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back to las vegas oct 2006
from LasVegasNow.com
Final Farewells to Las Vegas' Legendary Stardust
Alyson McCarthy, Reporter
November 3, 2006The legendary Stardust officially closed its doors Wednesday at noon bringing an end to 48 years of colorful Las Vegas history.
Thousands of people flocked to the property to take a last look around and snatch up whatever memorabilia was being sold or given away. And it's the Stardust name and logo that visitors to this famous property wanted to get their hands on Wednesday morning — a chance to own a little piece of this chapter in Las Vegas history.
With a bang, not a whimper, the Stardust celebrated its final hours. And with live music and scantily clad showgirls, there was plenty of old Vegas style to the historic hotel-casino's sendoff.
For many of the Stardust employees, it was an emotional farewell.
Von Berosini, Stardust bartender, said, "This last year has been really hard. We all knew this day would be coming so now, we're just saying our goodbyes."
But bell captain Tom McEwan, whose tenure with the Stardust lasted its entire 48 years, says he's ready to say goodbye. "It's sad, but I'm ready to retire. See, I've got my fishing hat," Tom said.
Fishing was also on the minds of thousands of last-minute visitors to the property, like Randy Deberarvinis, who lined up to collect several Stardust souvenirs being given away all morning long.
"I got playing cards and match books," Randy said.
And for those willing to pay face value, Stardust casino chips with the dates 1958 to 2006 were also for sale.
Even plastic water bottles and souvenir bags were flying out the doors with long-time Stardust regulars, like Michael Lawson, who remembers sneaking in to the Stardust as a teenager many years ago. "For anyone who never came to Vegas, you missed a great one here," Michael commented.
But when the clock struck noon, Boyd Gaming chairman Bill Boyd had his own symbolic signoff in the Stardust sportsbook. Bill Boyd said, "The day is finally here. Turn out the lights, let's shut it down, Jake." And the sports boards faded to black over silence.
If you're after an bigger piece of Stardust memorabilia — like the gaming tables, slot machines and furniture — you'll have to wait until Nov. 17 when the Stardust plans to hold a public auction.
The Stardust helped transform the Las Vegas Strip over the years. For example, it established the showgirl as part of the Las Vegas experience, and one of its first shows featured topless dancers. The Stardust also launched the careers of Siegfried and Roy and many other performers.
The resort opened July 2 1958, with more than a thousand rooms and catered to middle America with its low-priced rooms.
The resort became as famous for its familiar friendliness as its mobbed-up past. In the 1995 movie "Casino," Robert DeNiro played the finely tailored Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal, who ran the hotel-casino in the mid-1970s.
The closing of the Stardust will help make room for the multi-million dollar Echelon Place. But before work can begin on that, the Stardust will be imploded. Boyd Gaming officials say that could take place in March.
The property must first be cleared out and prepared for demolition and that will take some time. Once the building is down work will begin on Echelon Place, which is expected to open in 2010.
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