Quiet Carson City braces for big business

Friday, Jan. 10, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

But by Jan. 20, the building and nearby areas in this town of about 47,000 will be transformed as lawmakers and family members, lobbyists, temporary staffers and others arrive for the start of the 1997 session.

Until then, it's slow for some of the businesses located across Carson's main street from the lawmakers' home away from home for the next several months.

At Capitol Hair, two hairdressers and a manicurist sat chatting on barbers' chairs on a slow midweek afternoon. There were no customers in sight, but the employees said they know things will change soon.

"We've already gotten some phone calls," said hairdresser Shelley Campbell. "We're going to be swamped."

"There's going to be a lot of people," agreed fellow hairdresser Patty Fonda, who now works only three days a week. "I'm going to work at least one day extra a week."

Their boss, Mary Frock, plans to send out mailings to legislators and their families -- expanding on inducements like free beers now available for waiting customers.

Also eager for the return of the legislators is Karen Shoaf, manager of the St. Charles Hotel. The local landmark, built in 1862, has been remodeled for use as executive offices and apartments.

"My husband and I took over this hotel in late October," Shoaf said. "Two weeks later, we had rented out all the executive suites to the lobbyists coming to town."

Shoaf's office is packed with computers, a copier and a fax machine. She expects they'll be whirring within a few weeks.

"The fact that we're full shows we had such a need for office space in this town," Shoaf said. "I hope to transform the hotel entirely into offices by the end of the season."

Down the street at Java Joe's, a cozy coffee shop, maroon-haired waitress Brianne Dunn said she's sure she'll see more customers.

"Oh, we'll probably get a lot more people," Dunn said. "We always get more business when something big comes to town."

But at the Carson Nugget, Assistant General Manager Jim Dempster said the Legislature will have only a minor effect on the casino.

"These guys are here to work. They're not supposed to be fooling around in here," Dempster said. "Only the food business will increase. I mean, they do have to eat."

Sharing that sentiment was Laura Hicks, bartender at Jack's Bar directly across from the Legislative Building.

"Oh, we'll get some, but we're more into the gambling and (the legislators) don't gamble," Hicks said, nodding toward slot machines in the bar.

Not even a little boost for the till?

"This bar still relies on its regular customers," Hicks said firmly.