I believe dreams can come true,” says Gino Battaglia as he gazes out the window of his club, Blue Chicago on North State Street. ”I just like it the way it is. I want to make every day here count.”
A little over two years ago, Battaglia, a native of Sicily who came to this country as a child with his mother and three brothers, took a look around at the local nightlife scene. He decided there was a market for a Chicago-style blues club that was centrally located ”where people could experience the blues in a comfortable environment.”
Through a thoughtful booking policy that features a consistently solid mix of veterans and up-and-coming blues artists (and a generous smattering of female performers), Blue Chicago has cultivated a clientele list that includes customers from the Gold Coast and surrounding Near North area as well as repeat business from out-of-towners attracted by its convenient location and friendly atmosphere. Letters of appreciation have come from as far away as France and Italy. And the musicians themselves are mightily impressed, too.
”Once you become established and get that reputation, you constantly have to work at it,” says Battaglia, who puts in an average of 70 hours per week at the club.
”I don`t have a secret formula,” he insists. ”We`re doing a lot of little things right and it all adds up.”
The place: Blue Chicago, 937 N. State St.; 642-6261. Live blues every night except Sunday.
Hours: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays through Fridays, to 3 a.m. Saturdays.
Cover: $3-$4 Mondays through Thursdays; $5-$6 Fridays and Saturdays.
Club business policy: ”I want people to feel they`re getting their money`s worth. If they`re not happy with the show, we`ll refund their money.” On the importance of first impressions: ”When people walk in for the first time, the music better be good.”
Working together: ”I don`t consider any of the (other blues) clubs competition. Everyone`s broadening the base of the blues audience.”
Coming: Eddie Clearwater Blues Band at 9 p.m. Friday; $6 cover.
Source: Gino Battaglia, manager.
