Industry Insiders: Eugene Remm, Tenjune

Eugene Remm, the sovereign of Tenjune, talks about working his way up from the mailroom to picking up the slack in nightlife industry, and what he's got on the books for '09.

What are you doing tonight? Going to Tenjune!

Where do you go out? Gramercy [Hotel] is one of my favorites because they have a great scene, great design and great people who work there. Pastis always stands out because they know how to treat regulars. That combined with the great food and great staff makes for a consistently good dining experience. Charles has the appeal of an intimate restaurant where the owners treat you like family and the food is really good.

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What’s your job title? I am a Partner in EMM Group, a Nightlife and Hospitality group that owns and operates businesses including Tenjune, Four Hundred; our members-only concierge company, our Hampton property The EMM Group Estate and our hotel bar The Chandelier Room.

Who do you admire in your industry? I worked for Steve Hanson and always admired the way he created a great multi-restaurant operation focusing on hospitality and top-notch, consistent service.  It was an amazing learning experience for me before leaving to open Tenjune and developing the blueprint to build EMM Group’s multiple venues. Ian Schrager is another person who really stands out as a pioneer in many businesses.  He took the most exclusive nightclub formula and grew it into a hotel empire.  When people use the term ‘he gets it’ in my opinion no one represents that more than him.

Any downsides to working in nightlife? The lack of work ethic of some people who work in this business.  There are people who still believe that if they just show up for the three to four hours of service that they are doing their job. When in actuality the job is now more 24/7 than ever.

What is something that people might not know about you? That I moved to New York and started in the mail room at a big PR firm.

Best place to spend New Year’s Eve? Miami at The Shore Club.

Where’s your dream spot for a venture? I am living my dream in my dream spaces. I have all of my businesses within three blocks of home and I don’t even have to get in a cab to do what I love to do. 

What do you have going on in 2009? The opening of our first hotel bar in Hoboken and our new restaurant and club on 14th Street in the Meatpacking District.