The newest Margaritaville venture is on track to open in three weeks. The Landshark Bar & Grill and the adjoining Skywheel are nearing completion and will serve as the anchor to the new Oceanfront Boardwalk development in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Crews were busy last week building the other part of the attraction, Jimmy Buffett’s LandShark Bar & Grill. They have about three weeks to finish so the restaurant and ride can meet the scheduled May 19 opening.

“We are on track,” Trout said.

The work hasn’t been without its challenges. The wheel and restaurant are being built on about a half acre, which doesn’t leave much room for cranes and other heavy equipment, Trout said. They’ve had to schedule lighter work late at night so that could be done and another set of workers arrive first thing the next day.

Inspired by the great “beach joints” that once dotted the Atlantic coast, LandShark Bar & Grill will be the perfect blend of ocean breezes, boardwalk action, spectacular views, great food, generous drinks, your favorite beach tunes and good old fashion fun. The LandShark Surfshack will offer an array of merchandise themed around the popular beer brand, LandShark Lager, as well as a selection of Sky Wheel souvenirs. LandShark’s laid back atmosphere, casual dining, bar and entertainment will soon be a favorite with both tourists and the Grand Strand’s local residents.

“We love Myrtle Beach and are thrilled to bring our new concept LandShark Bar and Grill to this exciting project,” said Tamara Baldanza, Director of Marketing for Margaritaville Hospitality Group. “The beach location will be the perfect spot to take a ride on the new SkyWheel, grab a bite to eat, listen to some music and hang out for a while.”

The developers of the Margaritaville Cafe at Navy Pier in Chicago hope to open the new restaurant by Memorial Day weekend, Navy Pier said in an email:

The owners of Margaritaville hope to be open by Memorial Day weekend. Construction on this new Navy Pier restaurant is currently underway. The restaurant management is working to complete construction, and have the restaurant stocked and staffed for that weekend. At this time, they do not anticipate any delays, but in any new construction, unforeseen circumstances may delay the opening.

When first announced last fall, Buffett said “I couldn’t be more excited about Margaritaville arriving on the shores of Lake Michigan. From my earliest days in the city, playing the Quiet Knight on Belmont, to the pinnacle of live performances to me, singing in front of the ivy wall at Wrigley Field, I have had a long and wonderful history and affection for the people, the music, the art and the food of the Windy City. I have always thought Chicago as a beach town, a pretty big one, but still a beach town. I am happy to call Navy Pier home to Margaritaville. Fins Up Chicago.”

(hat tip truckie823)

It was the final hurdle for the Margaritaville Casino & Restaurant in Biloxi, and on Thursday the Gaming Commission unanimously approved the plans for the $51 million project.

Jimmy Buffett was in Biloxi and attended the meeting:

“I obviously am very pleased to be back here and be part of this,” Buffett told the Gaming Commission and a room full of people, including several local casino general managers.

Buffett said he asked to ride down U.S. 90 along the beach on his way to the meeting to see how the area has recovered from Hurricane Katrina and the Gulf oil spill.

“No’s not a good answer for me,” he said, He developed a new partnership with local casino veteran Tom Brosig and other developers.

“Now we’re on the Back Bay,” he said, “and I like it.”

In the first phase of the casino off Fifth Street in East Biloxi will be a small casino, a Margaritaville restaurant and lounge, a store, an events center and a full-service marina, said John Cohlan, chief executive officer of Margaritaville Holdings. He said the cost is $50 million and the resort will create 650 permanent jobs.

Phase II will add 20,000 square feet to the casino, create a Gulf Coast museum, highlighting local musicians and history, and enhance the marina at an estimated cost of $35 million.

Gaming Commissioner John Hairston said the small size of the casino proposed in Phase I won’t create any additional benefit to the local market, but the Margaritaville brand will bring more visitors and jobs to Biloxi.

“I have a great deal of professional and personal interest in growing the economy of the Coast,” he said.
“We’re ready to start shoveling,” Buffett said,

A couple weeks ago Jimmy Buffett filed papers to trademark the term “Tiger Blood” for use in vodka and energy drinks, but now Charlie Sheen is fighting back on the phrase that he coined:

Charlie Sheen is challenging veteran entertainer Jimmy Buffett’s attempts to create a drink called Tiger Blood – the actor has filed his own trademark application to take ownership of the phrase he coined last month

Bosses at Buffett’s company, Margaritaville Enterprises Llc, decided to try and cash in on Sheen’s rants and antics by proposing formal plans for a Tiger Blood tipple for use in vodka.

But Sheen is trying to prevent others from benefiting from his publicity and his representatives at associated firm Hyro-gliff have now filed their own trademark documents to gain the right to the name, after learning of Buffett’s idea in March.

“Tiger blood” is among 22 of Sheen’s most famous quotes and catchphrases the actor is seeking to protect, including, “Duh, winning” and “rock star from Mars”. The actor wants to use the quotes for potential projects including clothing, food, drinks and video games.

According to TMZ, Jimmy Buffett has filed papers to trademark the term “Tiger Blood” for vodka and energy drinks:

“According to documents filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and obtained by TMZ  — Margaritaville Enterprises LLC, owned by the singer, filed two applications on March 15 to trademark “Tiger Blood” for use in vodka and energy drinks.

As TMZ previously reported — Tiger Blood is Charlie Sheen’s codename for his mangosteen-infused fruit smoothie,  Xango juice. 

Interesting … if Jimmy’s application goes through, Charlie won’t be able to capitalize on what he made famous — but then again, there’s more to life than vodka and energy drinks.”

Last month Charlie Sheen quoted from “A Pirate Looks at Forty” in an interview, saying “love me some Jimmy Buffett.”