Jack Penrod's Proclamation Ceremony at Nikki Beach Miami

MIAMI BEACH, Fla., April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- (http://www.myprgenie.com) -- On Tuesday, April 17, an exclusive group of Miami Beach residents, politicians and state officials gathered at the world-renowned Nikki Beach Club to celebrate its founder Jack Penrod.

After 25 years in business on Miami Beach, the State of Florida, Miami Dade County and the City of Miami Beach proudly honored Mr. Penrod with a Proclamation to celebrate the phenomenal success of Nikki Beach and his contribution to the successful transformation of the surrounding area. As a tribute to Mr. Penrod's undeniably important role in changing the face of South Beach forever, the City of Miami Beach and Miami Dade County, officially named Tuesday, April 17, 2012, "Jack Penrod Day."

Amongst the guests on Tuesday evening were Ms. Ana Rivas Logan (The Honorable Representative for the State of Florida), Mr. Luis Garcia (Florida House Representative), Mrs. Lynda Bell (The Honorable Commissioner for Miami Dade County), Mr. Russell Benford (The Honorable Deputy Mayor of Miami Dade County) and Mr. Michael Gongora (The Honorable Commissioner for the City of Miami Beach) whom were eager to celebrate both Nikki Beach and the man behind it, Jack Penrod.  

While his business is legendary, few know the man behind the Nikki Beach vision. Jack Penrod, an avid diver, pilot and all-around outdoorsman built his empire from the ground up. His illustrious career in business now spans the globe, with locations in 8 countries and a lifestyle brand that reaches even further. But the Nikki Beach founder had a modest start. A hard-worker and aspiring entrepreneur, he joined the McDonald's Restaurant Corporation in 1969 as a line cook making $.85 an hour. Due to his innate marketing skills, he put his savvy into over-drive and moved up the ranks at warp speed. Mr. Penrod eventually became the largest franchise owner in the State of Florida.

After his success with McDonald's, Jack Penrod turned his attention toward the entertainment, nightlife and hospitality industry, opening several clubs in Daytona Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. His success with Penrod's Beach Club in Ft. Lauderdale was astronomical and it seemed everyone wanted to get in on the action. The City of Miami Beach, in particular, was interested in having Mr. Penrod open a business in South Beach on the once sleepy Ocean Drive.

Previously a dilapidated part of Miami Beach, more popular with retirees than trendsetters, the South of Fifth area of South Beach is now one of the most sought-after and exclusive neighborhoods on the beach. Jack Penrod has played a major role in the neighborhood's transformation since the mid-80's with the opening of Penrod's Beach Club in 1988. For two years in a row, first in 1984 and again in 1985, a delegation from the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau approached Jack Penrod about bringing his successful Ft. Lauderdale business, Penrod's, to South Beach. Mr. Penrod turned Ron Kent, the director of the GMCVB, down in 1984 after studying Ocean Drive and finding it was crime-ridden and unsafe for his staff.

Then, in 1985, City of Miami Beach Commissioner Bruce Singer approached Mr. Penrod again on behalf of the city and asked him to reconsider; Mr. Singer asked Mr. Penrod to create a "wish list," promising that the City would do whatever it could to bring his successful business to its streets. After careful consideration, Mr. Penrod compiled his terms and the city gratefully welcomed Penrod's.

Ever the savvy businessman, Mr. Penrod spent the first few years creating a buzz all over the country about Penrod's Beach Club coming to Miami Beach before actually opening the $4 million entertainment complex at One Ocean Drive. After 3 full years of legendary parties all over the country, cutting edge marketing campaigns and the success of the beach concession from 1st Street to 14th Street, Penrod's Beach Club opened its doors and changed the face of the neighborhood forever.

Nine years later, tragedy struck and Mr. Penrod's daughter, Nicole, was killed in an auto accident. Devastated as he was, Jack Penrod decided that, rather than mourn his daughter's passing, he would celebrate her life for years to come. In 1997, after a complete renovation, Nikki Beach Club was opened. The venue and its sister properties all over the world are a continuing homage to Nikki Penrod and the Nikki Beach brand is meant to exemplify all that she was as a person; beautiful, fun-loving, a trendsetter and cutting edge in every way.

The Nikki Beach brand has become the premier luxury entertainment lifestyle brand in South Florida and the world. Not only has the venue made its mark on South Beach, but the brand has shined a spotlight on Miami Beach all over the globe, with locations in St. Tropez and Cannes in France; St. Barth in the Caribbean; Marbella and Mallorca in Spain; Cabo San Lucas in Mexico; Koh Samui in Thailand, at the Toronto Film Festival in Canada, Marrakesh in Northern Africa and Miami Beach in the USA.

Attendees were honored to be a part of the State, County & City's expression of gratitude and congratulations to Mr. Penrod on Tuesday and thrilled to be a part of honoring a large piece of Miami Beach History.

Nikki Beach News

Contact: Maritza Solorzano , [email protected], 1-786-515-1153

SOURCE Nikki News