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twitterLocals defend ‘sketchy’ area slammed on TV by ‘The Office’ star
Leila Navidi
Las Vegans Curt Coker, left, and Lance Fernandez get custards from owner Greg Tiedemann, center, at Luv-It Frozen Custard in downtown Las Vegas Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009.
Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Mindy Kaling
Luv-It Frozen Custard
An actress who plays a ditsy office gossip on TV has a Las Vegas neighborhood in a lather.
Mindy Kaling of TV’s “The Office” appeared on “The Late Show with Craig Ferguson” on Friday night and trashed the neighborhood of the venerable Luv-It Frozen Custard.
She told Ferguson she was a little mad at his recommendation that she visit the tiny blue shop in the shadow of the Stratosphere.
“We went to this frozen custard place in I believe the most dangerous and sketchy neighborhood I’ve ever been to in my entire life,” Kaling said.
She and her friends were out on the town, wearing “sparkly dresses and heels” and celebrating her 30th birthday. They saw drug addicts, a pants-less man and two apparent “murderers” who she learned were police officers on a “undercover drug sting” and big fans of her sitcom, she said.
“Was the custard good?” Ferguson kept saying.
“Yes. The custard was good.”
“Was it worth risking your life for?” he said.
“I guess in a way.”
But that wasn’t the end of it for some locals, who have been rallying in support of their favorite custard shop.
Jessica Brown created a Facebook page titled “Las Vegas Downtown Neighbors & Luv-It Fans against Mindy Kaling.”
As of Tuesday the site had more than 60 fans. Word of the actress talking smack about the custard shop spread to other Facebook pages, where the actress was lambasted as “unsophisticated, classist and sheltered.” Some suggested boycotting “The Office.”
Granted, some people agree that the neighborhood could be spruced up. The custard stand sits between two convenience stores at 505 E. Oakey Blvd., just off Las Vegas Boulevard and down the street from a topless dancing club.
“I thought I’d do a tongue-in-cheek response because it seems to us that this area of Las Vegas has a strong sense of community,” said Brown, who is a Web developer at UNLV. “We know all of our neighbors. There are a lot of professionals in the area. There are people who have lived here since the houses have been here in the 1950s.”
The custard stand with a walk-up window has been in the neighborhood since 1973 and sits at the edge of the John S. Park Historic Neighborhood. It’s common to see 20 people lined up for custard, including families, artists, Supreme Court justices, low-income residents and celebrities who give their custard orders to limo drivers.
Realtor Jack LeVine, who runs the Web site VeryVintageVegas.com, says he was insulted: “It’s far and away not the sketchiest neighborhood ever. John S. Park, 100 feet away, is one of the most sought-after historic neighborhoods and we have great mom and pops along Las Vegas Boulevard.”
Dayvid Figler, a lawyer who lives in the John S. Park neighborhood, regularly frequents the custard stand. “I sometimes walk to Luv-It with my dog. My dog does not pack heat. My dog does not shoot up. My dog does not hook.”
The segment on YouTube.com has had more than 15,000 hits. James Reza, who runs the downtown Globe Salon, says Kaling’s comments send a negative view of the Las Vegas community — beyond the Strip: “The problem with pop culture is that these days half impressions are spread around the world as truth. A half-baked opinion becomes worldwide fact.”
Luv-It Custard owner Greg Tiedemann didn’t see the episode or the video online, but heard about it.
“Somebody running around without pants on? I’ve never seen that,” he says. “I get a lot of people from England. Some have cars. Some just hoof it with a map in hand, get their custard, like it and don’t complain about the neighborhood.”
Discussion: 76 comments so far…
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Every (and I mean EVERY!) time I go to Luv-It Custard I either get approached by panhandlers or see these scums walking near the place ready to pounce.
By the way, the custard *is* amazing!!
what a sheltered life Mindy Kaling must live. Poor thing she has probably not seen a man without pants before.
Isn't Olive Garden next door? How could she have left out the breadsticks? Luv it is great but that does not make the neighborhood any more than what it is, a turd hole. And the Sun shilling for a Realtor very much undermines the integrity of the article. Realtor Jack LeVine, tell us more about the mom and pop shops. Porn shops, wig and hooker wear, pawn shops, bail bonds, liquor stores, jewelry stores. Did I leave any out? Figler is a capable attorney and moonlights as a writer so he loves all this color and character.
If you support a local, non-chain establishment does your HOA have to fine you?
It must be awful to live life afraid of everything and every place except the mall and the pasty skinned automatons who wander in it. Come out of your gated communities every once in a while and live a little.
It is great custard (hard ice cream).
But it is true if that a lot dubious people walk through that area.
Also, drug users and drunks will beg for money.
I was standing next to Sleazy Harry Reid the other day and he fit right in. He didn't even know they sold Custard.
Mindy should have mentioned the corner of MLK and Washington, too. Scumbags galore!
afveteran, I work near mlk & wash. I never see scumbags there. Are you sure you have the right intersection?
It is not the prettiest part of the city, and a tourist wouldn't know John S. Park is right there, but one would have to live a pretty sheltered life to call it scary.
I'm with Mindy Kaling! I would be afraid to stop in that area of Las Vegas even in broad daylight! I don't consider myself a "chicken" in any sense of the word, but why push your luck?
"no such thing as bad press"
She said the custard was good and it was (sort of) worth risking her life for,
what more do you want the lady to do?
The incident is giving them a butt load of free advertising.
Headline: Newspaper writes story about people venting on Facebook.
Journey Weren't u on line next to Sleazy Harry? I think the neighborhood is just as safe as the strip where the illegals hand out the topless photos!
It's a really great story - so interesting that it got under people's skin.
Lets face it Las Vegas scares most normal people. Those of us that have chosen Las Vegas have done so in part because of this. My relatives wont visit because of the bad rap Las Vegas gets and Im very happy they stay away. You have to realize that Casinos, Drinking, drunk drivers, illegal aliens and murders all over the news is not normal for most people. What we see everyday like homelessness and drug dealing most people never see their entire life. What we should be doing is cleaning up that block. Run off the homeless and shut down the drug dealing.
BTW, isn't that the same neighborhood that has all the motels that rent rooms by the hour? I get out of Summerlin on occasion but I have a vague memory of passing by once...............
That IS a sketchy neighborhood. Certiantly not the scariest place most people have been, though.
the creepiest area in vegas is lake mead between las vegas blvd. and nellis.
so freaking creepy.
lots of "clinics" and "churches" with no windows.
I agree with Mindy!! That area is kind of sketchy and suspicious looking. Sorry if that upsets anyone.
I am a huge fan of The Office and I would never boycott it because some stupid group on Facebook is upset over a comment. Boohoo.
Has Mindy forgotten that she plays a pathetic loser on The Office? Perhaps she doesn't have to act to fit the part. Luv-Its, with its new coat of bright blue paint, is a great place and those of us who live in nearby neighborhoods are safe walking there.
Well she is right, it's not a place for young ladies to go in the dark. But it is great custard though.
I got it: Maybe for a nice cash payment shoved in a brown paper grocery bag Nina Radetich could do a nice pump-up story about LUV-IT (I love there custard myself) And say just how great that neighborhood is I mean at least during daylight hours. LOL
Sure the area is a little sketchy, but it has been improving. Some newer retail that has moved to the immediate area include a nail salon, a hand rolled cigar shop, an Indian turquoise jewelry shop, and a pizza place.
Per the metro web site....there have been no homicides in downtown in the last 60 days. The NE-1, N/W-2, S/C(strip area) 1. Just sayin'.
I never heard of this place but now I want to go there. "Sketchy" doesn't scare me! I come from a big city where panhandlers, outdoor urinating, men with no pants, and a collection of weirdos was normal. People do need to get out more and not be afraid. Of course, you dont go in certain areas at night, including MLK and Washington, but daytime is fine.
One ofthe worst areas in Vegas is east of Fremont St. Creepy during the day and way way creepy beyond words after dark. Very dimly lit and scary
What, has this Mindy person never been to Hollywood Blvd? Sunset Blvd? Santa Monica Blvd? Melrose Ave? Those places are no better.
I just took a closer look at the map where this place is. It is NOT that bad of an area!! Espedcially in teh daytime. Short cab ride at night from teh Strip hotels. And maybe even from the Strat, but daytime the area is okay,
Good point, Critias! I don't see how "The Naked City" is any more "sketchy" than Hollywood. Trust me, I've walked on Vine between Hollywood Blvd. and Sunset. Las Vegas Blvd. & Oakey isn't any more "sketchy" than any typical urban LA neighborhood. I have a friend who lives there, and I'm never afraid to go out the door.
Seriously, people, we can't stay behind our gates in Anthem & Summerlin all the time! ;-)
People are buying,smoking and selling meth in EVERY neighborhood in the valley. You may live in a 500,000 home but you and or a couple of your neighbors are tweekers! Don't be so full of yourselves.
i think 1 would b cruisn 4 a bruisn 2 go down 2 that area ,especially after dark or later n the evening.id prefer 2 enjoy my custard n a littl bit safer locale
you said it LV4LIFE.
the area east of freemont, is a little intimidating, but it does have a pretty heavy police presence.
I've lived in the neighborhood for 12+ years and I have seen it all. The neighborhood, to a person going on someones suggestion it is definitely sketchy. I've been hit up, hassled and almost attacked while walking to Luv-it but that's my neighborhood and I've lived in worse.
Stop whining because some celeb said it was scary. Craig Ferguson loves the place and mentions it often on his show. If anything send him a gallon of Luv-it in appreciation. You must have more important thing to do than get your panties in bunch over some good free publicity.
Oh yeah "Olive Garden"? Olympic Garden. Nothing sketchy about standing in line with your kids along with strippers and slime ball strip club dj's. "Tanya your custards ready after your lap dance"!
It's all just great fun. If you want to get riled up turn on Fox News.
Part of what makes the custard so good is the adrenaline dump you get wondering if you will make it back to your car. It is the EXPERIENCE, not the custard. Kind of like gong to Beirut for a falafel.......
Naked City. Yeah, a lovely place for a young lady to be at night... there are more lowlifes per square inch there than some prison populations.
Love the custard though!
Why does everyone assume those who find that neighborhood "sketchy" live in expensive, gated communities?
I rent an apartment. That neighborhood, to me, just doesn't look safe. Maybe it is safe. There are more areas in Las Vegas that I find more "sketchy" then that one. But I would still chose not to go to that neighborhood for custard by myself.
Anyway, The Office season premier is tomorrow at 9pm. ;)
I'd love to see this chick visit Chicago's West Side.
So she is spoiled and doesn't really know what a dangerous neighborhood is. Not really a story, but kind of interesting. LA has far worse neighborhoods than LV does, and it doesn't even have the liberalized concealed carry. She and her girlfriends should get carry licenses and watch each other's backs. Now that would be a story - a bunch of Hollyweird actresses end up shooting a mugger in Las Vegas. National story, I would think.
1. Mindy needs to get out more and live life a little. OR, perhaps she is type-cast in her role on The Office and her reaction is perfect.
2. It is the best frozen custard on earth; an order of magnitude better than ice cream, and it IS worth risking your life.
3. I have been a regular for many years and have been approached by a panhandler only one time.
.
..
...The darling little movie star ought to visit "The Combat Zone" in her native Boston, especially when an aircraft carrier ties up for a bit of leave discharging 5,000 sailors on leave.
...Have a nice day...
Instead of writing this story, why doesn't the LVS follow up on the fact that she had two of her credit cards duplicated at local bars? Is this happening a lot? Are the police aware of this? THAT would be a far more interesting story
Our_Linn, yeah good idea, I'm interested in that too!
But Mindy is right, not a good part of town.
what's the problem? that area IS sketchy. get over it.
Comment removed by staff. Comment contained an advertisement.
Please do not denigrate Mindy Kaling as just a "ditzy actress." To those of you who know anything about the Office, I'm sure you know that she is an accomplished writer AND producer on the show, as well as an actress - a truly integral component of the show's success. Anyone who does not know Vegas besides the Strip would have a hard time wrapping their brain around other areas of our unique city. I love Luv-It and I'm glad they got some free publicity.
By the way, to all you xenophobes spouting your privileged nonsense about "illegals," no human being is illegal. Get over YOURSELVES, because that language is more offensive than anything Mindy Kaling said.
If the shoe fits...
That 'hood' is sketchy... I dont venture up that way after dark and Im from Philly...
"By the way, to all you xenophobes spouting your privileged nonsense about "illegals," no human being is illegal."
Drive by home depot and all those brown people scratching their crotches are all "illegals" They have broken the law by invading our country. They steal from each and every tax paying citizen by using services in which they never pay for. They contribute to the crime. They steal the id's of citizens and don't pay any taxes. They are illegal and that's that!
I love this!!
First..the segment was amazing invaluable positive publicity for Luv-it...which they deserve.
Second..We all know the area isn't that sketchy for a city dweller, but for a suburbanite it is. They are used to NOT knowing that their neighbors are criminals 'cause they don't know their neighbors.
Third..these stories are always planned and embelished for dramatic effect! Like the owner said...he has never seen a guy walk by with no pants..I have, but not in that area!
People who love to hate on downtown;
Perfect!..don't move down here and spoil it for us!! The line is already too long at Luv-it!! Stick with your TCBY's and Applebee's.
I got an idea, why don't The Office staff have a Vegas episode. Everyone does one, just like the episode that people get trap in a closed space for a period of time. Let them end up at a Paper convention in Vegas. As a group project, the boss makes the team go to Luv-It Custard as a group project. Have them met all the stereotypes you would meet in a sketchy neighborhood in the middle of the night.
The only people who don't realize that most of Vegas is a dump are the ones who live here. Just deal with it, be happy we get spoke about once in a while. Quit whining.
I used to live down there and loved it. But guess what -- it wasn't a "safe" neighborhood.
Our house was broken into multiple times. So was one of our cars. A drunk tried to rob me at the gas station right next to Luv It's in broad daylight. Stolen cars were dumped on my street. A cop shot a guy just around the corner from me.
But it's also the only place I've lived in Vegas where I know all my neighbors and talked to them nearly every day. The sense of community is not found in the suburbs and something I miss. There's a great group of people living down there.
But that said, it's a high-crime area and the people "offended" by that fact are just being silly.
We stop at Luv-it frozen custard weekly -- sometimes 2 or 3 times per week. We stop there all year long.... all four seasons and at various times during the day/or evening. Early, late - doesn't matter. Aside from the best custard/sundaes you will ever have... there are families, lines of people - all ages and incomes. There is a constant stream of folks stopping and enjoying their frozen treats. I think it is more dangerous to walk in a mall parking lot after dark!
"Drive by home depot and all those brown people... are all "illegals" They have broken the law by invading our country...They are illegal and that's that!"
Hey LasVegas2009, I hate to break this to you, but right where you're sitting, at your computer, spouting your hateful, ignorant scapegoating for an obviously unsatisfying life USED TO BE MEXICO! "Brown" people are indigenous to this land - not white, English-speakers with a false sense of entitlement. What makes you any more deserving of a decent life? Undocumented workers are economic refugees - they are PEOPLE with families, and they are exploited more than you know. And guess what? THEY PAY TAXES! On everything that they purchase in this country, and, unlike you, they will never see anything back. Stop blaming other people for your own problems - every human being deserves a chance to make their way in this life.
hey afrayedknot-you're a moron. used to be mexico? indigenous to this land? pay taxes? what? you're an idiot.
i would say mindy's brain is a whole lot of sketchy if she thinks that area is dangerous.. She should come down to fremont east area and see sketchy..Maybe shes scared of her own shadow as you are only vunerable to harrasment or assault if you let it be that way.. Ive never had any problem in that area even when winchells was open there some years ago or now..i dont let myself become a victim as some others believe it will never happen to them..YEA RIGHT if you say so........
Pants are overrated
I've lived in some real bad areas of Las Vegas. The worst being Doolittle and J street. Learn something. What people are missing is that a scary or sketchy neighborhood is very subjective. I don't think the area she is talking about is all that bad, but I have a frame of reference. She may not. Everyone who lives here knows the area around the Stratosphere is horrible. Hello! Naked City? Don't take it personal. It has some truth. Just because she thinks the neighborhood is bad doesn't mean she should be pegged as a yuppy. Get real. The custard is alright, but I'd miss out just to avoid the garbage pail kids begging for handouts.
Don't try to sugar coat it!That area near the Stratosphere IS a little scary at night! Truth is most big cities have an area(s)you should'nt be in at night! Last year in July we took a drive up the strip one night up to Fremont and it reminded us of taking a wrong turn in the south Bronx, or Bushwick Brooklyn. We saw a scene similar to what she described, but I've also seen that here in NY sometimes and on visits to Philly, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston, and LA. She just wanted something funny to say perhaps, just proof that she's just as sketchy as the character she portrays on The Office.
Seems like much ado about nothing...
Good food but I wouldn't send my wife/girlfriend/mother/daughter there alone.
Seems like she just gave an honest answer....
funny...ITS LAS VEGAS WHERE THE HELL DID YOU THINK YOU MOVED!!! of course its sketchy....lol
CaptJack,
you put it in perspective.
Nicely done.
I lived in a house Downtown at 9th & Lindell for a few years. I never experienced any problems, knew all of my neighbors, parked my BMW in the driveway and left it unlocked sometimes. No thefts, no robberies, no problems.
I moved to Summerlin (Hualapai & Charleston) only to have my stereo system stolen out of my car ON THE FIRST NIGHT I lived there. I also experienced a ton of problems with the HOA and had my car towed twice for no reason at all.
Now I live in the Southwest in a suburban "upscale" area and I'm dying to get out. Last week, one of my neighbors was held at gunpoint for 20 minutes. Within the first six months of living here, some tweeker reached into my window at 4 in the morning and stole my son's laptop right off his desk (and then rode off on our bicycle from the deck). There's nothing to do here - I never see anyone walking around the neighborhood or talking to their neighbors. The only way I know about the robbery is because a sign was posted at the mailboxes to ask if anyone had seen anyone wandering the neighborhood.
I'm mortified to live in the suburbs. It's so GROSS. I'm in the process of buying a home Downtown again. It's a fantastic community. Unfortunately, it has a terrible reputation but I can honestly say after living there for a few years and living in the suburbs for a few years, I'll take Downtown anyday.
Isnt that area called Naked City? One of the WORST neighborhoods of LV. I certainly would not recommend a friend go there without a disclaimer to be careful. I would be pissed if I were her also.
http://www.casinoguide.com/blogs/lifeinv...
Who are we kidding???? There are tweekers and homeless on every corner and in every neighborhood. Most people would be horrified if they really knew their neighbors and knew what was really going on in their cities.
I think the worst neighborhoods I've ever been in, in Las Vegas, are at in the VIP rooms of the clubs and the adult pool decks.
I am sure Mindy and her friends spent some time at those places in there sparkly dresses, and hooker heels.
Just an FYI.. Luv-It is NOT in Naked City. That is the area behind the Strat bearing such street names as Baltimore.. This video is ON the strip at Sahara and LV Blvd. Scary!!! and over a mile away from Luv-It.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseac...
Luv-It is great! Killer rotating selection of flavors, I go there all the time.
Just pull into the parking lot, get your yogurt and leave...it's an unsafe crappy area for sure, but there is no need to hang out there.
It IS good custard but it's not so serious as to venture in that area at night.
TRAPPER,
People who love to hate on downtown;
Perfect!..don't move down here and spoil it for us!!
DONT WORRY WE WONT
peace out
Us firemen don't go there for custard after dark cause they will steal our truck.
Funny that you throw around the term Naked City as an insult when it originated from the fact that the neighborhood was very nice at one time, so much so that the Showgirls would sunbath topless around the lush and luxurious pools , Hence the name Naked City.
I saw the interview. The worst part wasn't her reference to the sketchy neighborhood. Most people appreciate that large cities have sketchy places.
The worst part was that she didn't like ANYTHING about Vegas.
Trapper, that clip was funny as hell. But it's that same neighborhoods fault for being as it is. For as long as I can remember, that same neighborhood has shut down all attempts to make a new hotel/casinos running from the strip to downtown. They could of had some nice packages for such a deal, such as make the neighborhood into a gated community, but they always refused. Their fault and the crackheads, homeless gain. They should of learned with what the Scotch 80's did many years ago but had the new Hotel/Casinos build it all.
I was living in Summerlin and used to turn onto LV blvd from Sahara and seen that guy a couple times shirtless and always approaching cars... Not so funny I guess, I would have run his ass over... and would have shot him if he was approaching innocent women and/ or families in their autos...
I tried to explain sketchy
http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18969...