ZZZ - GMG - VEGAS INC 2011-2014

VEGAS INC C OV E R STO RY BUSINESSES BRING UNIQUE ITEMS DOWNTOWN W By Joe Schoenmann a l k i n g through the 200seat Inspire Theater at the corner of Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard, Tony Hsieh said the goal of the Downtown Project, which owns the building, is to always be "first, best or unique." At the time, he was talking to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan, referring to the talks that will premier in the theater. Hsieh aims to make them better than the well-known TED talks. But in terms of uniqueness, he might just as likely have been talking about downtown Container Park, which opened in November with a design and store selection that's very different from everything around it. It features a fire-shooting, metallic-green praying mantis at the gate, a barbershop in a caboose and a giant dome still to be used. Its structure is made from a mixture of manufactured cubes and shipping containers. And although we're still waiting for the indoor ski hill and bar-in-an-elevator-car Hsieh mentioned a few years ago, there certainly are rarities coming to East Fremont Street. Nutrient-detecting hand-scanner at the juicery Contractors are working feverishly to complete the Downtown Project's next venture: renovating and repurposing the former John E. Carson Hotel at 124 S. 6th St. We know a few of the stores planned to move into the space, which will include offices, shops, bars and eateries. But one of the most unique features may be a juice bar. Local vegan food chef Shane Stuart won a competition to become the "Juicer to Downtown" with his delicious juices. But Stuart, with Nicole Hester, is adding a piece to his business to make it even more enticing to the health-minded. Stuart said his store will employ a Zyto, | 6 JANUARY 2014 20140106_VI01_F.indd 15 | INNOVATION ROW: Downtown's East Fremont Street district is leading the way in offering unique products and businesses to customers. a hand scanner that purports to be able to determine what nutrients a person lacks. "Using the body's natural energetic field, a communication link is established between the patient and the computer," Zyto's website claims. "Through this connection, Zyto sends stimuli and then records the body's response. This conversation is called biocommunication, and it provides insights into health and wellness." Stuart said a customer can get a scan and, depending on the results, order a drink to include the items the scan says his body needs. He suggests ordering the same drink for a month, then doing the scan again to register any changes. The building is tentatively scheduled to open Feb. 1. Espresso Book Machine Have a book you've always wanted published? You're in luck. When it opens, Inspire Theater plans to have one of a handful of Espresso Book Machines, which publishes a book as you wait. Just over 30 of the machines exist in the country, many of them in libraries and bookstores. That means Las Vegas soon will have an item you also can find in the Harvard Book Store. The machines will be able to publish paperback books from publishers with which the company has partnered. Or, if you bring in a PDF file that contains a novel and cover design, it will print out your own creation. Largest private magazine newsstand in the Southwest Inspire Theater also will be home to what owners say will be the largest magazine newsstand in the Southwest SAM MORRIS and maybe in the country. Jennifer Cornthwaite, a partner with her husband, Michael Cornthwaite, who is opening the theater, said the two sent emails to several hundred people asking for suggestions for titles, many of which have been added to their list of inventory. "We started getting back publications that I've never even heard of before from old artist friends who don't live here anymore," Jennifer Cornthwaite said. "We may be not be the largest when we open, but the goal is to add to it so we are the most comprehensive in the country, aside from a library." Among the hard-to-find magazines will be October, an art criticism journal, as well as Aperture, The Art of Eating, Atomic Ranch, McSweeney's, Book Forum, Cherry Bombe, Lucky Peach, Gluten-Free Living, Hip Mama, Make, Modern Farmer and Urban Farm. 15 1/2/14 1:22:58 PM

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