Hooters Casino Hotel Gives A Hoot About Las Vegas Locals
The property located at 115 East Tropicana may seem little in comparison, as it sits in the shadows across the street from the mammoth MGM Grand and next door to The Tropicana; but this small property is hooting loud to local Las Vegas residents!
Over the 43 year history of this property, it has seen many different names on the marquis, as well as numerous visits to bankruptcy court. The property was built for $8 million and originally opened in 1973 as a Howard Johnson’s Hotel. Between 1975 and 1989, it went through many incarnations as: Paradise, Treasury, Pacifica, and Polynesian. In 1989, it was re-branded as the San Remo, which lasted until 2006.
In 2006, we saw the famous orange Hooters marquis be erected; thus giving their famous chicken wings a permanent location just east of the corner at Tropicana and Las Vegas Boulevard. In May of 2015, the property was sold again for $53.8 million to Trinity Hotel Investors from New York; with the intention of re-branding the property into a Holiday Inn. However, after many months of research and input from their new management company, it was decided to re-negotiate a ‘franchise type’ agreement with Hooters America and maintain the Hooters Casino Hotel name.
The property is currently undergoing a $20 million renovation, with each of the 657 rooms being upgraded, as well as the pool area and casino. Hooters Restaurant will stay on property and watch for a special announcement in the next couple months of a famous restaurant from the Midwest making its Las Vegas debut. A new second floor showroom is being built for local entertainers Jarrett & Raja’s Magic and Music Dinner Show to open in March 2017.
Local Las Vegas residents are furious lately with the two major ‘corporate casino conglomerates’ changing the history of Las Vegas by now charging for parking and mandatory outrageous valet fees. Locals from all across the valley are vowing to boycott ‘strip casinos’ and take their business to the off-strip casinos. Hooters wants all locals to know that they are NOT going to charge for parking and valet will continue with the customary tipping service.
Hooters Casino Hotel Vice President and General Manager Mike Storm wants all locals to consider his property as the ‘Locals Strip Casino’ (since they are just a few hundred feet east of Las Vegas Boulevard)! In order to solidify Hooters in the local culture of Las Vegas, Mr. Storm donated his entire marketing budget for the month of August 2016 to nine non-profit organizations; along with many hours of employees volunteering their time. The program was so meaningful for both employees and the charities that it lasted well into the month of December 2016.
Port Hope Films documented the results of all nine charity encounters in a 10 part video web documentary found on YouTube. Here is the link to Episode One: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FV9gOTg6znA
Mr. Storm vows much more interaction between Hooters Hotel Casino and local charities. He invites all locals to visit his property and experience the Hooters difference; while making Hooters your ‘locals strip home’ reminiscent of Old Vegas style boutique service and value!
(February 3, 2017 – Ken Owens @ CallbackNews.com)
