After several months of live programming as an anonymous announcer known only by his initials, N.T.G., Granlund approached George Schubel, President of the "Ridgewood Times" and licensee of WHN, proposing to purchase the station and relocating it to New York City. On July 28, 1923, the station was purchased by Marcus Loew and the studios transferred to his State Theatre at 1540 Broadway, where Granlund served as Station Manager and announcer. He brought entertainers Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor and Harry Richman to the listening public. He also presented radio's first amateur program. Granlund continued to stage live revues for the Loew's Theaters and became known for his use of scantily-clad chorus girls, comedians, and singers. As a producer, he simultaneously staged shows at Broadway showplaces such as the Frivolity Club, the Silver Slipper, the Paradise, and the Hollywood. During Prohibition he was arrested along with several other speakeasy figures, including Texas Guinan, whom Granlund had introduced to Larry Fay, her partner at the notorious El Fey Club. The sweep was part of a city-wide liquor crackdown that made headlines across the United States. Although Granlund was charged in the initial indictment, following Guinan's acquittal, prosecutors declined to press the case against Granlund. September 15, 1938, after operating successful reviews on Broadway and touring the U.S., Granlund opened his first nightclub as sole owner. The Midnight Sun featured a Swedish motif and relied on the sales of food over liquor, but offered the same live stage presentations. In a syndicated column describing his innovations in the "New York Times", Granlund is credited with having invented the modern nightclub. His Hollywood Restaurant on Broadway set all-time night club entertainment standards. The famed Paradise Restaurant in New York City was also his creation. His "Congress of Beauty" exhibition at the 1939 New York World's Fair met with mixed reviews and financial disaster, forcing Granlund to shut down the showgirl revue early. Within a year, he relocated to California, setting up a chorus line revue at Hollywood's Florentine Gardens, an act generally panned by Variety, but one which during World War II, held great appeal to California-based servicemen, and boosted Granlund into the ranks of the nation's top grossing entertainment acts. While in Hollywood, he was featured in several motion pictures, generally appearing as himself, and 1942's "Rhythm Parade" was set at the Florentine Gardens.