VEGAS INC Magazine - Latest Las Vegas business news, features and commentaries about gaming, tourism, real estate and more
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/144913
the basics Pick 'Em Get smart Power tweets Power Lunch The Numbers Sin City Media Overheard talking points Done Deal the numbers Chatter We hear .com Buy high Sell low 6,352 VEGASINCmag Executive class YOUR AD HERE Read this! Reader comments We want to hear from you. Visit vegasinc.com to post your opinion. The Pitch is back Moonlighting NOW SERVING LAS VEGAS Vegas then ? ? ? ? ? ! The innovator 95 VEGASinc2021 Gate keeper American dream FortuneCookie Grilled The Survivor The number of players who entered the World $ Series of Poker Main Event this year. It was the eighth-largest field to date but the lowest turnout since 2005. The first-place prize is $8.4 million. 32 The number of people listed in Nevada's Black Book, which catalogues people barred from entering casinos. The state Gaming Control Board recently nominated Larry Keith Green and Roderick W. Dee II for inclusion, the first nominations since 2009. The duo was convicted in 2012 in Missouri for manipulating slot machines. $2,500 The cost of an annual membership to BlackJet, which allows people book private jets in 10 cities. In addition to the membership fee, customers also must pay between $1,500 to $3,500 per seat. 3.8 million The number of people who visited Las Vegas in May, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. May passenger counts at McCarran International Airport were the highest for any month this year. 3 The number of new stores opening at the Shops at Crystals this year. Valentino and Richard Mille are slated to open in August, while Loro Piana is scheduled for an October opening. The mall's occupancy rate is about 85 percent. $387,750 The amount the first Apple computer sold for at auction this month. On Joe Schoenmann's July 9 vegasinc.com story about city officials' growing concern about underage drinking and violence downtown ("Joe Downtown: Fremont Street executives say downtown Las Vegas is getting out of control"): As a freelance photographer, the Experience used to be a great place for a photo op or two depending on what the event was. Now, it's just a bunch of unruly, underage drunks with no security. — Mark Dunton (Xtlman) Fremont Street executives need to decide what Fremont Street should be. With zip lines and walkaway cocktails and booze sold by the can in liquor stores — and the type of musical acts being booked (head bangers attract a like crowd) — not to mention the casino gals tossing Mardi Gras beads and shaking their booties, the place has become a cross between Bourbon Street and a sleazy carnival. During our Vegas trip a few weeks ago, we walked the entire street (starting at around 11 p.m.). The whole while, we kept hoping there were plenty of undercover cops on the scene. — PegEntwistleDOA My concern is that all these underage punks are going to ruin it for the rest of us who like to walk downtown with a beer. Eventually they will cite anyone with an open container if this doesn't stop. — vinnyvegas I remember the days of driving up and down Fremont. Putting this lame light show up and blocking off the street is an eyesore. I personally liked it the old way. Now it's a pickpocket's heaven and an underage drinker's home. — Edward Riley Have stayed down there the last eight or nine years. Stayed again a few weeks ago, and the vibe has changed a lot. Way too loud, people who clearly aren't there to gamble but to get drunk and act obnoxious. Yeah, I'm old now, and leaving that scene is exactly why I quit staying on the Strip years ago. Going to try some of the bigger locals casinos in November. — Trisha MyVegas Stewart On Eli Segall's June 21 vegasinc.com story about the District opening up its pedestrian promenade to cars ("Goodbye, promenade: Work begins to transform the District's walking plaza into a road"): It will not simply be a road with cars racing by. We, too, were opposed to this road at the beginning, but once we went through the architectural renderings and had meetings with the landscape architect, we think this can be beneficial for the District. Since we opened in February 2010, we have seen eight businesses close, and only two open. This was not under the current owner, Vestar. Vestar, who in our opinion is a great landlord thus far, decided to change the way people can enter, exit and park in the District. The District, as of now, is a very seasonal shopping mall. Six months out of the year, Rachel's Kitchen wouldn't trade this place for anything. However, when you run a business, you have to pay bills, employees, rent and taxes 12 months out of the year. It is safe to say most of the businesses broke even or lost money in June, July, August, January and February. From what we have seen on plans and what we have been told, there will be more outdoor seating areas and more outdoor dining areas. Cars will be a safe distance away, separated by 4-foot and 6-foot planters that will surround the patio areas. The District will also have the ability to shut down the street during special events, even on most busy weekends if desired. — Rachel's Kitchen (rkthedistrict) I have frequented the District many, many times. I have seen the lack of customers and the businesses closing. I can only imagine how distressing this has been for the businesses within. I understand and appreciate the reasons for making this much-needed change. I will continue to shop at the District and hope more businesses will be opening there in the future. As pretty as the walk was with the trees and benches, I found myself feeling depressed every time I went there and saw only a fraction of the people there that I used to see, not to mention seeing closed businesses there. I say move forward and do everything you can to generate business. — KarenManning NEED SOME ADVICE? NEED SOME ADVICE? Taking business to a new level with innovative advertising and marketing solutions. Taking business to a new level with innovative advertising and marketing solutions. JEFF FARGO FRANCHOT HUTCHINSON ASK AN EXPERT. Account Executive ASK AN EXPERT. Account Manager 702.990.2553 jeff.fargo@gmgvegas.com 2 2 J U LY 2 0 1 3 20130722_VI19_F.indd 19 | franchot.hutchinson@gmgvegas.com Ask how your company can gain a competitive edge. | 702.990.2552 Ask how your company can gain a competitive edge. 19 7/18/13 2:12:33 PM