What Is the History of Main Street Station?

Main Street Station is STILL closed. 15 months after the shutdown. Is it in danger of never reopening? Or would it be sold first? When was the last time this place changed hands?

We covered Main Street Station's reopening and sales-possibility questions in a QoD last month. We split this one off from the others, since it gives us the opportunity to review the interesting history of this property.

What's now Main Street Station was built as the Holiday International Hotel & Casino and opened in 1978. The casino was operated by Major Riddle, a familiar name to Vegas history buffs; that went bankrupt and closed in 1980. The hotel operated as a Holiday Inn through 1984, when a strike by hotel workers closed it for three years.

Then it became The Park, owned by a Japanese investor (at a time when Japanese investors also owned the Aladdin and the Dunes on the Strip). That name and ownership lasted a couple of more years.

In 1986, entrepreneur Bob Snow bought it, hoping to recreate the successful formula of his Church Street Station mall in Orlando, Florida. He named it Main Street Station.

The hotel was redone in a Barbary Coast style that Frommer’s described as "early-20th-century San Francisco. However, unlike everywhere else, the details here are outstanding, resulting in a beautiful hotel by any measure. Outside, gas lamps flicker on wrought-iron railings and stained-glass windows. Inside, you’ll find hammered-tin ceilings, ornate chandeliers, period antiques and artwork, and lazy ceiling fans. It’s all very appealing and just plain pretty."

Main Street Station was, however, located too far from Fremont Street and Snow’s fortunes withered accordingly. The property closed in 1992.

Boyd Gaming purchased it out of bankruptcy the following year for $16+ million. Boyd added a pedestrian bridge to the California Hotel and, from 1994 through 1996, used Main Street Station as an overflow hotel when business was good (but kept the casino floor closed), officially reopening it in its present form in late ’96.

Although Main Street Station struggled as a standalone hotel-casino, it flourished under the Boyd umbrella, thanks in large part to the excellent bargain buffet, Triple 7 Microbrewery, and faithful Hawaiian market, until the shutdown last year. As we wrote in last month's QoD, Boyd would like to reopen MSS as soon as Hawaiians start creating enough demand to do so, sometime in the second half of the year, according to company projections.

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Comments

Jackie Jun-28-2021

Bob Snow's MSS

I really liked the decor and played there often.  Hated to see it changed as much as it's downfall due to greedy unions.

rokgpsman Jun-28-2021

Missing the Main St Station

Main St Station was a favorite destination for us, it being off of Fremont St was actually a plus to me because that reduced the noise and other nuisances like the crazies that are on Fremont St late at night. We stayed there often and even when we were at another hotel we went there to play because of the friendly employees, clean rooms at a nice price, dining choices that weren't overpriced. Adding the 2nd floor walkway from The California was a brilliant idea by Boyd that made going back and forth to the Cal and Fremont St so easy. Hope it gets reopened soon.

VegasVic Jun-28-2021

Jackie

You're a one trick pony, give it a rest

Edso Jun-28-2021

Love MSS

I really love the Main Street Station and prefer it to the California.  We didn't even venture down to Fremont St. on last trip because it wasn't open.  I'll also take my initial venture into Circa once MSS opens back up.

Mark Hancock Jun-28-2021

Boyd statements vs Boyd inaction

I know that Boyd has said that it will reopen but their actions imply something different. First Hawaii is about to reopen fully. But where are the promotions, news, etc. of an MSS reopening weekend, be it in July or August? None. However in a recent call with analysts Boyd said that MSS customers had been successfully migrated to other properties. So it's not totally a "Hawaii reopen" issue. I don't think they have plans to ever reopen and the property is likely for sale.

Diamonddog2801 Jun-28-2021

Not correct

Sorry - your timeline is incorrect. I stayed at The Park in September 1989 - my first ever visit to the USA (let alone Las Vegas). I believe it changed its name/ownership (from The Park to Main Street Station) in 1990.

VegasVic Jun-28-2021

MSS

I stayed there 2-3 times and really enjoyed it.  They had a brewpub before it became a "thing".  Nice rooms, great property.  I don't stay downtown (or on the strip) anymore but if I were to stay downtown again I'd stay at MSS, assuming it reopens.

steve crouse Jun-28-2021

Home

MSS is home, even when we stay elsewhere due to pricing/ availability.
I like the atmosphere, and the Hawaiian people are so laid back and courteous.
Rarely will you hear screaming, cussing, fighting, or any other detraction.
Good food at both places, good 2 deck BJ, dam good beer.
What's not to like.
Hope it opens soon.

Jose Gamez Jun-28-2021

Fresh Brews

Had a great meal with two of my sons two years ago celebrating their work anniversaries. I had two of their in-house brews and really enjoyed them.

[email protected] Jan-09-2022

Main St. Station Reopening

Since MSS reopened, I visited it with some interest. I found it to be very different than it was prior to the pandemic closing but in a positive way. Employees seem to be very happy to be back at work and you can tell. Very different crowd. Prior experiences were that it seemed to be a very senior senior crowd. Nothing against my elders, always respect but now there is a much younger crowd that frequents and I feel more at home now. I really like this and rate it among the best overall. I really think MSS is more enjoyable than the Cal. More elbow room is just the beginning. A must visit when you want a more relaxed experience. We all know where to go when we're more feisty lol GL one and all.

Question of the Day - 28 June 2021

Comments