This news announcement just hit the streets last week:

Building on its illustrious past and looking toward the future, Vault Entertainment, Inc. (VEI) is poised to reopen the Vault Long Beach (VLB), formerly Vault 350, with plans for it to become the premier entertainment venue not only for Long Beach but also for all of Southern California.

After a few challenges and a virtual year-and-a-half standstill, VEI co-founder Rudy Medina has partnered with real estate developer Jason S. Talbot to assemble an A-list team to execute the venture.  As President of VEI, Talbot led a national talent search for a Chief Operating Officer that resulted in the hiring of James “Jabo” Jablonski. Jablonski brings expertise and solid credentials to the endeavor—including House of Blues and Hard Rock Hotel—and will be the operations guru who will implement the day-to-day business plan. The group will unveil the new Vault Long Beach in the spring of 2012.

“Almost a year ago, fate brought Rudy and I together to talk about the future of live music and entertainment at the Vault in Long Beach,” recalled Talbot. “As a real estate developer and entrepreneur, I’ve been searching for the right opportunity in the nightlife/entertainment industry for a couple of years. My strength as a developer lies in my ability to build talented and dynamic teams and allow them to work their magic in executing a vision. The opportunity to combine my passions—development and pop culture/music—to create an iconic entertainment venue that will strengthen, rejuvenate and act as a catalyst to energize the Long Beach entertainment district is exactly the type of opportunity I have been looking for.”                                                                       

“For anyone who has met Rudy, his enthusiasm and sheer determination is contagious,” Talbot continued,” and with that we have assembled a team of senior level management and strategic partners to execute our vision. The first key member of that team is Jim Jablonski, formally of the House of Blues/Live Nation and the Hard Rock Hotel.  Our goal with Vault Long Beach is to create a new paradigm in live music and entertainment not only in Long Beach, but to set a new industry standard.  We are going to bring in top-tier talent that will be featured in a one-of-a kind entertainment facility with amenities that one would expect in Las Vegas or New York.”                        

To that end, the multi-million dollar renovation of the former 1920s bank building on Pine Avenue has resumed. Upon completion, it will fuse traditional sensibilities of the original Greek revival interior—including a 24k gold “egg and dart” ceiling, a 56-foot stage and over 30,000 square feet of space—with a contemporary interior and cutting-edge technology. Last year as part of their downtown beautification project, the Long Beach Redevelopment Agency awarded the developers a $250,000 exterior facade grant to create and build a custom-designed marquee for the venue, which is currently in the works.                                                                
                                                                    
In addition to live concerts and special engagements, the Vault Long Beach will open its doors to opportunities for movies, TV and commercial filming production, as well as serve as host for social and corporate events. With the endorsement of the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, we’re ready to begin facilitating booking convention business. Dining at VLB will take center stage and negotiations are underway to bring onboard a cutting-edge, visionary culinary team.

About Vault Entertainment, Inc. & The VEI Partners:
Beginning with the Vault Long Beach, VEI’s mission is to have the “Vault” brand become synonymous with excellence in the live music, nightlife, and food & beverage industry. VEI is focused on growing into a multi-million dollar corporation that owns, manages and operates multiple venues. 

Rudy Medina, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer
A native of San Diego, Rudy became Vice President of Real Estate Development for Pat & Oscar’s restaurants nearly 20 years ago, overseeing the rollout of more than 20 locations in Southern California. In 2006 he started Medina Investments and Development, a boutique urban infill firm specializing in residential and historical building renovation. With the acquisition of the 350 Pine Avenue property he’s merging his affinity for Long Beach with his astute development sensibilities.

Jason S. Talbot, Co-Founder and President
Jason is real estate developer with extensive entitlement and development experience in commercial and residential real estate with a proven track record of successful business growth in the areas of finance and business development and operations. His career accomplishments include business formation, raising private equity, growing revenue, superior investment returns, creating value-added opportunities, initiating strategic business planning and driving actionable implementation and change. Jason’s leadership style is distinguished by an ability to identify business strengths and growth opportunities while creating lasting relationships.

James “Jabo” Jablonski, Chief Operating Officer
With over 30 years of experience working with major corporations, Jabo possesses executive management expertise in the operation of hotels, resorts, entertainment venues, and food & beverage concepts. Most recently he held the position of COO for House of Blues Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary of Live Nation, as well as Senior VP, Central Region/GM (Chicago, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and Las Vegas markets). As COO for the VLB and a resident of Long Beach, Jabo will oversee all areas of operations for the venue including accounting, human resources, talent & production, sales & marketing, box office sales, and all food & beverage operations.