Losing a lesser palace

It wasn’t Caesars, but some will miss gritty east side casino giving way to big hotel

Tiffany Brown

One-man band Jimmy Limo plays at the Nevada Palace on the casino’s next-to-last day of business Thursday. Limo has been playing a four-hour set at the Palace five days a week for eight years. “I’ve got nothing for March as of now,” he said. He’s still waiting to hear if he’ll play at the Eastside Cannery hotel, being built on the site.

By Mike Trask (contact)

Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 | 2 a.m.

Last Day at the Palace

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Tomorrow’s Las Vegas is rising dramatically where Harmon Avenue runs into the Strip at CityCenter, the $8 billion high-rise project that defines a new and daring direction for this town.

Yesterday’s Las Vegas is crumbling where Harmon Avenue crosses Boulder Highway on the east side of town, where Nevada Palace closes its doors at 8 tonight.

If you didn’t know that, or if you wonder whether you should care, no wonder. It was a dive the day it opened, and has been slipping ever since, so its passing isn’t noteworthy for many people.

In a neighborhood distinguished by its weekly-rate motels and pawn shops, the Palace — with all of 481 slot machines — will be missed for its two-for-one lasagna special and coin-in-coin-out slots.

Of course it will be replaced, because that is the equilibrium of development. The Eastside Cannery hotel, a sister of the Cannery in North Las Vegas, is under construction on the site.

This would be big news in other cities — the replacement of a mom-and-pop business with a $250 million, 16-story hotel.

But in Las Vegas, progress is measured on a much larger scale. Just drive down Harmon Avenue and gape at CityCenter.

On this end of Harmon Avenue, progress is marked by a blood drive to commemorate the closing of Nevada Palace. Donors will get a free meal at the new place after it opens this summer.

No implosion here. A front-loader will knock over the already rubber-legged building.

It’s going to kill Shari Beza. She’s been serving cocktails and coffee at Nevada Palace for a quarter-century. She plans on getting all dolled up for work tonight. She’s going to apply waterproof mascara.

“I can’t drive down Boulder Highway and not see this place here,” she said. “It will break my heart.”

On Thursday, the place had long been emptied of table games ($200 limit). About the only things left in the gift shop were a few packs of GPC cigarettes. Just off the casino floor, midday diners at Formica tables were enjoying the daily specials.

The new building will have a 65,000-square-foot casino and six restaurants, including one on the top floor. Just like on the Strip.

That’s a sure sign of progress on this end of Harmon Avenue.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By Fccfirstclass

2/29/08 at 5:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

The Cannery is a 1st class operation. My daughter works there and is very happy. They have the only all digital movie theater with 16 screens in North Las Vegas. They show NFL playoffs in 2 theaters and the Super Bowl was in 4. All free to watch. The food is very good with mid to high end products. The group also owns the Rampart on Rampart Blvd. The area around the Eastside Cannery will love the service and have a great place to go after UNLV football games.
By mikeg

2/29/08 at 9:50 p.m.

Suggest removal

I like Jimmy Limo's guitar. It's hard to find a lime green electric these days, especially a shade that matches the awnings of the place you play.

Just having some fun. I bet the guy can play, and I hope he at least gets a weekly slot at the new place.
By Diane

3/1/08 at 6:03 p.m.

Suggest removal

Many will miss Jimmy Limo's music where he has played at the Nevada Palace for 8 years. His guitar playing rocks! He has dedicated his life to his passion which is making people happy..while listening to incredible, smooth blues,rock and jazz. A composer of many original songs..Jimmy came to Las Vegas after living in Hawaii for almost 20 years.. He was fortunate to have a gig at the Nevada Palace for so long..they were so good to him. Every time I have visited Las Vegas I go to hear his music there. He has many fans and we all hope he will be able to play music at the new Cannery. Aloha Nui to the Nevada Palace and Good Luck Jimmy..You Rock!!
By LarsDG

3/1/08 at 8:26 p.m.

Suggest removal

Well, I guess you could call this "progress"... as long as we can still hear Jimmy Limo at the new place when it opens. After blowing many a wad at the Palace, listening to Limo's licks always took the edge off. Kept me coming back, he did. After the Cher's, Bette's and Celine's go their glitzy way ... it's comforting to know that the real deals like Jimmy Limo or Moody Scott can still be found around town. Counting on hearing Jimmy at the new Cannery when it opens.
By mercurialmike

3/1/08 at 9:22 p.m.

Suggest removal

I met Jimmy Limo about 2 years ago and immediately became a friend and a fan of his music. He is an accomplished musician and composer. The Cannery East should offer him a regular gig, he really has quite a large local fan base.

I often visited the Nevada Place because of Jimmy's music and the nice people who worked there. It was a part of "Old Vegas" that is quickly disappearing, being replaced by casinos that all look the same.