Look What They Builded

OK, this isn't in Belltown and it's not open yet, but it's worth a mention. I knew that they've been working on it for quite some time, but this is the first time I've seen the sign lit up. I initially heard that this was going into the former Rite-Aid space at 4th & Pike, but my sources were incorrect. Its real place in the world is on Pike, between 1st & 2nd. Its space was formerly occupied by a crooked pawn shop (that got caught fencing stolen goods) and a porn store. I guess having a Hard Rock there is an improvement. Heck, if Phoenix and Ho Chi Minh City can have one, so can we.

I never really got the mystique of the place. I mean, I'm not sure whether having lunch there will infuse you with oodles of street cred. But they continue to expand and people seem to think it's a great place. These days, the corporatization of rock 'n' roll is complete. Bands that call for the downfall of society get sponsored by Pepsi. Eric Clapton hawks phones and just about anybody who can halfway play an instrument and has an armload of tattoos can get a series on MTV. The whole "rock 'n' roll lifestyle" has been done to death. It was a tired and worn-out concept when Cake sang about it in 1995. But nevertheless, I see why they're putting the Hard Rock there. It's for tourists who are intimidated by the hive-like Pike Place Market and want to have lunch at someplace familiar and reputable. Falafel King is just a hole-in-the-wall joint. Why go there when Hard Rock is a worldwide operation? The noodle place's menu is in Chinese. At least the Hard Rock's is in English. Why go to the Bolivian restaurant? Don't those people eat guinea pigs? No one will try to serve you one of those at the Hard Rock. Plus, they've got guitars on the wall!

Well, I wish them the best in any case. I'm quite curious to see how this will play out. If they fail, I'll bet you 50 bucks that it will revert to a porn store within three months.