Atlantic City Considering Horror-Themed Wax Museum and Restaurant - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 03-07-2011, 04:26 PM

Two Atlantic City casino properties considering horror-themed wax museum and restaurant
Saturday, March 5, 2011

ATLANTIC CITY - The word "museum" often conveys a stuffy or boring image. But add another word - wax - to it and suddenly the excitement level skyrockets.

From the opening of the first Madame Tussauds waxworks in London in 1835, wax museums have sprung up all over the world.

A development group hopes to capitalize on the public's fascination with the lifelike qualities of wax figures by combining a wax museum with another public obsession - eating.

The waxworks-themed restaurant concept is being pitched to casinos in Atlantic City as the developers narrow their search for a location.

"In Atlantic City, the restaurant revenues are climbing, so it might be a perfect time to build this project," said Joe Camarota, an engineer and former casino construction official who is part of the development group.

Camarota said the developers are talking to an existing casino and a proposed casino about their project. He declined to name them but said there is a possibility his group may open wax-themed restaurants at both casinos. The restaurants would cost about $5 million each to develop.

"One (restaurant) will depend on how the first- and second-quarter revenue is for the existing casino, and the other will be a decision on whether they build the casino or not. So we're probably a year away on that," Camarota said.

Since 1995, Camarota has been working on the idea of melding the horror genre with a restaurant to create something called the "Hollywood Horror Cafe."

He later teamed up with West Coast wax sculptor and special effects expert Henry Alvarez and movie fine arts collector Delbert Winans to pursue a similar concept.

They were brought together by Sara Karloff, daughter of Hollywood horror legend Boris Karloff. Another famous horror movie name, Lugosi, also is part of the project.

Bela Lugosi Jr., a California attorney and son of one of the best-known horror actors in the genre's history, has provided legal assistance for the development group.

Sara Karloff and Bela Lugosi Jr. also have agreed to help the group through their entertainment industry contacts and with licensing deals for horror memorabilia from the Karloff and Lugosi estates, Camarota said.

Alvarez is convinced that a waxworks-themed restaurant will be a popular tourist draw in Atlantic City. He believes this is the type of multimedia attraction that will help pull the city out of its four-year economic slump.

"For me, it's a big tourist area," Alvarez said. "They're trying to regenerate interest there. People are always interested in going to a wax museum to see celebrities."

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...cc4c002e0.html

03-07-2011, 04:26 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,168	Atlantic City Considering Horror-Themed Wax Museum and Restaurant Two Atlantic City casino properties considering horror-themed wax museum and restaurant Saturday, March 5, 2011 ATLANTIC CITY - The word "museum" often conveys a stuffy or boring image. But add another word - wax - to it and suddenly the excitement level skyrockets. From the opening of the first Madame Tussauds waxworks in London in 1835, wax museums have sprung up all over the world. A development group hopes to capitalize on the public's fascination with the lifelike qualities of wax figures by combining a wax museum with another public obsession - eating. The waxworks-themed restaurant concept is being pitched to casinos in Atlantic City as the developers narrow their search for a location. "In Atlantic City, the restaurant revenues are climbing, so it might be a perfect time to build this project," said Joe Camarota, an engineer and former casino construction official who is part of the development group. Camarota said the developers are talking to an existing casino and a proposed casino about their project. He declined to name them but said there is a possibility his group may open wax-themed restaurants at both casinos. The restaurants would cost about $5 million each to develop. "One (restaurant) will depend on how the first- and second-quarter revenue is for the existing casino, and the other will be a decision on whether they build the casino or not. So we're probably a year away on that," Camarota said. Since 1995, Camarota has been working on the idea of melding the horror genre with a restaurant to create something called the "Hollywood Horror Cafe." He later teamed up with West Coast wax sculptor and special effects expert Henry Alvarez and movie fine arts collector Delbert Winans to pursue a similar concept. They were brought together by Sara Karloff, daughter of Hollywood horror legend Boris Karloff. Another famous horror movie name, Lugosi, also is part of the project. Bela Lugosi Jr., a California attorney and son of one of the best-known horror actors in the genre's history, has provided legal assistance for the development group. Sara Karloff and Bela Lugosi Jr. also have agreed to help the group through their entertainment industry contacts and with licensing deals for horror memorabilia from the Karloff and Lugosi estates, Camarota said. Alvarez is convinced that a waxworks-themed restaurant will be a popular tourist draw in Atlantic City. He believes this is the type of multimedia attraction that will help pull the city out of its four-year economic slump. "For me, it's a big tourist area," Alvarez said. "They're trying to regenerate interest there. People are always interested in going to a wax museum to see celebrities." http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/n...cc4c002e0.html Attached Images