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DuckMan
Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 29
Location: Oregon
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stan_allen
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129
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 Posted: Sep Tue 30, 2008 2:13 pm Post subject: Fitzgerald's, we hardly knew ye |
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So it has come to this at last. The "Golden Phoenix", probably the most unfortunate title for a Reno casino to ever have held, set the stage for a supposedly-glorious revitalization, only to be followed by a dramatic crash-'n-burn. And now the Fitz must bite the same dust.
And here comes that tired old alternative, "Condo development" - excuse me, but the "Progress" of what was once the Sundowner, has been less than impressive. If there were sufficient demand, those things would have had actual residents by now.
It is sad to see more history get paved over, but the market just isn't there, and the Fitz wasn't able to accomplish whatever magic has allowed the others to crawl along. As LVBear found, their newly-acquired spasmodic-shuffling strategy at the Blackjack tables did not bode well for their ability to attract and retain playing patrons. For this, we can shed no tears; it's just a shame that their shallow business-plan tunnel vision means that the entire facility must now be buried forever.
All those chintzy prizes I collected from those free spins will look a little different now that they've become archaeological artifacts - in fact, I guess they'll need to be added to that historical display that the Fitz itself used to host on the skyway. |
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mommy2boys
Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Sep Tue 30, 2008 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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Wow, that is so sad. The last few times we have been in there, it just wasn't the same as it was in the past. I was hoping that the new owners would put some new energy into it but leave the feeling of the Fitz. I don't think Reno will feel the same, a lot of it's history is going away and I have only been gambling for 11 years (but I have been going to Reno since I was little) and I have seen too many casinos close.
Hopefully the will reopen it with a casino in it. I love to be able to walk to different casinos to get a change of pace and with the housing market the way it is, the LAST thing downtown Reno needs is more condos.
At least we will get to say goodbye to it one more time.
Erin  |
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lvbear584
Joined: 07 Jun 2006
Posts: 140
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| Posted: Sep Tue 30, 2008 3:00 pm Post subject: Incompetent ownership, terrible management |
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| stan_allen wrote: | | ... As LVBear found, their newly-acquired spasmodic-shuffling strategy at the Blackjack tables did not bode well for their ability to attract and retain playing patrons. For this, we can shed no tears; it's just a shame that their shallow business-plan tunnel vision means that the entire facility must now be buried forever. ... |
I wish I had been wrong on this, and the new ownership would have bankrupted it instead, so perhaps COMPETENT owners/managers could have been found for it. In a way, it is humorous for me because the Fitz and one other Reno-area casino were the only two that have never thrown me out. Now I'll never get tossed from the Fitz. I outlived it!
Condo development? Oh, please. Ugly eyesore vacant building is more like it. I am saddened by this, for Reno, those who enjoy Reno, and for the employees who will find it difficult to find jobs, especially in the dead of winter when the Fitz gasps its last breaths.
I predicted this back in June. I wish I had been wrong:
It's a shame that Siena and Fitzgeralds have so quickly deteriorated within a few months of each other. Soon after opening up the new "better" games, Fitzgeralds suffered a self-inflicted, probably-terminal case of shuffling disease. Fitz's now-horrible games are tied with Circus Circus as Reno's worst -- except for Harrah's, of course, which is in a class of its own when it comes to awful table games. The new Fitzgeralds owners who bought it out of bankruptcy will probably soon be putting it back into bankruptcy.
http://visitreno.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=755&highlight=casino+death
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Opinions and Commentary on the Gaming Industry: www.TheBearGrowls.com |
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CaSwede
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866
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| Posted: Sep Tue 30, 2008 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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475 out of a job less than a month before Christmas. Bah-Humbug. A Boutique Hotel? Hah!
Sadly I never got a slot card for my collection from the Fitz. |
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remano
Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717
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| Posted: Sep Tue 30, 2008 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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| CaSwede wrote: | 475 out of a job less than a month before Christmas. Bah-Humbug. A Boutique Hotel? Hah!
Sadly I never got a slot card for my collection from the Fitz. |
I've got plenty of extras. If you don't mind whose name is on it and just want to complete your collection, private message me your address and I'll send you one of mine. |
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alison
Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150
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RenoLady
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316
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| Posted: Oct Wed 01, 2008 9:19 am Post subject: |
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I wonder what happened to all their grandioso planning? During the bankruptsy years, when the trustees were handling the property, it made a profit. What kind of incompetence does it take to do worse than court appointed trustees?
This must have come as a surprise to most Fitz employees, including the marketing dept, as I just got an invite for a December tournament, yet they are closing in November.
We've got a stay planned for October 18th-20th. I'll ask around while we're there, though I have to admit to being a little nervous about staying there now. They never were really on top of maintenance issues, and if it can't be fixed with duct tape and spit, I don't see them fixing it..... |
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remano
Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717
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| Posted: Oct Wed 01, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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| RenoLady wrote: | I wonder what happened to all their grandioso planning? "
I'm hoping they still have them, and are closing down for a complete makeover rather than just a floor by floor refurbishing. I haven't gotten a close look inside the Montage but from what I can see from the street it looks like they're doing a first class job. I'm hoping the same style will carry over to the Fitz. After all, the owners control all the property on the south side of the train trench plaza. It would be a shame for that to go to waste.
" During the bankruptsy years, when the trustees were handling the property, it made a profit. What kind of incompetence does it take to do worse than court appointed trustees?"
True, but gaming revenues have been down at all Reno properties the last year or so. Last month was the 13th month in a row that income declined compared to the same month the previous year. The trustees may have had problems too.
" They never were really on top of maintenance issues, and if it can't be fixed with duct tape and spit, I don't see them fixing it..... |
Keep your fingers crossed. Every employee with any skills at all is already out looking for another job. Few will stick it out to the bitter end unless they have no other alternatives. |
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mommy2boys
Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 64
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| Posted: Oct Wed 01, 2008 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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| RenoLady wrote: | I wonder what happened to all their grandioso planning? During the bankruptsy years, when the trustees were handling the property, it made a profit. What kind of incompetence does it take to do worse than court appointed trustees?
This must have come as a surprise to most Fitz employees, including the marketing dept, as I just got an invite for a December tournament, yet they are closing in November.
We've got a stay planned for October 18th-20th. I'll ask around while we're there, though I have to admit to being a little nervous about staying there now. They never were really on top of maintenance issues, and if it can't be fixed with duct tape and spit, I don't see them fixing it..... |
I just got an offer for a slot tournament also. The higher ups must have know for awhile, they just didn't let the marketing dept. know.
So sad (even though I just asked if they had gotten any better and everyone said no) |
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JD
Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956
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| Posted: Oct Wed 01, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject: ANOTHER CONDO? |
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Look at the bright side...at least no one here bought into an overpriced condo at the TOP of the market in one of those do over casino rooms.
Well, except for the leftie Myrna at Reno and it's Discontents.
http://www.renodiscontent.com/
Likely she'll be asking everyone else to bail her out now. |
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stan_allen
Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129
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| Posted: Oct Wed 01, 2008 2:43 pm Post subject: Blog bogged by ideological logjam |
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Egads - this really isn't the place for a political analysis, but I sure hope Myrna takes a good look at the enabler-class over at Fannie and Freddie over the years.
"Reno's best blog"? That tells us far more about the pool of Reno blogs than it does about this particular one! |
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CaSwede
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866
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| Posted: Oct Wed 01, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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So the plan is to turn it into a "boutique hotel " without a casino? Well, I for one can hardly wait. Anyone know what a boutique hotel is?? I am sure the bookings are lining up already. I will wave to the pissed off Myrna (paid top price) as I head to my $1.99 breakfast special down the street.
I think this was the plan from day 1 when they bought the property. They strung along the employees to get as much cash out as they could until they pulled the disconect cord and left the employees hanging. Shame on the owners.  |
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hawk
Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 508
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| Posted: Oct Thu 02, 2008 8:34 am Post subject: Swede comment |
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I think the Siena also labels themselves a "boutique hotel".
IMO, they will be one of the next to go.
I predict the demise of Siena and Sands within next two years for BOTH.
Likely less for one of them.
I just hate losing my comps at each of these places. Can't get there to burn them up.
OK, just for you BCDave, I have updated my avatar. |
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john
Site Admin
Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181
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| Posted: Oct Thu 02, 2008 2:08 pm Post subject: Starship Troopers are coming...Die! Die! Die! |
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| Hawk, that new avatar really bugs me. |
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