ZZZ - GMG - VEGAS INC 2011-2014

In business retail utilities Texas-based clothing store enters market Southwest Gas reports slight quarterly loss By Tovin Lapan staff writer Melrose Family Fashions, which made its entry into the Southern Nevada market this year, isn't just sticking its toe in the water. The Texas-based clothing store is doing a cannonball into the Las Vegas Valley with more stores on the way. Geared toward the Hispanic market, Melrose opened its first store in the area Oct. 25 at 2335 E. Lake Mead Blvd. The North Las Vegas launch included a ribbon-cutting and a raffle for a shopping spree. In a reflection of how bullish the company is about the market, Melrose representatives opened a second store in late November, and hinted at the possibly of more down the road. "Opening stores in Nevada was a business decision based on consumer demand," said T.J. Flowers, president of Melrose Family Fashions. "As we have opened stores in Arizona, New Mexico and California, consumers from Nevada shopping our stores would ask, 'When are you opening a store in my state?' It seemed a natural progression to open stores in Las Vegas." Melrose opened its second store in Southern Nevada, 4600 Meadows Lane in the Loma Vista Shopping Center, on Nov. 22. Southern Nevada is home to one of the fastest-growing Hispanic markets in the country over the past 13 years, according to Nielsen. By Eli Segall staff writer Courtesy of Melrose Family Fashion Melrose Family Fashions is owned by United Fashion of Texas, which was founded in 1976 in McAllen, Texas, and since 1991 has operated out of San Antonio. The chain has more than 100 stores in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California and now Nevada. Melrose specializes in nonbranded clothing that emulates major fashion brands. The store carries clothes, shoes and accessories for all ages, genders and sizes. The two Las Vegas Valley stores employ a total of 45 people, according to Melrose spokeswoman Genevieve Valdes. Las Vegas-based Southwest Gas, which provides natural-gas service to 1.9 million customers in Nevada, Arizona and California, reported third-quarter revenue up 4 percent from the third quarter of 2012 but a loss in earnings. The company took an earnings hit of $2.9 million (down 33 percent from a loss of $4.3 million in the third quarter of 2012). The shaved loss was attributed to increased earnings by the company's pipeline construction services unit, NPL Construction Co. Shareholders lost 6 cents per share (down 33 percent from a loss of 9 cents per share in third quarter of 2012). "In early October, the company completed a $250 million debt offering at less than a 5 percent interest rate," said Jeffrey W. Shaw, president and CEO. "This is one of the lowest 30-year debt financing rates in our history and will benefit customers for decades to come." Vegas Inc named "Best Overall Publication" in its category by the Nevada Press Association 2013. | 2 DECEMBER 2013 20131202_VI11_F.indd 11 | 11 11/27/13 12:44:18 PM

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