Michael Scozzafave developed the Rum Runners concept in 1995 while working in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Michael had been working in the corporate entertainment industry developing large scale events for companies that were holding national or regional training meetings and incentive programs. An event would be produced by installing a large amount of theme décor into a ballroom at a resort for a four (4) hour show. Unbelievable entertainment would be provided to create a night that everyone was guaranteed to remember. Michael oversaw all aspects of the production including the décor, catering, sound, lighting, staging, video production, and the entertainment for show. For the companies who had hired him - it was paradise everyday!

One of the obvious things that he noticed was that everyone was happy and having an amazing time at all of these events. They loved the incredible productions, the overall themes and the tropical atmosphere that was magically created for each specific event. People from non-tourist destinations were especially excited because they didn’t have anything like this at home. Many times he heard people ask why there was nothing like these events closer to home. They overwhelmingly agreed that a business with the same theme would be a big hit and successful.

These same thoughts did not pass Michael by. He began to wonder the same thing. Why not build a tropical themed bar/restaurant, with live interactive entertainment as a permanent fixture, in a city that was far from the islands and the beach? Open to the public, this surely would be a big hit and one that was guaranteed to be hugely successful!
 
While a student at Michigan State University, Michael had worked extensively in the bar/nightclub industry and had learned the ins-and-outs of the business. Coupled with his extensive experience in the hospitality industry, he set out to build a tropically themed establishment with great food, great service, unbelievable atmosphere and entertainment second to none. It would be a place that could be enjoyed by people of all ages.
 
While working in Florida, an old partner of Michael’s called him and excitedly told him about a new baseball team coming to Lansing, Michigan. In addition to the new 10,000 seat baseball stadium, the city had rededicated itself to the revitalization of downtown Lansing. Ongoing projects included The Lansing Center (convention center), and redeveloped Capitol area – all with the intention to drive the development of a new entertainment district. With this knowledge Michael and his partner set out to find the perfect location for their new business.
 
What they found was an old building located at 601 East Michigan Ave, directly in the center of downtown Lansing. This particular property was on the north east corner of Michigan Ave and North Larch Street, - directly across from the new baseball park, Oldsmobile Stadium. A perfect location for the launching of a new concept!
 
A lease was signed and the construction began! Michael knew this would be a big hit. He was bringing all the highlights of the tropics to Lansing, Michigan – basically bringing the vacation directly to the people! It would be just a little bit of paradise to a state way up north.
 
The entertainment was also very important, as just the right variety was crucial to making this a success. It had to be something that the public could not get anywhere else. Again Michael relied on his experiences in popular tourist destinations like Florida and working in the corporate entertainment industry. One very popular form of entertainment for corporate events was an interactive audience participation show featuring 2 performers and dueling pianos. It was the perfect choice to make the new business the ultimate entertainment destination! The only thing left was to come up with a name.
 
While enjoying a rum runner mixed drink at a tiki bar in Ft. Lauderdale, Michael and his father Frank, tossed potential names for the bar/restaurant back and forth. Nothing they came up with seemed to capture the entire tropical concept and entertainment combination. Finally, after ordering their second round of drinks, it hit them…”Rum Runners”. It was the perfect name for a tropical restaurant with specialty frozen drinks.
 
With the name set, the concept in place, and the entertainment finalized, the first Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar & Grill opened on June 1, 1996 to huge crowds, and kept growing ever since. Rum Runners has positioned itself to be the the top live entertainment bar & restaurant company in the industry - with no end in site!