Monte Carlo retail is diverse, from souvenirs to diamonds

Alison Calkins

Thursday, June 20, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Shopping will always be an option at the Monte Carlo -- 22,000 square feet of it.

Twelve Monte Carlo-owned shops will cover the gamut from Las Vegas souvenirs to $50,000 diamond rings. You can find newspapers from all over the world, eat homemade fudge and head out to read the papers with a bottle of your favorite wine.

The shops are stationed in three areas, with a cluster around the lobby elevator, along the Strip and along the resort's Street of Dreams.

"The Street of Dreams is highly thematic," said Bill Englow, corporate vice president of merchandising. "We're continuing the quality and ambiance of the entire property and it will have a very pleasant feeling."

Cobblestone streets, gas lights, handpainting, awnings over shop entrances, and antique fixtures -- including gargoyles stationed over the microbrewery -- create a classic French atmosphere.

The gateway to the Street of Dreams starts with Crown Jewels and Desserts! And at street's end -- a monorail to the soon-to-open Bellagio.

"We want the experience at Monte Carlo to be contiguous," he said, adding that the hotel-casino's retail area is 30 percent larger than most and all shops but the Bon Vivant are owned and operated by Monte Carlo.

"That's the trend in the industry -- for the company to operate the retail shops instead of leasing them out. And the price range is broad. Prices range from 99 cents to a $50,000 diamond and the quality of the product is going to be high at every price point," Englow said.

Right next door to the Lance Burton Theater is the Lance Burton Magic Shop. Convenient, because every night after Burton's second show, the magician will stop in the shop to talk magic with visitors and sign autographs.

In case somebody's having trouble selecting their girl's best friend at Crown Jewels, there's a diamond consultant on staff. The Monte Carlo even has its own fragrance which will be sold at the Monte Carlo Boutique.

There's going to be a party too, during the grand opening weekend, Friday and Saturday.

Englow said entertainment, free samples and introductory offers will be happening in all the shops. For example, the Hypermarket will be having a fresh juice party and Desserts! will be handing out free fudge samples.

The Hawaiian Tropic Girls will be giving away free suntan lotion samples at the Beach Club Shoppe, and the new fragrance will be introduced at the Monte Carlo Boutique with free samples.

Seasons is the only shop that won't get started on opening day.