One of the last casinos in Las Vegas to remain closed, Main Street Station, will reopen in a few weeks. Unfortunately, the Boyd Gaming property has been closed since last March. The grand reopening of the downtown Las Vegas casino will be Wednesday, Sept. 8, at 6 am. Main Street Station will stay open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“We’re extremely happy to reopen of Main Street Station, said Boyd’s executive vice president of operations, Steve Thompson. “We extend a warm welcome to our returning guests and team members who’ve been eagerly awaiting the reopening.”
24/7 Action at Main Street Station
Once reopened, Main Street’s Triple 7 restaurant will be open to diners Thursday through Monday, from 5 pm to midnight. Also, the Garden Court buffet will open every day for brunch from 8 am to 2 pm. Garden Court will also serve dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 9 pm.
Boyd Gaming Takes a Cautious Approach to Reopen
Main Street and other Boyd properties have remained shuttered since the governor ordered casinos to shut down, in response to COVID-19 last March. Despite casino operators being given the OK to reopen in June, Boyd Gaming decided to leave two properties, Main Street and Eastside Cannery, closed.
However, last month, Boyd executives indicated that they were planning to possibly reopen Main Street. Now, that plan has become a reality.
“The future for Main Street depends on downtown business as well as the Hawaiian tourists returning,” said Keith Smith, Boyd President, and CEO.
However, along with Eastside Cannery, four Boyd-operated Station Casinos remain closed; Texas Station, Fiesta Rancho, the Palms, and the Fiesta in Henderson.
In April, Red Rock Resorts, Station’s parent company, agreed to sell the Palms to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The San Bernadino-based tribe could take possession of the hotel/casino sometime early next year.
However, company leadership has remained silent on when, or if, the three remaining properties will reopen.
The Durango Project
While three Station Casinos in Las Vegas remain shuttered, the company is moving forward with a new project in the southwest valley.
The Durango will include more than 100,000 square feet of gaming; the gaming floor would include over 2,000 slot machines and 40 gaming tables. Also, there are plans for at least 200 hotel rooms, four food and drink vendors, and a sportsbook.
While the executives at Station Casinos look forward to the Durango, CEO Frank Fertitta says the fate of the Fiesta Henderson, Texas Station or the Fiesta Rancho is still up in the air.
Red Rock Resorts Still Hurting from the Lockdown
Red Rock Resorts reported net revenue of a little over $428 million for its second-quarter results. That represents 11% less compared to Q2 2019.
Before taxes and other adjustments, Q2 2021 earnings were just over $210 million. That’s more than the $115 million in before-tax earnings reported in Q2 2019.
Until the gaming company’s income is stabilized, executives will continue to evaluate the closed properties for reopening. As of now, there are no plans to reopen the closed casinos.
More Positive News for Downtown Las Vegas
The return of Main Street Station is not the only good thing happening downtown; revitalization is underway for the huge mixed-use complex at 201 Las Vegas Boulevard S. The former post office facility has been gutted to the core, with plans to fill the building with restaurants.
The nearly 44,000-square-foot building also has an attached parking garage with over 200 spaces and more than 9,000-square feet of rooftop for a restaurant or bar. Also, the building can lease office space on the second and third floors.
Local developer, J Dapper, plans to make the stretch from Seventh Street and Carson Avenue to Las Vegas Boulevard a dining destination. The new project will extend the already designated Carson Ave Restaurant Row.
The first eatery to sign on, The Broken Yolk Cafe. The California-based chain will take up nearly 5,000 square feet of prime corner space, as well as a large dining patio.
Tentatively, Taco Reforma, Baguette Café, Pachinko Pub, and FukuBurger are also looking at renting space.
Also, the Downtown Grand Hotel and Casino has newly remodeled its hotel rooms and suites, for an authentic Las Vegas experience. The urban resort not only offers several dining options but also has the biggest pool deck downtown.
With the reopened Main Street Station, the remodeled Downtown Grand Hotel, and restaurant row, downtown Las Vegas has sprung back to life. It’s certainly a walkable alternative to The Strip.
