Question of the Day - 21 December 2025

Sure! And interestingly, we've never answered a question about the Markins before. 

The little old shopping center behind the Flamingo that hosts Battista's Hole in the Wall and the Stage Door casino-bar dates back to the early 1960s, only a few years after Ron Markin moved to Las Vegas from Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 30 in 1958. His first job was as a clerk in the gift shop at the Fremont downtown. From there, he opened two high-end clothing boutiques — “Ron Markin Men’s Wear” and “Ron Markin Ladies' Wear” at the Tropicana, both of which catered to celebrities, including Elvis, and prominent Vegas figures.

In 1970, Battista Locatelli opened Battista's in the same shopping center.

Ron also owned the Bali Hai Motel on Desert Inn Road. As the story goes, he enticed Howard Hughes to cash him out of the motel at a nice profit simply by putting up a sign in front: "Future Home of High-Rise Condominiums.” He faced the sign toward the Desert Inn where Hughes was living at the time on the ninth floor, which did the trick; Hughes apparently didn't relish future high-rise residents peering into his suite. Within 24 hours, Hughes bought the Bali Hai for cash and gave the Markins exactly three hours to vacate. 

In 1976, Markin opened the Stage Door bar, plus a convenience/liquor store, in the shopping center across Flamingo Road from the stage door (get it?) at the original MGM Grand, as a lounge where performers and guests could run over to relax and drink in privacy. Reportedly, Frank Sinatra liked to visit after his performances. 

In 1978, the Locatelli family bought the entire shopping center and gave the Markins a long-term lease. In 2005, the Locatellis sold the shopping center to Caesars Entertainment, which was intending to tear the whole thing down to make room for a big new pipe dream on the east side of the Strip that never saw the light of day. The Stage Door's lease remained intact. 

After Ron died in 2017 at the age of 89, his wife Tanya and his son Randy, who turns 71 early next month, continued to run the Stage Door. 

In 2023, Randy Markin acquired the shopping center from Caesars, uniting the entire operation again under the Markin family umbrella. They've operated the restaurant, the liquor store, and the Stage Door ever since. 

Finally, as we all know, Battista's and the Stage Door closed abruptly last summer, announcing an imminent reopening "within a few weeks." Month after month dragged on until the businesses reopened just in time for F1 in mid-November. We, and many other Vegas veterans, were happy to see them survive and return intact. Together, they represent a family dynasty keeping a piece of authentic and  affordable Las Vegas alive amidst the Strip's massive developments.