Visitreno

lvbear584 · Joined: 07 Jun 2006 Posts: 140

I'm sorry to report that on a recent trip, Reno was about as dead as can be. The Peppermill parking garage was almost empty on the fifth floor, and completely empty on sixth floor. The JA Nugget garage was empty above the third floor. At 7 PM on a recent weekday evening, there was not even one open blackjack table at JA Nugget.

Harrah's entire East tower was shut down during the week. It "might be open" on weekends. Harrah's buffet and the Diamond Lounge are now closed Monday through Thursday.

I was tempted to take a final walk through the Silver Club and sneer, but resisted the urge. It will close without my kicking it when it's down and gasping its last breath.

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Opinions and Commentary on the Gaming Industry: www.TheBearGrowls.com

mustangmike · Joined: 21 Dec 2005 Posts: 76

I don't understand Reno's casino marketing mentallity. Business is down, but they don't seem to be using lower room rates to attract customer. It seems like a no brainer that if you get people in the door, they are likely to gamble and eat at where they stay. There just doesn't seem to be much reason to drive 5 hours to Reno, risking the winter roads, while spend money for gas and hotel, when can go to one of 5 indian casino all within 50 minutes of my house.

hawk · Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 508

Just received my latest Pep offer for future months. Two nights (normal) but they cut my free play.
But, if they really want me there, they need to send a car and driver, preferably a stretch limo with all the amenities.
Amenities, you ask? Can you say, "dancing ladies beneath the bubble top?"

spinner · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 62

The sad part of Reno is many of us can remember when it "Rocked". I think it all started when Harrah's bought and tore down Harold's and Nevada Club. The jinx was put on the entire downtown due to that.

evandors · Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 37

So sad to see the decline of what once my favorite place in the world. I do not want to come back again because I know the Fitz being closed will just make me sad. So many memories of fun times at Sundowner, River Boat, Comstock, etc.

RenoLady · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 316

We lived in Reno during the closing of Harold's and the Nevada Club. My husband was a relief bartender for those two (and Fitz's). They were pretty dead there at the end.

I worked for Atlantis (later Peppermill) and working downtown was pretty depressing during the early/mid nineties. Everyone wanted a "locals" place to survive the California recession. We all survived it; Silver Legacy was built, and downtown was revived.

How long will this one last? Longer, I'm sure. It's not just California this time. Will Reno still be "The Biggest Little City?", I hope so. With the continued revitalization of downtown (sports park, plaza, condos), we may come back yet.

Dave · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 212

Ok Obviously if you are reading this you must like Reno. As nuts as it may sound to people Reno will always be a special place to me. That will never change! I have SO many great memories there! Will it ever be the same? I am sure it won't. HOWEVER I am sure as heck not giving up on it. When I do come back to the good old USA I will continue to head down to one of my all time favorite vacation spots and let loose once again 2-3 times a year.
Doom and Gloom? I suppose a person could look at it that way but there is still plenty of great reasons to go back. I tell you this as long as Reno has a Casino, I'll be there. (OK I would prefer a few Casinos to choose from but you get my point!) Oh and by the way I am still planning on meeting up and having a beer with my pals John, Jerry and Remano. Someday! Heck a beer in a Casino at Reno with any of you sounds good to me!
I may be the eternal optimist but times are tough and I'd still take Reno over Vegas or any of those other darn Indian Casinos. Hope you do the same.
Happy New Year to all of you! Very Happy

jerry · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 759

OOPS, got my twung tisted in the busject line.

Dave, great to hear from you. Glad that you are into an exciting new chapter in your life. Would love to be there with you having one of those famous beers from there: Tsingtao!!! (Well, anyway, the first part of the name sounds like Sing - apore.)

When you return, just swing by my place in So OR and pick me up on the way to Reno. Would love to have a few brews together -- Though I can't come close to keeping up with HOST John, I am willing to give it "a good effort".

Looking forward to your return to the "States".
Stay safe, happy, and enjoy life. Hawk gave you good advice. AND, he is indeed a very OLD sage. Even smells a bit like sagebrush in enclosed spaces like those booths at the Far Side Lunge. But it doesn't seem to bother the barmaids there. I don't know what they see in the guy. Rolling Eyes

(Where's the Jealousy icon?)

TahoeMike · Joined: 28 Sep 2008 Posts: 9

Like all on this site, I want the city to thrive. Since I have both been a visitor and a resident, I do not want Reno to become dust in the wind. I am sure that this is only just a bad down period as it is with many other areas, and that Reno will become prosperous again in its own way.

llkraus · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Tyler, TX

Just curious: Do they still turn on the lights on Virginia Street for the Fitz? If so, that certainly changes the way night pictures of the arch looks.

llk
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Larry L. Kraus
Tyler, TX

Dave · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 212

Good question Larry. You can take a look at the live picture here. I know I am a loser but I love to check up on the Arch!

http://www.cityofreno.com/Index.aspx?page=1591

llkraus · Joined: 28 Dec 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Tyler, TX

Thanks, Dave. I couldn't see for sure because of the angle, but it looks like the Fitz lights are off.

llk
_________________
Larry L. Kraus
Tyler, TX

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265

My Pepp offers have actually gotten better, as well they should after the ass beating I took in August.

I do have this question though...

Do you think Reno could survive without gaming?

hawk · Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 508

Fitz lites have been dark each time I checked. Not even a "closed" sign on the marquee which seemed strange.
Kinda dark/depressing/maybe even foreboding around the arch now IMO.

Sad!!!
What a change in this corner in 10 years (or whatever).

john · Site Admin Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 1181

John Evanoff sent me a new article for his section on visitreno.com. It provides the history of gambling in Reno, and a possible explanation of the current state of affairs. Very interesting.

http://visitreno.com/evanoff