When Four Winds New Buffalo Chief Operating Officer Matt Harkness helped launch the new entertainment destination in New Buffalo, Mich., it was 2006 and a year before the property opened.
Last month, Four Winds New Buffalo celebrated its "lucky seventh" anniversary as a gaming mainstay for guests.
When the gaming oasis first opened on Aug. 1, 2007, the launch was attended by thousands, including Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen and Chicago Bears greats William "the Fridge" Perry and Richard Dent. The special night even featured a surprise performance by The Pointer Sisters right in the middle of the casino.
"When we originally opened, we had a small stage above the main bar in the middle of the casino and that's where The Pointer Sisters performed," Harkness recalled.
"Today, we have more space than ever before for both performances and our guests for dining, hotel stays and gaming."
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It was in 2012 when Four Winds New Buffalo snagged Sheryl Crow to perform an exclusive concert for the grand opening night of the property's new Hard Rock Restaurant. As with any opening of a new Hard Rock, the celebration featured a unique ritual. Rather than a traditional "ribbon cutting," Hard Rock uses a "guitar smashing ceremony," with Crow doing the honors led by Harkness.
In the same stretch of summer months, Harkness and the staff welcomed 400 new employees, plus rock star Rod Stewart to unveil the 1,500-seat Silver Creek Event Center and stage for headline entertainers and conferences, along with a new 250-room hotel tower.
It was in August 2011, the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians who operate Four Winds also opened their new casino, Four Winds Hartford, at 68600 Red Arrow Highway in Hartford, Mich., just 45 miles northeast of the sister property Four Winds New Buffalo. There is also a third Four Winds property in Dowagiac, Mich.
"We are now busy making plans for renovations and updates for the hotel and casino to make sure the experience is always fresh for our guests," Harkness said.
"The newer hotel tower has nine floors and features 110 junior suites, in addition to 20 deluxe rooms, which include a dining area and living room plus the bedroom. And of course, we also have our six celebrity suites, which are even bigger and more luxurious, including having their own water-walls in the bathroom attached to the master bedroom."
With both towers included, the entire hotel space offers more than 400 rooms for guests. The Four Winds property also has shuttle service for the surrounding area as well as buses which transport visitors from Chicago and other areas to enjoy the Four Winds hospitality.
"There's so much rich history that comes with Four Winds and the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, and we take pride in sharing it with our guests," Harkness said.
"From the painted murals on the ceilings of the main lobby to the rustic lodge inspired decor, it all has symbolism.
Cattails, turtles, arrows and bows are prominently featured as decor details throughout the expansive property which employs more than 2,000 people.
The Hard Rock Cafe, which can seat up to 250 guests, also features a smaller stage to host musical acts, which range from local and regional to national talents. This Hard Rock Cafe space is the only such branded operation in the Midwest with the exception of sister properties in Chicago and Detroit.
David Holle, the memorabilia designer from Hard Rock Cafe's corporate headquarters in Orlando, was at the location when it originally opened, helping with hanging the final priceless and trademark Hard Rock star-owned items.
"I've been with Hard Rock for 28 years and there are some great pieces displayed here, from guitars owned and signed by Johnny Cash and Paul McCartney to costumes from Michael Jackson and Madonna," Holle said.
His favorite find remains the jumpsuit worn by Elton John for his "Yellow Brick Road" album, with the yellow creation which graced a large plexi-glass case at the entrance of the Four Winds Hard Rock Cafe for the opening.
Harkness said his favorite rock history treasure displayed is a hand-written letter from Janis Joplin.
In addition to shopping and boutiques located along the main inside entrance hall to the casino, there's also an 11,000-square-foot area called Kids Quest for young guests to enjoy.
But for many guests, varied dining options are a reason to visit Four Winds. From the "white tablecloth experience" of Copper Rock Steakhouse to the sprawling gourmet food stations landscape of the buffet space, Harkness said their knowledgeable staff is eager to please.
"We have different guests who come for different reasons," Harkness said.
"Some love our gift center promotion giveaways, while others love that we have the Hard Rock here now, which now includes an outdoor seating area that's heated, has fire pits and even an outdoor television that is perfect for football season."
Besides a guest incentives card program and private high-stakes gaming rooms, much of the casino floor is devoted to more than 3,000 gaming machines and 70 table games.
Themed slots with branding like Dolly Parton, The Village People, "The Wizard of Oz," John Wayne and "Willy Wonka" are particular favorites.
"We also have a new exciting addition, 3D experience gaming machines," Harkness said.
"They are the future and just another reason to be excited about what's next."
FYI: Four Winds New Buffalo, 11111 Wilson Rd, New Buffalo, Mich. or Four Winds Hartford, 68600 Red Arrow Highway, Hartford, Mich. or Four Winds Dowagiac 58700 M-51 South, Dowagiac, Mich. For reservations and information, call (866) 494-6371 or fourwindscasino.com.