Won't somebody think of the brand

Hard Rock International is upset about the collapse..... of its reputation.

In a letter sent Wednesday to Cantrell, the casino, hotel and restaurant company took particular umbrage at protesters who have called for boycotting its properties. It threatened legal action for damage to its brand.

"As we have shared privately and publicly, we appreciate the leadership and compassion you have demonstrated," Hard Rock Chief Operating Officer Jon Lucas wrote in the letter. "But four months have passed since the building at 1031 Canal St. collapsed; the resulting tragedy has devastated our community, its residents and tarnished its image around the world."

Cantrell fired back Thursday, accusing the company of failing to assist the city in the months after the disaster.

"Fear of damage to their brand has finally prompted Hard Rock’s corporate leadership to engage with this crisis, four full months after the tragedy," Cantrell spokesman Beau Tidwell said in an email. "Shame would be far more appropriate."

We don't say this often but Cantrell and her team have this one one hundred percent correct. It's refreshing to see them push back against a major corporate entity with real estate interests for a change.  

Of course Hard Rock isn't among the parties here who have made major contributions to the mayor and her political organizations.  The local contractors have done that.  And she is still defending them.

City officials have said they expect the building to be imploded sometime in March. On Wednesday, Cantrell said delays in the demolition have been exacerbated by criticism of the developers that have caused concerns among contractors.

Anyway Hard Rock also threatens, in their letter, to sue over "reputation damage to our name."  Sounds helpful.