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ROCKFORD - The Pacific Tavern has recently undergone a complete makeover after its ownership was purchased by Charles Merrill, President of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. Rockford's set to see its prime booze outlet jazzed up, with the famed Venetian-based Venice Jazz Club officially opening here on Friday evening.

"Jazz is part of the soul of many Rockfordian artists, it's a great inspiration and it's on the rise here, so the arrival of the Venice Jazz Club in Rockford couldn't come at a better time," said Wesley Lawrence, the general manager of the club.

The Venice Jazz Club has already expanded from its Dorsoduro home to branches in Japan, France, Germany and Russia. Its Rockford club is the first in the New World. 

Seating arrangement at the club includes three regular tables for clubbers, as well as a reserved VIP table offering the closest view of the stage for a premium price. The bar is stocked with a wide variety of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, originating from places all around the globe; from Italian vino, to Russian vodka, to Tennessee whiskey - "There is no such a thing as 'we don't have it'," says Mr. Lawrence, "if you want it, we've got it."

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According to sources close to Charles Merrill, the jazz club in EvoCity operated for a week as part of a trial period. However, due to its lack of success it was never officially licensed under the "Venice Jazz Club" franchise. The Pacific Tavern has seen hoards of customers seep through its doors and reporters have called it a "golden investment". Whether or not the Venice Jazz Club takes off in Rockford has yet to be seen.