Question of the Day - 21 October 2005

Although gambling is obviously Las Vegas’ primary industry, it’s certainly not the only one. If you fancy an inexpensive break from all the bright lights and bustle of the Strip, a number of options -- in terms of free factory tours -- give you an insight into some of the other enterprises that call this city home.

• Ethel M Chocolate Factory & Botanical Cactus Gardens: Located approximately 15 minutes from the Strip at Two Cactus Gardens Drive, Henderson, this is probably the best known of Las Vegas’ free factory tours. The business was founded by Forrest Mars Sr. (son of Frank, establisher of the famous name and creator of the Milky Way), who launched this line of gourmet chocolates, named for his mother Ethel, after he "retired" from the family business.

  Open daily from 8:30 am-7 pm, the free self-guided tour includes video demonstrations and a chance to see live behind-the-scenes glimpses of the whole candy-making process, culminating in a visit to the Chocolate Shoppe, where you get a free sample and a chance to purchase all your favorite flavors. After the tour, you can work off some of the calories by taking a stroll around the three-acre botanical gardens, which feature one of the largest collections of cacti in the U.S. There’s also a chance to visit the "Living Machine," a revolutionary wastewater-treatment system that recycles the factory’s water in an ecologically friendly fashion, using bacteria, algae, protozoa, fish, and snails.

  Directions: From the Strip, take Tropicana Avenue to Mountain Vista Avenue, where you take a right (south). Take Mountain Vista until you reach the intersection with Sunset Road, then turn left (east). Follow the signs to Ethel M. 702/433-2500

  For further information visit the Web site at www.ethelm.com. Guided tours for groups of 10 or more are available by request.

• National Vitamin Co.: This free self-guided tour takes you around these state-of-the-art premises and includes a history of vitamin manufacturing from past to present, plus free samples of vitamins and skin-care products. The tour lasts approximately 15 minutes and ends at the retail shops, where you can purchase vitamins, herbals, botanicals, skin and hair products, smoothies, and snacks.

  Hours are 7 am-4 pm Monday through Saturday, and the factory is located at 7440 S. Industrial Rd., Suite 210. For further information, call 888/364-6848.

• Coffee Roasters of Las Vegas: Master Coffee Roaster and owner, Rich Serpe, was seduced by the world of coffee during a trip to Italy with his grandfather over 30 years ago. Since then he has not only established a renowned roastery in Las Vegas, but has helped set up scores of roasteries and coffee shops all over the country. Today they produce over 45 different coffees, 40+ flavors, and over 40 hand-blended loose leaf teas on the premises and have a policy of welcoming new and old customers alike as members of the family. Anyone is welcome to go along during business hours to witness the whole process of roasting, flavoring, blending, and packaging and to check out the retail area which, in addition to the huge range of coffees and teas, also features chais, syrups, cocoas, biscotti, scone mixes, T-shirts, mugs, coffee and tea-making equipment, gift baskets, and bags and purses fabricated from recycled coffee bags.

  Hours of operation are 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday and 11:00 am – 3:00 pm Saturday. Small groups are charged $1 per head (a contribution towards the coffee/tea and cookies you’re served) for an informal tour of the roastery, while for groups of about 10 or more, more formal organized tours are available at a cost of $4 per person.

  Directions: Coffee Roasters of Las Vegas is located at 6672 Boulder Highway, Ste. 6, between Russell and Gibson, behind the Rumrunner and DKRV vehicle sales. Take the 95 to Russell and make a left onto Boulder highway (after 3 sets of lights). It’s about a mile further on the right hand side – look out for the Joker’s Wild BBQ billboard and you’ll find the roastery situated underneath it. For further information call 702/435-9338.

• Don Pablo Cigar Company: Although the business has contracted from two premises to one in recent years, members of the public are still welcome to come along for free and have the whole fabricating process explained and see the genuine Cuban rollers at work from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Saturday and 10:00 am – 4:00 pm on Sundays. The workshop and retail outlet is located at 3049 Las Vegas Blvd. and you can purchase single cigars priced from $2.50 - $7.95 or boxes that range from $80 up to $175. For further information call (702) 369-1818.

• Anderson Dairy Tour The free "Barnyard Buddies" tour uses animatronic cows and entertaining videos to give visitors a chance to learn about the day-to-day operations of the first business to sell milk commercially in Clark County and which has been serving Las Vegas residents for a century. After your tour of the facility, where you’ll learn about the rich history of the dairy making process, you’ll be rewarded with a free sample of ice cream. The tour, which is available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, takes approximately one hour and is ideally suited for children 2 years of age through fifth grade.

  Location: The Anderson Dairy is situated at 801 Searles Avenue, located to the right when heading north on N. Las Vegas Blvd., between Washington Ave. and Foremaster Lane. For further information call 702/642-7507 ext. 264.