Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 26

tasisiess 10B Wednesday, October 10, 1984 Reno Gazette-Journal Reno retailers expect busy Christmas season Bryan urging businesses to set up shop in Nevada CARSON CITY Gov. Richard Bryan travels to San Francisco today to talk to businessmen about relocating in Nevada. He will attend a national conference on how to pick a new business site. "Upwards of one-thousand businessmen and woman will be attending this three-day meeting individuals who clearly are in the market for a new business location," said Bryan, who will host a reception for them. Sales already up substantially By RICHARD MORENO Many of Reno's larger retail stores, including Mer-vyn's, Sears, Montgomery Wards and Weinstock's, report "substantial" increases in fall sales over 1983 and are anticipating the trend will continue through Christmas.

The boost in fall sales locally mirrors a national increase in retail sales. Historically, retail sales are best during the final quarter of the year because of the Christmas season, but this year sales have begun taking off earlier. "Mervyn's as a company was up 24 percent in September over last year," said Reno store manager Tom Quintard. "I think the (reason) is the economy is a lot healthier. There's definitely optimism and consumer confidence, you can feel it." Quintard said he expects the high sales trends to continue through the Christmas buying season.

He said the Reno store had "great back-to-school" sales in August and September. Children's clothing topped the list, but other season items, such as flannel sheets, have been selling briskly. Weinstock's Store Manager Colleen McClung echoed Quintard, saying, "Our business has been just incredible." "I don't know why, but our business is very, very good. It seems Reno is very crowded when I go downtown to the casinos," she said. "It seems Reno is on a roll right now.

"It doesn't seem to be that many people are scared to spend money right now, there's more confidence." Ron Borkowski, Sears-Roebuck manager and chairman of the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce Retail Committee, said the local sales figures aren't all compiled, but the Reno retail market has been leading the national percentages in sales. "Our catalog business usually starts sooner than our retail sales for Christmas shopping but it has already picked up," Borkowski said. "It started off very strong and that's usually a thermometer of how sales are going to go (for Christmas)." All three stores reported that ready-to-wear clothing was selling well, particularly sweaters. McClung said sweaters with "novelty" patterns, such as argyle or stripes, have been popular. "This year corduroy has been doing real well," McClung said.

"The men's wear look for women is doing well as are VCRs (video cassette recorders) I he governor said he wants to talk with representatives of California electronics firms and related industries about coming to Nevada. IGT introduces converter kit RENO International Game Technology, manufacturer of video gaming announced Tuesday its newest non-video product: a kit for converting outdated electro-mechanical slot machines to a modern electronic microprocessor system. The kit is designed to update and improve the efficiency and monitoring capabilities of the traditional electro-mechanical spinning reel gaming devices. IGT officials estimate there are more than 50,000 such electro-mechanical machines available for possible conversion in Nevada alone and a greater number in the remaining world markets. The kit contains packaged components, microprocessor board, harness, optics and associated hardware.

Purchasers told about Question 12 More UAW locals OK GM contract DETROIT AP) Rank-and-file approval of the united Auto workers tentative contract withj "The contract is not everything we wanted, but most contracts never are," said Norm Acord, president of Local 292 at a Delco Electronics plant in Kokomo, which approved the pact 3,672 to eral Motors Corp. gained a wider margir as UAW leaders worked overtime sellij to a skeptical membership. fV Unofficial tabulations by JPJA put tne "yes vote at JSopffs. aixhos a University of Nevada-Reno economist Glen Atkinson will discuss Question 12, the tax limitation measure on the Nov. 6 ballot, before the Northern Nevada Chapter of the Purchasing Management Association Thursday.

Atkinson's speech is scheduled at 11:45 a.m. in the Elk's Lodge, 591 Kumle Lane, across from the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. The public is invited to attend. and because of football and the World Series, televisions." McClung said women's wear with "glitter," meaning clothing with beads or sparkling been selling well. John Dreier, manager of Montgomery Wards in Sparks, said, "It's not just back-to-school type things but everything that's been selling." He said televisions, appliances and microwave ovens have been big sellers.

Nationally, Montgomery Ward reported a 10.7 percent increase in sales in September over a year ago. Ted Weldon, Sears national catalog manager, said the country's nearly, fanatical obsession with Cabbage Patch Kid dolls resulting in riots and fist-fights last Christmas season will continue. All the local stores said they can't keep them in stock. "Although we'll have a larger quantity than last year, as well as the new Cabbage Patch 'Koosas' (pets) and accessories, demand is still expected to exceed supply throughout the industry," Weldon said. Weldon said other toys that are expected to be in -high demand are "Care Bears," a line of stuffed animals, "Masters of the Universe," which are plastic action figures, and "Go Bots," which change from colorful robots to vehicles with a little manipulation.

Atlantic City gaming revenues slowing ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. Gaming industry revenues for September indicate a slower rate of growth in the market here, leading casino executives to tighten their belts and analysts to warn that similar figures this month could stall industry expansion. Gamblers lost $178.9 million to the resort's 10 gaming halls during September, just 6 percent ahead of the $167.6 million the nine casino hotels in operation took in during September a year ago, according to unofficial figures from industry officials and analysts. Official figures are not expected to be out for several days. Estimates from industry executives of anticipated growth for 1984 have ranged from 15 percent to 20 percent above the $1.77 billion taken in during 1983.

For the anticipated increase to occur, analysts were expecting to see much of the growth from late spring through October, the heaviest revenue periods since legalized gaming began here in 1978. George Swarts, managing partner of the Laventhol Howath accounting firm in Las Vegas, said the drop showed the Atlantic City market may be maturing, or it could be just a freak occurence. "We have been expecting for some time that as that market matures the dramatic growth rate will slow down. It has to happen," he said. "That is what happened to the Nevada market." He said the drop holds no meaning for Nevada.

"The impact of the competition between Nevada and Atlantic City has already taken place. I don't think we're starting to take back any of the market from them or them from us." Irving Babson, gaming business magazine publisher, said, "Don't push the panic button. (Atlantic City) is running at capacity. What else do you want?" Babson said the market "has to settle in," particularly with the addition of the new Harrah's Trump Plaza, Atlantic City's 10th hotel-casino, which opened this spring. He said the hotel-casino is still developing its marketing plan and hasn't started being aggressive yet in attracting new business.

He also said the public should wait until the fourth quarter and see what results are produced when the hotel-casinos are not running at capacity. "I was really shocked when I saw the numbers for September," said Marvin B. Roffman, a gaming analyst with the Philadelphia brokerage firm of Jan-ney Montgomery Scott Inc. WIRE SERVICE AND STAFF REPORTS 2,081. "They (GM) say it's the best they can do.

So, if it is, I am in favor of it." When voting started more than a week ago, Bieber said he expected "overwhelming" approval. Meanwhile, bargaining continued at Ford Motor where the UAW represents 115,000 workers. The union has set a target of noon Friday for reaching a tentative agreement with the No. 2 domestic automaker, but it has not set an official strike deadline. Ford's chief negotiator, Peter Pestillo, told reporters that the snag at GM "hasn't been a factor" at Ford, and he considered Friday more a target and "less a strike deadline." "We ought to be able to reach agreement on time, I think," Pestillo said.

Campaigning by union representatives trying to sell the pact stepped up around the country, particularly in UAW Region 1C in east-central Michigan, where as many as 60,000 votes could be cast. The region includes Flint, and "how Flint goes will be a big key to this vote," said Stan Marshall, director of Region 1C. Three large Flint locals began voting Tuesday, with the polls to remain open for a day. Most, Flint-area returns were expected to be tallied later in the week. The voting deadline for all locals is Sunday night.

The union's 1982 concessions contract with GM passed 52 percent to 48 percent. margin of 54.4 percen45y42eentT Of 149 union locals, vyiarwred in favor of the pact so far and 14 hafed against it. Nine of those locals have refused to give their vote totals. Three of four Ohio UAW locals reporting Tuesday approved the pact Local 233 at Fisher Body in Hamilton, Local 696 at Delco Moraine in Dayton and Local 913 at New Departure Hyatt in Sandusky. But Local 1714 at Lordstown Fisher Body overwhelmingly rejected the pact, 1,430 to 699.

More than 350,000 working UAW members at GM are eligible to vote, as are 30,000 others who have been laid off but retained their recall rights. UAW President Owen Bieber has told members they will be on strike if they vote down the proposed contract that he helped work out. Bieber has said that the agreement was the best deal available and that he would not return to the bargaining table if it is rejected. Asked at a news conference Tuesday in Louisville, if the voting was a referendum on his leadership, Bieber replied, "Absolutely not." Bieber, stumping for Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale, said he wasn't disappointed by the closeness of the GM vote. It "is a complex document," Bieber said.

"It is not easy to comprehend in one reading. If it is properly presented, GM employees will accept it. Old Vegas theme park sold HOUSTON Johnny Mitchell, chairman of the board of Westworld announced the signing on Oct. 5 of a contract for the sale of all of the stock of Old West Corp. to Jaren Associates 5, a general partnership.

Old West is a wholly owned subsidiary of Westworld, which owns and operates the theme park, Old Vegas, in Henderson. The purchase price for the stock is $3.7 million and the parties hope to close within 60 days although the transaction is subject to the approval of the Nevada Gaming Authorities. After certain long term debts of Old West have been paid, Westworld expects to net approximately $1.7 million. Jaren is affiliated with Rawhide, a Western theme park located in Scottsdale, Ariz. Landmark, Imperial owners want to buy 2 Vegas hotels Kaiser reports third-quarter loss OAKLAND, Calif.

Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. Tuesday reported a third-quarter 1984 net loss of $73.2 million, or $1.68 per common share almost double the loss for the same quarter last year. In the same quarter last year, the company experienced a net loss of $36.8 million, or 86 cents a share. Chairman Cornell C. Maier said problems in the aluminum division, such as price declines of both fabricated and primary aluminum products and sales of low-margin primary metals making up a greater proportion of overall shipment volume, contributed to the loss.

WIRE SERVICE AND STAFF REPORTS LAS VEGAS (UPI) Landmark Hotel-Casino owner Bill "Wildcat" Morris said Tuesday he and Imperial Palace owner Ralph Engelstad are negotiating with several banks to finance a possible purchase of the Stardust Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip and the downtown Fremont Hotel. Morris said the plan, if finalized, would make the two resort operators 50-50 partners in the two hotel-casinos now owned by Trans-Sterling, which was stripped of its gambling licenses earlier this year. Morris said reports of a $170 million purhcase price were "in the right range." Clifford and Stuart Perlman, who founded Caesars Palace, also are negotiating with Trans-Sterling principals Al Sachs and Herb Tobman. Morris said he is pressing to find the financing "as soon as pos sible because it appears there are serious negotiations with the Perl-mans." He continued: "We have a Wall Street investment banking firm that is putting together the financing through a group of savings and loans in Portland and Phoenix, along with another independent source, a New York bank' Morris said progress is being made in securing financing. Blue Bounty ffk ipjs Fish Gourmet Foods jj cfr vli) pcc, effcctiv octotcr i rjy XsQUIdNpIO) a LARGE ji VLr7 fillets A SCALLOPS SP39 sauieldCeS and sapn buttervQ swordK, a Ar A Xmahn a A FISH A RED VA MAHI A-A steaks lM I Jwm K7219 1 Roll in bread crumbs lb.

0r Broil or bake and yiicUcirrt The solid reputation enjoyed by John Ascuaga's Nugget rests squarely on the shoulders of our personnel. They are true professionals who delight in backing up the Nuggefs promise: The Best of Everything." In return, each month we honor those who have completed 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. We feel they deserve public recognition for a job well done. After all, ifs the public they serve. Listed below are employees with anniversary dates in October.

OCTOBERS Red Snapper in Wine Sauce I Vi lbs. Red Snapper fillets I cup fresh sliced fy cup of half 'n half David W. Lipson Bartender, Bar Dept. Richard G. Westover Security Guard, Administrative i vi cup Droccoli I cup white wine Juice of 1 lemon musnrooms vi tsp.

salt 2 Tbls. flour cup sharp Cheddar 2 Tbls. butter cheese grated Cook broccoli until tender and set aside Sprinkle fish with lemon juice and let stand a few minutes Poach filtets in heated wine Place broccoli eacn end of a shallow baking dish Place frsh in center of dish After sauteing mushrooms In butter, blend in flour, cream and wine in which fillets poached Cook and stir until thickened and blend in salt and cheese. Cook gently again until cheese is melted. Pour sauce over fish Bake 350 for 20-30 minutes Serves 4 5 YEARS Linda R.

Allen Waitress, Food Dept. Georgiann M. Baugh Waitress, Food Dept. Esther M. Coffman Waitress, Food Dept.

Jeanne J. Coop Waitress, Food Dept. Michael D. Dietrich Senior Mechanic, Slot Dept. Judith A.

Keathley Waitress, Food Dept. Linda L. Kelley Cocktail Waitress, Bar Dept. "STEAMED CLAMS" ALL YOU CAN EAT i Bordelaise Style Served with rice, salad sour dough bread. Wednef.yThMrf ogZEStfiS Dinner Only $Q95 Monday-Saturday 4:30 to 10.00 p.m.

Sunday 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. Lunch 1 1 .30 to 2:30 BLUE BOUNTY Restaurant Lounge 1901 Silverada Blvd. Next to Blue Bounty Fish Market Moana West Shopping Canter Lakeside Moana open 7 pays a week 10-7 rr 826-9015 Oddle Mall Oddle Silverada Mofldty I All Fish Subject To Availability Weather Conditions..