Record #: R2021-798   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 7/21/2021 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 7/21/2021
Title: Congratulations extended to Lettuce Entertain You on 50th anniversary
Sponsors: Burke, Edward M.
Attachments: 1. R2021-798.pdf

RESOLUTION

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of the 50th Anniversary of Lettuce Entertain You by Alderman Edward M. Burke; and

 

WHEREAS, Richard "Rich" Melman, co-founder and chairman of the board of Lettuce Entertain You created this unique Chicago icon on June 10, 1971; and

 

WHEREAS, Rich grew up in a middle-class family; and

 

WHEREAS, Rich struggled to find investors for his first restaurant, until he met Jerry Orzoff on two separate occasions; and

 

WHEREAS, Jerry became Rich's best friend, mentor, and business guru; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1971, Rich and Jerry opened their first restaurant called R.J. Grunts in Lincoln Park that took months before it caught on with celebrities and athletes; and

 

WHEREAS, Within five years, Rich and Jerry opened four more restaurants, including a re-creation of The Pump Room, a stylish magnet for Hollywood elites like Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Cary Grant; and

 

WHEREAS, Rich married his wife Martha, with whom he had three children, R.J., Jerrod and Molly; and

 

WHEREAS, In its current iteration, Lettuce Entertain You operates 130 restaurants spanning seven states and the nation's capitol, with more in the planning stages; and

 

WHEREAS, Past associations included Stephen Colbert, Jane Lynch, and David Schwimmer, while others have risen in the ranks to become some ofthe company's more than 75 partners; and

 

WHEREAS, Rich helped launch the Taste of Chicago on July 4, 1980; and

 

WHEREAS, Lettuce Entertain Us is still family-owned and operated, with founder Richard Melman's children having assumed leadership of the organization. R.J., the oldest, is now president with Jerrod and Molly, as executive partners; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and the members ofthe Chicago City Council, assembled this twenty-first day of July, 2021, do hereby recognize the 50th Anniversary of Lettuce Entertain You as well as Richard Melman's lifetime achievements and accolades; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Richard along with the congratulations and best wishes of the City of Chicago, and be it further resolved, that July 31, 2021 be declared Richard (Rich) Melman Day in the City of Chicago.

 

 

I

Alderman, 14th Ward