vehicles. GREAT IDEA New parking meters - When does installation begin ?  Will it be in papers and other sources so residents and visitors will know about the upgrade Marijuana Laws. See Denver. Strict. Highly controlled. Much needed tax dollars. Stigma? Yes. So was gaming, alcohol, cigarettes, adult shops, go-go and strip clubs… Good News. Clean & Safe….2 critical components of an AC turnaround….. Beaches streets dunes dramatically cleaner. Boardwalk lighting, security cameras almost completely installed Central monitor Impactivate screens, wifi, smart phone chargers Downbeach Jitney FAIL 45 day trial completed. Not renewed. Bad marketing. No appropriate advertising. RIDE SHORE SHUTTLE & Uber Our favorite FOODIE PLACES…… in AC, and Downbeach area Wings….Ducktown tavern….. Honorable mention to Piccalli in AC…..and Roberts in Margate Ribs….. Kelseys in AC & BACK BAY BBQ causeway between Somers point & Longport. Best breakfast - Gilchrist Best seafood dinner - Crab Trap Somers point, Best take-out…and best 5 dollar fish sandwich - BARBERA Seafood. Best subs: tie--  Saccos & White House Best Pizza – insane ingredients & toppings….Tony Baloney….Old school pizza…Carusos in Ventnor….Thin crust brick oven style…..I go with LISA’s in Ventnor. Best Burgers…..Wingcraft in AC. Best breads - tie - Rando & Formica Best cakes: Minos…Strawberry Shortcake Pleasantville & AC Best chocolate & fudge, candy…. Many…on Ocean City Boardwalk…… and we love SUGAR on the Boardwalk, in front of Caesars. Best coffee shop… # still love Starbucks in Margate…..but I love the fact that 7311 in Ventnor….has a bike rack….and small batch baked goods too. NEW PLACES to check out > OASIS in Margate. Next to Bocca. Coffees, ice cream, smoothies. Best sandwiches, Jewish delicacies. Downbeach Deli, Casels,…..and we are keeping our eyes on the new 'Poppies' in Ventnor. They took over Malelani. They blew up the basement cafeteria at Borgata….

Short Life for Dance Club The WAV nightclub is no more. The barely broken-in club on Atlantic City's Playground Pier has reportedly closed it's doors. The WAVac website is also offline. Opened with much fanfare in April 2016, WAV was supposed to be a magnet for 20-somethings. The slow-growing Playground Pier in front of Caesars Casino on the Boardwalk really needed that kind of traffic boost. The many bars, retailers and eateries inside the Playground would supposedly benefit from the hundreds that would shop, eat & drink before heading into the WAV for a night of dancing. LISTEN> ACprimetime Radio 7.6.2016 Playground Pier is the brainchild of Bart Blatstein and Tower Investments. Blatstein purchased the struggling 'Pier Shops' at Caesars for $2.7 mil in November of 2014. The deal was not a friendly one, which may explain why Caesars does nothing to encourage their guests to walk across the Boardwalk to enjoy Playground offerings. This bad Playground news dampens the excitement of Blatstein's new Showboat Hotel, opening on July 8. Observers noted: if Playground would clone Tropicana's 'The Quarter', they could have winner on that side of Atlantic City Boardwalk. ALSO CONFIRMED: the GUESS retail store has exited their Playground location. ( is Starbucks next?) Blatstein and Tower Investments is well known for the Piazza at Schmidt's project in Philadelphia's Northern Liberties section. After an exciting debut, The Piazza faltered and Bart sold out. According to Philly.com, Caesars and Blatstein had quite the legal tussle with this prime piece of Boardwalk Real Estate. Our 2 Cents: Dance clubs might be maxed out in Atlantic City. Plenty of competition in this space. Also, it's well known that poorly named 'Playground' was poorly marketed too. PR / advertising campaigns never connected with fun-seekers, and at times seemed non-existent. Still, that pier in front of Caesars is spectacular... it just needs proper management / creative leadership. Is Blatstein over-leveraged? That's what some are asking. With Bart on a buying spree in AC, does the Philly developer have the cash to properly manage his acquisitions? Will Blatstein have the time and resources to properly develop the volleyball court and Garden Pier parcels if those deals close? We look forward to Glenn Straub's next move with this situation. What do YOU think? Leave a comment below.    

On episode 17 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss: Casino workers union threatens to strike beginning July 1st; Revel can’t open yet, Glenn Straub... Read more »

On episode 17 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss: Casino workers union threatens to strike beginning July 1st; Revel can’t open yet, Glenn Straub... Read more »

Listen to AC Primetime Radio for the week of June 20, 2016. We talk Blatstein, Garden Pier, Borgata, Uber, Glenn Straub and more. Pretty sure we'll tick somebody off with this one. Speaking truth to power, we are ACprimetime Radio. Enjoy....as we track the re-invention of Atlantic City.

Frank Gilliam Jr. & Son....and Mel Taylor Listen to Atlantic City Councilman at Large, Frank Gilliam Jr. These AC Primetime Radio topics covered are wide and varied: Bart Blatstein & The Playground Pier. Tough to start a business in AC What did former Mayor Langford really make? Frank Gilliam III - Take your Kid to Work Day Frank's background, schooling & wife & family life Keeping his cool as a Councilman Dealing with Glenn Straub & REVEL property Bader Field auction, salaries & paycuts Concerts on the Atlantic City beach Atlantic City Councilman-at-Large Frank Gilliam Jr. visits ACprimetime Radio > Atlantic City Municipal Salary ALERT:  As Atlantic City considers pay cuts for those inside City Hall, a murky salary report for the former & acting Mayors was called out by Gilliam. According to NJ.com, AC Mayor Guardian's office said the mayor's salary was reduced from the $143,000 that his predecessor, the former AC Mayor; Lorenzo Langford made. Not so, says Gilliam. "After being sworn in as Atlantic City's new leader on January 1, 2014, Mayor Guardian recognized the difficult financial situation Atlantic City was in so he took a $40,000 salary reduction," spokesman Chris Filiciello said. Councilman-at-Large Gilliam disputes Filiciello's claims made to the Associated Press. Gilliam says former AC Mayor Langford never made $143,000. He only made $106,000. See Associated Press Story at NJ.com here.

  Easter in Atlantic City is always more fun when it includes Steel Pier. Click to listen as Anthony Catanoso calls into AC Primetime Radio to talk Easter eggs and pancakes, amusement rides, Tony Rodio, Zip-lines, The Observation Wheel, Glenn Straub & Revel, Bart Blatstein & Showboat...and more... Click to listen >

Atlantic City Councilman; Jesse Kurtz handles the 6th ward. He called AC Primetime Radio to discuss Bader Field, the MUA, Glenn Straub & Revel, CRDA land banking.....and more..... Listen >

Straub at City Council, March 16, 2016 WATCH VIDEO > On Tues, March 15, Atlantic City officials toured the Revel property. “Amazingly intact and in great condition” is what they reported after the 90 minute tour. Much of what they saw was in direct conflict with daily inaccuracies being reported by local news radio. For the past 15 months, media pundits regularly questioned Glenn Straub's sanity, as well as his interest/ability to re-open Revel in Atlantic City. One particular news director virtually swore Straub & Revel were doomed. One by one, those rumors, accusations and innuendo are proving to be wrong. Really wrong. When no one else could or would, Florida real estate developer Glenn Straub stroked a $82 mil check. He took ownership of Revel. Jealousy ensued, as cold, hard cash snagged this premium, 20 acre plot along the Atlantic City Boardwalk. https://youtu.be/08mACPfvXE0 Instead of being seen as an economy-boosting hero, Straub endured 15 months of red tape, fines, electricity shut-downs and eminent domain threats. Glenn Straub has often been the target of taunts from manipulated Radio newscasters, reporters and politicians. Some are not shy about wanting Straub to sell Revel and cash-out with a big payday...even if Revel and it's jobs supply would sit dormant even longer. Officials from Atlantic City toured Revel property on March 15, 2016. Dale Finch; Director of Licence & Inspections Elizabeth Terenik; Director of Planning & Development Scott Evans; Fire Chief Wally Shields; Construction Official After some face time with Straub, the city's team was escorted through the building by Revel's facility manager. It was a comprehensive inspection that took about 90 minutes. Finch & Terenik deserve credit for that smart reach-out to Straub, effectively 'scooping' the local news outlets. The Real Facts About Revel: Revel is 99% ready for business. 500 guest rooms are ready. (out of 1500) There is now a 'Ropes' course in the lobby. Clubs are ready. HQ is not part of re-opening plan. Swimming Pool prepped and good to go. Jobs. Lot's of them. At least a few hundred. Job fair is planned. Public safety, inspections & planning execs say Revel is “amazingly intact” & in “great condition”. Gaming machines, tables & chairs in place, like-new condition. Hotel rooms are clean with perfect beds, furniture, light fixtures, drapes, artwork. Restaurants, hotel rooms and gaming floors look ready to go. Everything in place. BS exposed. Haters denied. Rumors proven false. Tractor trailers taking valuables OUT of Revel? Nope. They were actually bringing stuff IN to Revel. Kitchen appliances and related items were being delivered from satellite storage areas. Rumors about mold due to lack of AC & Heating? Total nonsense. Today, Straub is now on the verge of finally opening the former Revel as a 500 room resort and casino. More rooms will come online soon. June 15 is target opening date. His application is currently under review by New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.  Will somebody try one last time to thwart Glenn's approval for a NJ casino license? Probably. Would some short-sighted nitwits try to effectively kill the much needed positive press and 500 jobs this re-opening no doubt would produce? Probably. But they will ultimately fail. A new Revel could eventually put 2000 - 3000 people to work, according to Straub as he addressed City Council on Wed. night, March 17. Some have tried to position Straub as slightly eccentric. He's in good company. Steve Jobs, Steve Wynn, Henry Ford, Donald Trump, Mark Zuckerberg, Carl Icahn and Albert Einstein all had and still have the same problem. The Atlantic City economy needs the former Revel property to be up and running asap. Atlantic County would benefit too.  

Small & Straub On Wed. night, March 16, Council may decide to take-over the city’s water authority. They could also vote on selling the former Bader Airport Field for at least $155 million. Atlantic City Council President; Marty Small, called into ACprimetime News Radio this morning. Mr. Small is the esteemed, Atlantic City Council President. The councilman shares his thoughts on Bader Field, and the MUA water company issue. The Jingoli development firm and Glenn Straub are mentioned as well. Converting the Water Authority (MUA) into the Atlantic City Water Department and auctioning Bader Field would be subject to state approval. Listen now.