Sahara to re-open?

Maybe the Sahara's not going to be closed after all, at least not for long? Ted Newkirk, the guy who writes this newsletter, has a compelling conclusion on the topic in his blog:

SaharaToRe-Open?

He makes some interesting and valid points. I don't know if it will come true or not. A lot of places have talked about being able to do something and it fall through. This has especially been true during the recession. A lot of older hotels/casinos were tore down in the early and mid 2000's for the next "BIG" thing, and a lot of those places have been put on hold. It's a shame a lot of those old places shut down and were tore down for as of right now nothing new at all. I hope Sahara does reopen, but I have my doubts.

They haven't even closed yet and already rumors that they will reopen.

Goes to show that if you take the time to think for a minute, you can probably rationalize any concept.

First he talks like Vegas has turned the corner and manna is about to drop from the heavens. I'm not sure who he's been talking to, but they don't write any of the articles I've read lately. The idea of closing to avoid summer costs is absurd. Whatever you save during the summer, you're gonna blow on startup costs. You don't just flip the switch off in May and back on in September.

I've received Mr. Newkirk's newsletter by e-mail for about two-three years and most times don't read it because most of the info had already been seen in other publications. The only idea that made sense to me was that Nazarian might already have a comeplete renovation in the works. Once again though, the dollars comeinto play. That's a big loan at a time when nobody wants to give loans to LV companies.

I also had to chuckle at his reference to Stations and their plans. Duh, they just dumped about 60-65% of their debt. They might have a few extra sheckels around to use.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

As much as I love classic Vegas; I have not been in the Sahara for at least 10 years. I bet a lot of us haven't been there either.

On the plus side someone can probably get it real cheap & have much of the debt written down. They would also have to have access to cash to refurbish the place

I still go there every trip. I don't see anyone who would want to buy it after it closes and either refurbish the place or build something new there. Look at Echelon and Fontainebleau. Both of those places are on hold for who knows how long after trying to build something new where place once stood. Those lots were also in better locations. If Sahara does stay closed I don't see anything happening to the land for quite awhile.

what, exactly used to be where Fountainbleau stands unfinished now?

El Rancho? It was next to Sahara and across from Circus Circus. Is that where Fountainbleu is?

not all that familiar with North Strip, but has that been gone for a really long time I didn't think they tore another casio down to make way for Fountainbleu

Maybe Fountainbleu is where the Wet and Wild water park used to be?