Nathan Mergen

Capitol ChopHouse, part of the Marcus® Restaurant Group, announced today that it has named Nathan Mergen as general manager. In his new role, Mergen will oversee all aspects of the restaurant located within the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace.

Mergen brings more than 15 years of experience working in top restaurants, kitchens and cellars throughout the world. Mergen served as opening general manager of New York City icon, Eataly. He also served as food and beverage manager at the Strand Hotel and was corporate director of service at Les Halles. Prior to his arrival at the Capitol ChopHouse, Mergen worked as a private chef in the Bahamas and served as director of catering and convention services for The Edgewater Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin, where he was responsible for planning and executing large group events and overall operations.

“We are thrilled to have Nathan join our team. He brings a wealth of experience from some very prestigious restaurants, including both back and front of house expertise,” said Skip Harless, general manager of the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace. “The Capitol ChopHouse is committed to bringing a world-class dining experience to Madison guests, and I know that Nathan will be a great asset in providing that level of quality and service to our customers.”

For more information about the Capitol ChopHouse visit www.capitolchophouse.com.

About Marcus Restaurant Group
Milwaukee-based Marcus Restaurant Group, an operating unit of Marcus Hotels & Resorts, develops and operates distinctive nationwide establishments ranging from casual and fine dining to trendy lounges and creative concepts. From cuisine and cocktails to ambiance and vibe, each Marcus Restaurant Group experience is carefully designed to fuse with the local scene, offering the finest quality farm-to-table products, wine and craft beverages and inspired dishes that cater to every taste. Award-winning concepts include Miller Time Pub & Grill, ChopHouse, Mason Street Grill and The SafeHouse. Frequent diners are encouraged to partake in the Marcus Rewards loyalty program at participating restaurants, bars and lounges at http://www.marcusrewards.com. For more information on Marcus Restaurant Group please visit http://www.marcusrestaurants.com or visit Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and updates.

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Who needs barbeques when you can take a vacation or stay-cation in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin for less than $100? Marcus Hotels & Resorts’ premier properties in Milwaukee – The Pfister Hotel, InterContinental Milwaukee and Hilton Milwaukee City Center – are offering a night’s stay and parking for under $100 on Memorial Day, as well as other incredible deals Memorial Day weekend.

The Memorial Day promotions, which include parking at each respective property, include:

The Pfister Hotel – Call 414-273-8222 to make a reservation.

o $99.00 on Memorial Day;
o $229.00 per night Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28

InterContinental Milwaukee – Call 414-276-8666 to make a reservation.

o $89.00 on Memorial Day;
o $175.00 per night Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28

Hilton Milwaukee City Center – Call 414-271-7250 to make a reservation.

o $89.00 on Memorial Day;
o $159.00 per night Friday, May 26 to Sunday, May 28

Parking is included in cost. Rates do not include taxes and gratuity. Promotion is subject to availability. More information about each package is available at www.mkepackages.com/memorialday.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

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Milwaukee, Wis., May 16, 2017. . . .The Pfister Hotel, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced the appointment of Travis Martinez as executive pastry chef. In his new role, he will be responsible for overseeing the production of all confections and chocolates within the historic downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin hotel.

Martinez joins The Pfister’s premier culinary team with more than 10 years of pastry and baking experience. He has worked as a pastry chef or baker at top luxury properties and casinos throughout the United States, including Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Potawatomi Resort & Casino in Milwaukee, and Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California. Prior to coming to The Pfister Hotel, Martinez served as a pastry chef and chocolatier for JinJu Chocolates in Las Vegas, an award-winning artisan shop known for its gourmet, hand-crafted chocolates. In 2015, Martinez was also a finalist for the Food Network’s season 1 of “Cake Wars: Christmas,” where he competed with other pastry chefs and food artists from around the country to create decadent Christmas themed dessert displays.

Martinez received a professional certificate in baking and pastry from the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

About The Pfister Hotel
The Pfister Hotel has been the premier hotel in downtown Milwaukee for over 120 years. Originally built in 1893 by businessman Guido Pfister, it was the most lavish hotel of its time. The hotel’s storied elegance had faded following World War II, until 1962, when Ben Marcus, founder of The Marcus Corporation, purchased this grand hotel out of bankruptcy. The Marcus family renovated and restored the hotel to its original glory, adding convention facilities, a parking garage and 23-story guest tower. The Pfister Hotel remains home to the largest collection of Victorian art of any hotel in the world, and offers an interactive augmented reality tour of pieces in this impressive collection.

Today, The Pfister Hotel continues its tradition of gracious service and impeccable style, and has been recognized for 41 consecutive years by AAA as a Four-Diamond property. In 2017, The Pfister Hotel was ranked the No. 1 Best Milwaukee Hotel by U.S. News & World Report. This exceptional property is a member of two prestigious hotel organizations, Historic Hotels of America and Preferred Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. The Pfister Hotel is located at 424 E. Wisconsin Ave. in downtown Milwaukee. For more information, please visit www.thepfisterhotel.com and follow the hotel on Facebook and Twitter (@PfisterHotel).

The Marriott AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, owned and managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced Sara Davis-Zapata has been appointed general manager. In her new role, Davis-Zapata will be responsible for all hotel operations at the 226-room property located steps from Chicago’s Magnificent Mile.

Sara Davis-Zapata

Prior to joining the Marriott AC Hotel Chicago Downtown, Davis-Zapata served as general manager of the Raffaello Hotel in Chicago, Ill., where she oversaw all hotel and beverage operations for the 173-room boutique property. Her previous positions at the Raffaello Hotel included serving as controller and human resources account manager, as well as working for the hotel’s management company, Crescent Heights, as a special projects coordinator.

Davis-Zapata began her hospitality career at the Allerton Hotel in Chicago and Chicago’s Hard Rock Hotel. She received a bachelor’s degree in social science from Roosevelt University in Chicago, Ill. She and her family reside in Wauconda, Ill.

“Sara’s strong Chicago connections and deep experience managing hotels in this popular travel market will be a great asset to the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown. Her leadership will help further advance our position as a top lifestyle hotel in Chicago,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and chief operating officer of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

Located in the heart of Chicago’s upscale shopping, dining and entertainment district, the AC Hotel Chicago Downtown offers guests European elegance and high-quality services. The stylish hotel located at 630 N. Rush Street, boasts urban, simplistic and clean designs with European aesthetics, the latest technology and communal functional spaces and innovative food and beverage programming it its AC Lounge and AC Kitchen. AC Hotel Chicago Downtown opened in June 2015 and was one of the first five AC Hotels by Marriott branded properties to open in the U.S.

AC Hotel Chicago Downtown offers nearly 3,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, European style breakfast, delicious small plate dining in the evening, craft cocktails at the hotel’s signature AC Lounge, communal spaces and complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the property.

About AC Hotels by Marriott
AC Hotels by Marriott®, a lifestyle brand that celebrates a new modern aesthetic complemented by a European soul and Spanish roots boasts more than 90 design-led hotels in Spain, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Turkey, France and the United States. Design-driven AC Hotels edit away the unnecessary to remove friction, providing thoughtfully designed moments of beauty, allowing guests to focus on what’s important to them. Property highlights include design-savvy guest rooms with sleek furnishings and intuitive technology features. See achotels.marriott.com for more information.

OMAHA, Neb., May 2, 2017. . . . .The soon to open premier full-service Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District, managed by Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, today announced that it is looking to hire 150 full-time and part-time positions within the next three months. Slated to open July 2017, the Omaha Marriott Downtown will be the first new full-service hotel to open in Omaha, Neb. in more than 10 years. The 333-room hotel is also projected to accommodate more than 500,000 guests each year. Within the first year of operation, guests are projected to spend more than $15 million in the local economy.

“With the addition of more than 1,550 jobs during the construction phase of the project, as well as the 150 new jobs needed for future operations, the Omaha Marriott Downtown will have a significant economic impact on Omaha and the downtown area. As we near the official opening of the hotel, we are greatly looking forward to contributing to the vibrancy and success of our city,” said Steve Hilton, general manager of the Omaha Marriott Downtown.

Located adjacent to the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center and TD Ameritrade Park, the 12-story Omaha Marriott Downtown is serving as a major anchor for the $205 million Capitol District being developed by Shamrock Development, Inc. The hotel is also planned to be part of Marriott’s new design concept called “Redesigned Marriott.” As one of only 55 “Redesigned Marriott” hotels in the world, the Omaha Marriott Downtown will feature floor to ceiling windows in all its guest rooms and 13 suites with custom furnishings and dynamic cityscape views.

When combined with the hotel’s 17,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, outdoor event areas, roof-top swimming pool, full-service restaurant and bar, and additional luxury amenities, the Omaha Marriott Downtown’s modern chic rooms and exceptional service will make the hotel a premier location for business meetings, weddings, weekend getaways and much more.

Looking to Hire People with a “Spirit to Serve”
“After recently naming approximately 20 key positions for the hotel, including an exceptional new executive chef, Brent Hockenberry, and top sales and management positions, the Omaha Marriott Downtown team is looking forward to welcoming new staff members,” Hilton added. “We strive for service excellence in everything we do, so over the next few months, we will be looking for the top people in our community to serve our valued local, national and even international guests. We are currently hiring individuals in 15-20 management roles, with more positions opening later this spring and early summer.”

Job Fair May 22 at Omaha Design Center
The Omaha Marriott Downtown will be holding a job fair May 22, 2017 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming Street, Omaha, Neb. for those interested in joining the hotel team. New employees are needed for culinary, server, front office and guest service, housekeeping, and other operational positions. Prospective employees can search for and apply to job openings at DowntownOmahaMarriott.com/apply, or by calling (402) 807-8000. New positions are added daily.

The Omaha Marriott Downtown is now accepting reservations for group blocks, meetings, weddings, and individual reservations. If you would like to make an individual reservation, please call (844) 696-3779 or make a reservation online. For those interested in booking a meeting or wedding, please contact Megan Gilligan, director of sales and marketing, via phone at (531) 205-7354, or email her at megangilligan@marcushotels.com.

For more information about the hotel, visit http://www.downtownomahamarriott.com/.

More information on the Capitol District Development is available at http://www.capitoldistrictomaha.com. Views of the project site can also be seen live at: http://www.workzonecam.com/projects/shamrock/capitaldistrict/workzonecam.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About the Capitol District
The Capitol District is Omaha’s only downtown entertainment district. The District surrounds a technology-smart, modern town square and will feature a 218-unit high rise apartment tower, a full-service Marriott hotel, Class A office space, plenty of adjacent parking and over 20 diverse restaurants and bars – all within walking distance of Omaha’s best civic, cultural and entertainment venues and the Riverfront. The Capitol District will connect, invigorate and entertain Omaha. The District will welcome people year-round at all times of day by hosting collaborative events, live music and everyday fun. For more information, visit www.capitoldistrictomaha.com

Milwaukee, Wis., April 20, 2017. . . . Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company, is celebrating mothers with digital eGift Cards redeemable towards accommodations at the company’s participating hotels and resorts, dining at signature restaurants, golf and waterpark adventures and pampering at award-winning spas.

Whether it’s pampering her with a pedicure at her favorite spa or gifting her a relaxing weekend getaway – showing your love for the special woman in your life just became a little easier. Customers can go to MarcusGiftCards.com, select a Mother’s Day gift card theme and amount, and send a personal eGift Card all within minutes. As an added bonus, shoppers who spend $100 in gift card purchases will receive a $20 certificate to enjoy at one of Marcus Hotels’ relaxing WELL Spas.

For more information on the latest news and updates from Marcus Hotels & Resorts, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 17 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company, today announced that its Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service (WHLS) business unit named David Sobcinski general manager and Scott Smith director of sales. WHLS is a leading provider of commercial laundry services for hotels, restaurants and spas in the Midwest.

David Sobcinski
With more than 30 years of management experience within the laundry service industry, Sobcinski will serve as general manager of WHLS. In his new role, Sobcinski will oversee and manage daily operations for the company, including managing staff, inventory and quality control, as well as maintenance and general business responsibilities. He has held general manager positions at several major laundry service companies over the past seven years, including various Crothall Laundry Services locations throughout the United States, as well as Kleen Laundry & Dry Cleaning and Allina Health System – Metropolitan Linen Services. Sobcinski replaces Keith Scheffler, who is retiring after more than 35 years with The Marcus Corporation.

Scott Smith
In WHLS’s newly created position of director of sales, Smith will be responsible for new business development, and sales and marketing initiatives for the company. Prior to joining WHLS, Smith served as business development manager for CleanPower, Inc. With more than 30 years of business development experience, he has also served in sales management positions at U.S. Foods, where he was named Territorial Manager of the Year in 2013, and Sysco Food Service of Eastern Wisconsin. Smith received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin in Wausau.

About Wisconsin Hospitality Linen Service
WHLS has been the area leader in commercial laundry services for the hospitality industry for over 20 years. The business was founded by Marcus Hotels & Resorts in 1995 and has operated at its current 32,000 square foot facility near the Milwaukee airport since 2001.

In December 2016, WHLS completed a $2.3 million expansion that will enable it to double its current capacity over the next five years. The company currently processes approximately 10 million pounds of linen each year, including sheets, towels and restaurant linens, for 18 properties across the Midwest.

Milwaukee, Wis., April 5, 2017. . . . .Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, a nationally recognized hotel owner and management company and division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), was presented the Service Excellence Award by Governor Scott Walker at the Wisconsin Governor’s Conference on Tourism, which took place March 12-14, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Sponsored by the Governor’s Council on Tourism, the Governor’s Tourism Awards recognize individuals, organizations and businesses for their excellence, dedication and impact on Wisconsin’s travel and hospitality industry.

The Service Excellence Award honors a Wisconsin business that has achieved significant success and growth by providing exceptional service to its customers and a strong, charitable involvement in its community. Marcus Hotels & Resorts received the award for its ongoing commitment to supporting Wisconsin charities and tourism-driven amenities. Last year, associates of The Marcus Corporation and Marcus Hotels & Resorts volunteered more than 28,000 hours in their local communities, living out the company’s philosophy of “serve people, create memories and deliver exceptional experiences.”

In 2016, Marcus Hotels & Resorts donated to charities and tourism-driven causes such as Boys & Girls Clubs, American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation, Ronald McDonald House, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Autism Society, ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, the United Performing Arts Fund (UPAF), as well as donations to local schools and community events. The Marcus Corporation has donated $2.7 million to United Way over the past five years and has provided nearly $1 million of in-kind contributions, including donation of hotel and restaurant gift certificates and room nights to worthy causes each year.

“It is an honor to receive the Governor’s Tourism Award. Our hotels and restaurants nationwide have facilitated many creative partnerships with hundreds of charities to support special causes, assist others in times of extraordinary needs and practice servant leadership in their communities. I am proud of our associates for their unwavering commitment to helping others. Together we are making communities a great place to live, work and play,” said Joseph Khairallah, president and COO of Marcus Hotels & Resorts.

Marcus Hotels & Resorts has developed several charitable programs in Wisconsin that have touched thousands of residents and tourists, helping to build a strong and attractive place to visit and live:

• The Pink Room Project at the InterContinental Milwaukee has donated nearly $86,000 to ABCD: After Breast Cancer Diagnosis since its inception in 2010. More than 3,440 guests from 42 states and 12 different countries have stayed in the rooms. The project has won numerous awards, including a national “Stars of the Industry” award from the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The program continues to earn recognition in prominent hotel media outlets including Hotel Business, Midwest Meetings, HOTELS, Lodging Magazine and others.

• The Hilton Madison’s Carbone Room Project has raised over $14,000 for the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center to support cancer research.

• Since 2013, the BluTender program at The Pfister Hotel has raised more than $175,000 for local Wisconsin charities and non-profit organizations.

• Marcus Hotels & Resorts and Hilton Milwaukee associates have collected $3,000 so far to fund the Albert E. Kagel School, one of the schools in the Milwaukee Public Schools system, to help with its needs and initiatives.

For more information on the company’s community impact, please view its Community Impact Report. For more information on the Governor’s Tourism Awards, please visit: https://walker.wi.gov/press-releases/governor-walker-honors-five-excellence-tourism-industry/

Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, featuring premier brands such as Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a second location that opened in early 2017 in Chicago, Ill. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About The Marcus Corporation
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with significant company-owned real estate assets. In addition to its Marcus Hotels division, its theatre division, Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. and currently owns or operates 885 screens at 68 locations in eight states. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.marcuscorp.com.

The soon to open premier full-service Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District today announced that it has named Brent Hockenberry as executive chef. In his new role, Hockenberry will oversee and manage all food and beverage operations within the 333-room hotel, including catering, banquet and in-room services. The Omaha Marriott Downtown, which will be managed by nationally recognized hotel owner and management company, Marcus® Hotels & Resorts, is scheduled to open in summer 2017.

Hockenberry joins the growing Omaha Marriott Downtown team with more than 12 years of culinary and management experience in top resort properties, business hotels and fine dining restaurants across the world.

“I cook with the mentality that food is healing and that by incorporating sustainably grown and locally produced food, I can create a restorative and powerful experience for the consumer,” Hockenberry said. “I aim to bring this mindset into how we approach food and beverage throughout the Omaha Marriott Downtown.”

Prior to joining Marcus Hotels & Resorts, Hockenberry served as executive sous chef at the Grand Hyatt D.C., where he oversaw offsite catering, banquets, personnel, and food safety standards, among other things. Hockenberry also worked on the opening taskforces for two Caribbean resorts: the Hyatt Ziva in Montego Bay, Jamaica and the Andaz Papagayo in Costa Rica. From 2009 to 2014, Hockenberry served in multiple banquet and restaurant positions at the Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa Clearwater Beach in Florida, where he helped the hotel’s restaurant win two best new restaurant awards, as well as worked as a banquet chef at the Grand Hyatt Seattle.

“We are thrilled to have Brent join our team and help us create an exceptional food and beverage program at the property,” said Steve Hilton, general manager of the Omaha Marriott Downtown. “With his passion for creating experiential cuisine that emphasizes quality and locality, Brent will add a meaningful component to our focus on excellence and high-quality service.

Hockenberry earned an associate’s degree in applied sciences from the Orlando Culinary Academy.

New Director of Events Named

In related news, the Omaha Marriott Downtown also named Vanessa Vasa as director of events of the property. In her new role, Vasa will oversee the hotel’s catering program and will manage a team of event specialists in charge of programming and community events. Prior to joining the Omaha Marriott Downtown, Vasa was director of catering and community outreach for the Flagship Restaurant Group in Omaha. She brings nearly 18 years of catering, food and beverage and management experience. She earned a bachelor of science in marketing management from Bellevue University.

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
In addition to managing the Omaha Marriott Downtown, Marcus Hotels & Resorts is also a minority investor in the 12-story high-rise hotel, which will serve as an anchor for the $205 million Capitol District being developed by Shamrock Development, Inc.

The hotel will offer 20,000 square-feet of flexible meeting space with an additional 16,000 square feet of pre-function space, outdoor event space, hospitality suites, roof-top swimming pool with bar/entertainment area, full-service restaurant and bar, Starbucks® café in the lobby, attached parking garage and personalized concierge service.

The new Capitol District is located in the heart of downtown Omaha across the street from the CenturyLink Arena & Convention Center and TD Ameritrade Park, home of the NCAA College World Series and other major NCAA and regional events.

Views of the project site can be seen live at http://www.workzonecam.com/projects/shamrock/capitaldistrict/workzonecam.

For more information on the Capitol District Development, visit http://www.capitoldistrictomaha.com.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, including Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a Chicago location opening in early 2017. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

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Chicago, Ill. – On orders from Control, SafeHouse agents will neither confirm nor deny that legendary Milwaukee destination (and famous spy refuge), The SafeHouse, will officially open its covert Windy City location to the public on March 1 at 5 p.m. However, reliable sources have reported this to be factual. SafeHouse Chicago, a refuge for weary spies, maintains the establishment’s treasured 50-year legacy while adding upgraded experiences to the new location, including new technology and a modern design by Chicago’s own award-winning firm, The Gettys Group.

On orders from Control, Station Chief Agent OH-OH-7 (aka David J. Baldwin) founded SafeHouse Milwaukee in 1966. His vision for this spy-themed hideaway was unique and full of historical references. SafeHouse became a local landmark and cultural icon for hungry spies. Agent OH-OH-7 and his Chief of Disinformation Agent Eliza remained undercover for nearly 50 years. Their secret was service for all spies who came in from the cold – or from the warm. Today, Agent BB (aka Greg Marcus, The Marcus Corporation President and CEO), and his team of friendly Marcus Restaurant agents continue Agent OH-OH-7’s vision.

“Who doesn’t want to escape the everyday for an hour or two and become an international superspy?” says Agent BB, Greg Marcus, President and CEO of The Marcus Corporation. “Fascination with the world of espionage persists in novels and movies, making the SafeHouse concept one that stands the test of time. Spying is, after all, the world’s second oldest profession.”

Secretly headquartered below the city streets in the vicinity of 60 E. Ontario Street, the SafeHouse Chicago fuses elements from the original Milwaukee location with modern technology. The password to enter will remain unchanged, but a new agent authentication process and unique new experiences have been installed, including the soon-to-be infamous Cone of Silence Booth. Visiting spies will be tasked with locating the top-secret entrance marked only with a sign for International Exports Ltd. flanked by a gaslight and an iconic red door. Before entering, operatives will be required to provide the password or perform a top-secret clearance test to gain entry to this newest refuge for spies from around the world. Once inside, operatives will embark on a one-of-a-kind mission as they create their own agent name and complete missions while discovering gadgets and uncovering hidden secrets.

In addition to upgraded technology, the SafeHouse Chicago integrates more technology and upgraded aesthetics for agents operating in the modern world. The design of the SafeHouse was led by award-winning design firm, The Gettys Group, and Agent Fudd, Paul Daurio. Original espionage artifacts are an integral part of the décor, including the flight deck from an authentic spy plane donated by the man who flew it in WWII, as well as a piece of the Berlin Wall secured from covert operatives. From the sleek Interpol Bar to the Spybrary, to the Seduction Lounge and the Interrogation Room, every aspect of the design has been tinkered, tailored, soldiered, and spied. Interactive elements such as a Gadget Bar featuring a nightly magician, and “futuristic” technology, fuse seamlessly in an action-packed atmosphere where food and signature drinks unite guests as they embark on their mission.

Every spy needs to eat well. Under orders from Control, the SafeHouse culinary agents are always on the prowl, tracing the source of local ingredients and securing them from top suppliers. These ingredients are then smuggled into the SafeHouse and hand-assembled into fresh dishes by experienced chefs to spies who deserve local and authentic food. Honoring original favorites like the Fried C4 Cheese Curds and the hand-crafted M.O.A.B. (Mother of All Burgers), Agent Pickles (a.k.a. Head Culinary Agent David Hardy) has bulked up the menu for visiting spies, adding specialties including our Camp X Poutine and an array of savory entrees as well as healthy vegetarian and vegan items.

“Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking unique experiences, and the SafeHouse is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and bar that fills that niche,” says Agent Blonde, Peggy Williams-Smith, Marcus Hotels & Resorts Senior Vice President. “Spies in the great city of Chicago were in need of a refuge and Control wanted to ensure there was a SafeHouse for them as well.”

SafeHouse Chicago is open Sunday-Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. For more information on The SafeHouse, visit www.SafeHouseChicago.com or call (312) 3131-007.

About Marcus Hotels & Resorts
Marcus Hotels & Resorts, a division of The Marcus Corporation (NYSE: MCS), owns and/or manages 18 hotels, resorts and other properties in the U.S. The company’s distinctive portfolio includes city-center meeting hotels, upscale resorts, historic properties, and premium branded and independent first-class hotels. Marcus Hotels & Resorts is an approved operator for all major lodging brands. A leader in the hospitality industry since 1962, Marcus Hotels & Resorts creates asset value for hotel owners through its expertise in management, development and product repositioning, including hotel food and beverage concepts developed by its Marcus Restaurant Group, including Mason Street Grill, ChopHouse and Miller Time Pub & Grill. The company is also growing its experiential restaurant concept, The SafeHouse, with a Chicago location opening in early 2017. For more information, please visit: https://media.marcushotels.com and follow the company on Facebook and Twitter (@MarcusHotels).

About The Marcus Corporation
Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, The Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries, with significant company-owned real estate assets. In addition to its Marcus Hotels & Resorts division, the company’s movie theatre division, Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. and currently owns or operates 885 screens at 68 locations in eight states. For more information, please visit the company’s website at www.marcuscorp.com.