A few months after I left college I was hired to do the overnight show on 1023 WSUS. It was the early 80's. The very first company Christmas Party I ever went to was at the Playboy Club. I was beyond impressed. How many 21 year old kids just out of college have that memory. Even a few years after when the hotel was owned by Americana the parties and events there were very well done. For several years I even hosted shows in the Cabaret Show Room. It was a long time ago but the performers were still a pretty big deal back then: Chubby Checker, Little Anthony, Three Dog Night, The Drifters, Jay and the Americans and Bobby Rydell. Then everything slowly went down hill. Today the once crown jewel of Hugh Hefner's hotel business sit empty and deteriorating. Now there's new hope to revive the huge hotel and property according to Vernon Mayor Howard Burrell. At tonight's council meeting the mayor will present a proposed legal settlement from the current owners for fines and back property taxes. Metairie Corporation wants to make good on $860,000 owed in back taxes in exchange for the township forgiving $60,000 in fines. Metairie has already paid $472,000 last month. So where does this go from here. Well, no one is quite sure yet but as part of the agreement with Vernon Metairie has agreed to find a buyer who will redevelop the property. Mayor Burrell believes the opening of Legoland Resort in nearby Goshen, New York could lead to a boom in tourism in the Vernon area. Which could be a major factor for anyone looking to buy and revitalize the old Playboy Club.
Source: New Jersey Herald