By Dave Clark

Fri, Aug 29, 2008 (3:34 p.m.)

Chris Morris

Traffic was snarled along Boulder Highway. Pedestrians crowded the sidewalks as patrons parked at neighboring casinos and restaurants. Inside the Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel, things were just as hectic on Thursday, its opening night, with lines forming outside restaurants and nary a slot machine open around 9 p.m.

Many patrons expressed surprise at the large crowd, especially in light of the recent economic downturn. Lillian Benashai, 50, said she was not a gambler and rarely comes to the Boulder Strip, yet she arrived with her husband to check out the $250 million newcomer.

Others came drawn by the casino’s proximity to where they live. Lake Las Vegas resident Harold Deruntz, 83, used to be a regular at Nevada Palace, which formerly occupied the site before closing Feb. 29.

“The people were friendly,” he said of the former casino. “It was clean.”

But he has not found a favorite spot since.

“Other casinos don’t pay,” Deruntz said.

Officials said the entire Palace workforce was offered positions at Cannery properties, and they comprised a few hundred of the new casino’s 1,100 staff.

While Deruntz had yet to gamble around 9 p.m., he predicted he would return.

“It’s simple to get out here,” Deruntz said. “Once it calms down, I’ll come back during the daytime.”

Debbie Foreman used to play at Nevada Palace as well. She cited the Eastside Cannery’s convenience as a drawing factor.

“Now, I don’t have to drive across town to Red Rock,” she said. “I live two blocks away.”

Deloris Friday was driven to opening night by curiosity, hoping to see some of her former Nevada Palace co-workers.

“I haven’t seen any yet,” Friday said. “I’m curious to see how many came back.”

Friday said she had worked at Nevada Palace for seven years before quitting about four years ago.

She said Nevada Palace was rundown, smoky and in need of repair.

“But I did OK at the machines,” Friday said. “I was pretty lucky.”

Friday said she had been aware a new hotel/casino was coming to the Boulder Strip. She thought the 16-story Eastside Cannery was about as big as Sam’s Town and Boulder Station, but nothing like them from the outside.

Officials described the building as having an industrial design with a slanted roof. At night the outside is aglow with alternating multi-colored flashing lights.

Like others, Friday was taken aback by the interest in the new property.

“It’s a nice crowd,” she said. “They’re very fortunate in this economic time to bring in this many. I wish them a lot of luck.”

Around 10 p.m., Friday still had not amassed any of the winnings she had grown accustomed to at Nevada Palace, but she remained hopeful.

“The night’s still young,” she said.

Dave Clark is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2677 or dave.clark@hbcpub.com.