Retail shops will ‘play’ to locals, tourists

Bob Shemeligian

Friday, Feb. 7, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

If Rio Rita had a little sister, her name would be Retail Rita. And she'd wear a Mardi Gras costume as she shopped at Masquerade Village.

The nearly two dozen avant-garde retail shops comprise 60,000 square feet on two levels of the Rio's $200 million addition, which opens to the public at 11 p.m. today.

Outside the stores, shoppers will feast their eyes on acrobatic, costumed performers seemingly dancing in mid-air while suspended from fantasy floats.

But most shoppers probably will pay only so much attention to the Village's "Masquerade Show in the Sky."

Because there's so much else to see inside the shops.

"The whole point of integrating the retail with the entertainment is to provide the customer with the complete experience, which includes retail, entertainment, gaming, great food and a tremendous wine cellar," said Thomas Roberts, Rio's vice president of retail development.

Patterned after a northern Italian village, the designers of Masquerade Village invite shoppers to stroll along floors made of imported Italian marble and sandstone in a festive atmosphere.

Among the wares on display in the various retail shops are fine jewelry, distinctive and unusual eyewear, high-end watches and accessories and even jackets that fold up into bags.

The specialty jackets and other unique merchandise, such as water-resistant surf-runner radios, are carried by Speedo Authentic Fitness, the state's first outlet of the popular fitness wear outlet.

Speedo, which has been unfairly tagged with the reputation as the company that makes those skimpy bikinis that ugly, hairy European men wear at the beach, carries a full line of fitness wear.

"We should do well here," said district manager Susan Reynolds, who explained that Speedo carries a full line of colorful athletic wear for men and women including racing swimwear, water shorts, T-shirts, goggles and a variety of accessories.

For those who prefer a more sedentary enjoyment, there's Reel Outfitter, a full-line Orvis dealer that specializes in fly-fishing gear.

"I think there will be a huge demand for our fishing gear," said manager Sandi Malcolm. "Lake Mead is here. Utah is three hours away, and we're only five hours from Glen Canyon in Arizona, which has some of the best fishing in this part of the country."

Reel Outfitter has 2,800 square feet of floor space, and carries a full line of hand-tied flies and other types of lures as well as spinning and casting rods, hunting equipment and a full line of men's and women's travel clothing.

For many sportsmen and sportswomen, no tackle box is complete unless it contains at least one or two fine cigars.

Copavana Cigars, owned by local businessmen Gary, Robert and Michael Frey, and featuring a wide selection of hand-rolled cigars and high-end cigarettes as well as stylish humidors and unique cutters and lighters.

And just in case the fish aren't biting, there is Napa Valley Gourmet, offering a wide selection of gourmet products that the home chef needs to create his or her own culinary masterpiece.

Several store managers of clothing outlets say they expect strong sales in Las Vegas -- a place where vacationers like to wear sporty, casual and comfortable clothing.

"Las Vegas is exciting. I think we will do very well here," said Diane Fuentes, manager of Nicole Miller, which features a complete collection of the designer's upscale apparel from silks to sportswear for men and women.

The Masquerade Village outlet, which measures 2,530 square feet, is the nation's largest, and the second in Las Vegas. There is another Nicole Miller at the Fashion Show Mall.

Another business professional who looks forward to tonight's opening is Ardavan Najmabadi, owner of Alegre, a popular men's apparel store that offers upscale designer chic wear.

"Las Vegas is fantastic. This is an excellent location," said Najmabadi, who explained that Alegre's colorful array of designer clothing can be worn in many settings ranging from morning golf matches to late night cocktail parties.