Columnist Muriel Stevens: Monsour takes reins for Wynn

Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2003 | 8:26 a.m.

Best wishes to Neiman Marcus General Manager Teri Monsour, who has been named senior vice president of retail at Wynn Las Vegas.

Monsour has been with NM since its opening 22 years ago, when she was the first public relations coordinator.

Later, as merchandise manager, Monsour made significant changes in the couture department. And it was through her efforts that such high-end designer products as Chanel, Prada and Gucci became available in Las Vegas.

Somehow she convinced the NM corporate buying office in Dallas that women of sophistication and style did indeed live in Las Vegas.

During the darkest days of the store's reconstruction period (it lasted more than two years, yet the store remained open), the indomitable, always-gracious, charming Monsour managed to keep us all happy.

I remember an InCircle event where loyal patrons wended their way through miles of plastic, all artfully decorated, of course, to get to the shopping and party areas. It was a terrific event.

Throughout her tenure as general manager the petite dynamo never missed a beat. Monsour's last day at Neiman Marcus is Nov. 4. NM merchandise manager Bill Terry will become NM's general manager Nov. 5, the same day Monsour joins Wynn.

Fashion Show looking good: It's been a long time coming, but the Strip side of Fashion Show mall is now ready, and the view looking down Las Vegas Boulevard is stunning. I was heading south as I made my way to the newly dubbed TI (Treasure Island).

Fashion Show is gorgeous. Las Vegas Boulevard has finally earned its "boulevard" distinction.

The Fashion Show is still a work in progress, but shops and eateries will continue to open throughout the holiday season and beyond. There are few surprises on the list of food court outlets (mostly the usual suspects), but the design and view are super.

With so many new entrances and so many valet options, the Fashion Show is on its way.

To learn the lay of the land, pick up a directory pamphlet at the concierge desk. By now there should be an updated version that will point you in the right direction.

Mandalay Place: Mandalay Place, a shopping concourse between Mandalay Bay and Luxor, will open its direct valet door Nov. 1. Until then, visitors will have to hoof it from Mandalay Bay's west valet through the hotel past the box office for "Mamma Mia!" to the escalator entrance.

A collection of shops and restaurants, all new to Las Vegas, will be completed in spring 2004. A few of the shops have opened. Piero Selvaggio will open his Giorgio Caffe on Saturday. There are many facets to this attractive Italian restaurant. It's a casual trattoria, caffe and gelateria, dining room and more.

Oops: Las Vegas Outlet Center (formerly Belz) at Warm Springs Road and Las Vegas Boulevard will not have expanded hours as noted in last week's column. Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

LVOC will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thanksgiving Day. After Thanksgiving, sale days are Nov. 28 (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.), Nov. 29 (8.a.m. to 10 p.m.) and Nov. 30 (9 a.m. to 9 p.m.).