PRESS RELEASE
ADMINISTRATION
May 1, 2007
For Immediate
Release Contact:
Kate Reardon
Public Information Director
kreardon@ci.everett.wa.us
425-257-8687 or cell 425-418-0936
PJ Pedroni
Chopstix
pjpedroni@mac.com
206-270-4444 or cell 206-377-8700
Chopstix to open in Everett this summer
Dueling piano bar to locate in heart of downtown
EVERETT – The City of Everett is pleased to announce that Chopstix, a dueling piano bar and restaurant, plans to open at 2820 Oakes St. in downtown Everett this summer.
The Everett site will be the third restaurant location for Chopstix, which also has restaurants in Seattle and Tacoma as well as a thriving special events business known as the Chopstix Roadshow.
As one of the founding partners for Chopstix, PJ Pedroni believes Everett is the perfect fit.
“We always knew that Everett was where we wanted to be,” Pedroni said. “The residents are so proud of this community and it shows. In talking with other business owners, the one thing that stood out was the overwhelming support in the community.”
Mayor Ray Stephanson said he’s pleased that recent city and community efforts have attracted such a high-quality business to downtown.
“Our downtown is starting to shine,” Mayor Stephanson said. “Chopstix will be a great addition to our already evolving urban center.”
Pedroni specifically calls out efforts by the City of Everett and its Economic Development Department as being one of the major factors for choosing Everett over other local areas.
“The city has been so easy to work with during this process,” Pedroni explains. “If it wasn’t for them, we would still be looking for a new home.”
Lanie McMullin, executive director of Economic Development for the City of Everett, said: “We are delighted to welcome Chopstix and its unique brand of entertainment to our downtown core. This is another exciting addition to the critical mass of 24/7 vitality.”
Once the establishment opens this summer, Chopstix will feature its signature dueling piano show four nights a week.
“Our show is built around all the music you love performed by Vegas style entertainers,” Pedroni said. “We cover all the music you would expect to hear on a piano by artists like Elton John, Billy Joel, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis. But just when you think you’ve heard it all, we throw some curve balls at you with Piano Rockin’ versions of songs by popular 80s artists like Journey, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, or current artists like Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dogg and even Justin Timberlake.”
Another major focus for Chopstix Everett will be a full dinner menu open to all ages until 8 p.m. Tony Fattahi president the group explains “We have always had a great menu of affordable dinners which is a tradition that we will not only continue but are excited to expand in conjunction with the Everett opening. Built on a something for every palate idea, the menu will be the perfect reason to hit Chopstix after work, before a concert or when planning a night out with friends.”
The Everett Lions club was also a major factor in the process. “The Lions were really outstanding in finalizing this deal” said Marc Drewry, the third founding partner of Chopstix. “Not only were they great to work with on the lease, they opened doors for us with other key local groups, including CJ Ebert of Harbor Mountain Developments and the architects at Gary Parkinson’s.”
A team from Gary Parkinson’s has already started work drafting the plans for this project as the Chopstix group looks to the latter part of Summer 2007 for the grand opening. Chopstix will take reservations for dinner and looks to be one of the premier places for dinner and a show in Everett. The group is also working on the possibility of an all-ages family show for this new location.
Jeff Kraft from Neil Walter & Company, represented Chopstix a dueling piano bar, LLC in the lease negotiations.
“Chopstix will be the perfect fit for Everett,” Kraft said. “I am extremely excited that we could make this work. I saw first-hand how the Tacoma location helped shape the development of the 6th Avenue district there, and I think it will be an important piece in the continued growth of Everett. Chopstix has first class operators, and I know it will be a place we can all be proud of, sort of like ‘Cheers,’ with pianos!” Kraft added with a laugh.
For more information about Chopstix, contact PJ Pedroni at 253.377.8700 or by email pjpedroni@mac.com