Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 46

10A-NEVADA LOOKS AHEAD. GazetteJournal Monday, March 23, 1981 Vegas centers alive and welf 'Las Vegas continues to Retirement Manor of Reno "When you care about the older person in your life" grow, and retailing T31 grows right along with, 9 11. Is it the three delicious meals a day, served to their table, the weekly housekeeping and laundry service or the active community of friends that makes living at Retirement Manor so right for you? Our quess is it's all three and a lot more (JSP? By MICHAEL PHILLIS Gazette and Journal staff writer The latest $74 million Las Vegas Strip development to open shows the city's love affair with giving tourists something they can't get anywhere else is still burning bright. But the new addition at Las Vegas Boulevard and Spring Mountain Road is not a glittering, neon-Inundated hotel-casino it's a retail shopping mall, the Fashion Show. And it's proof, according to Las Vegas businessmen, that retailing is alive, well and worthy of huge investments in Southern Nevada.

In fact, retailing in Southern Nevada hit $3.27 billion in sales in 1979, up 12.2 percent from 1978. The Fashion Show, opened Feb. 14, joined two other Las Vegas regional shopping centers, the Boulevard Mall, opened in 1968, and the Meadows, opened in 1978. The Fashion Show, with 75 percent owned by Summa Corp. and 25 percent by Ernest W.

Hahn features five major department stores and space for 130 additional smaller stores with 87 spaces filled on opening day on 34 acres in the heart of the Strip, Summa spokesman Fred Lewis said. It is the only place in the world, said Lewis, where Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman-Marcus, Bullock's, Diamond's and Goldwater's prestigious department stores are under one roof. And, Lewis says, that is one of the reasons the Fashion Show is expected to be successful it provides something for the 12 million Las Vegas tourists (each year) they cannot get in their hometown. Lewis said marketing surveys indicate at least 60 percent of the Fashion Show customers will be tourists at any given time, with highs of 95 percent at other times. The Meadows and Boulevard malls, on the east and west side of town respectively, are also confer, dent of a good year ahead because the Las Vega.

population continues to increase rapidly, said Blaisdell, chairman of the Business Council tute of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. "I don't see any major problems for Las VegaX4. in the future," Blaisdell said. "It continues to grow 4 and retailing grows right along with it. We havfc" what I consider an excellent combination of regional shopping centers as well as a number of smaller1" shopping centers." Also an executive of the Boulevard Mall, Blais' dell said, "I think there's room for all three shopping centers at this time, but I certainty" wouldn't want to see another open tomorrow.

Blaisdell said the national trend of community shopping centers would continue in Las with a supermarket and 10 or 20 smaller stores -being built to serve new neighborhoods when tbft0, population reaches about 3,000 people, and "putting the major stores under one roof" in the to serve people within a 100-mile radius. While Blaisdell was optimistic about the conBJjJJJJ! year, he was unwilling to predict busin. growth. "Overall, I think you're going to see an excell3, increase in business, but I don't know what will be," he said. like your own private studio apartment perhaps witha patio or balcony.

A courteous and caring 24-hour staff that provides security services, transportation and activities ranging from tours to on-site hobby and college courses. At Retirement Manor you get all these comforts of home without living alone. And all for one affordable monthly fee. There's no long-term commitment. If you're ready to live the carefree life at Retirement Manor, we invite you to take a picturesque ride by Virginia Lake for a visit today, Or call (702) 827-3606.

Better times ahead? have to. The extra cash they used to have just iijJJ" available anymore so they're just buying rri ties to a great extent." USSST Urbauer said his profit margin and that of businesses across the United States hSSSEJ; dropped because of higher interest rates and irrftw. tion. Come see how easy and enjoyable life can be for the elderly. 'People just aren 't that mmk sure of their jobs and consequently aren't By LENITA POWERS Gazette and Journal staff writer Money is tight and consumers have become tight about spending it.

As a result, Nevada businessmen like Dick Urbauer can't move their wares as quickly and have had to decrease their inventory to combat the high cost of financing. While that has caused a drop in volume sales and in profits for Urbauer and other businessmen, they predict an upswing later this year. "High interest rates preclude a normal size inventory," said Urbauer, owner of Ponderosa TV and Appliance in Las Vegas. "You have to reduce your inventory to items that sell more rapidly or you get caught in the crunch of high finance costs." Urbauer said he has cut back his inventory by one-third. That means customers don't have as large of a selection from which to choose, he added.

Businessmen faced a similar situation during the recession of 1974-75, but Urbauer noted interest rates then of 8 or 9 percent have since doubled. "People just aren't that sure of their jobs and consequently aren't spending any more than they spending any more thajxB, they have to. p'rnla Lake C' Retirement Manor 855 Brinkby Ave. Reno, NV 89509 (702) 827-3606 "But I'm fairly optimistic about what's going; happen in the next four to six months," he saidSJ: think the national government has brought togettw. er some solid ideas and that this year, we'll endSST' fQUtl HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Continued on page 1 1 j41 a Look Ahead Energy Conservation fill svuinig) iviomiey yooingj A SCV The challenge of the coming decade is energy conserva tion.

As with any commodity in short supply the cost of rnntinuinn tn rise. Until new source continuing to rise, umn new energy is are develoDed we simolv must find -1 existing energy sources and, at the same time, hold down the cost. Using wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts accomplishes both because wood is the replenishable resource and smart planners are discovering that burning wood is most economical and cozy, and fun at the same time. We've added a new member to our outstanding selection of quality stoves and fireplace inserts. The manufacturer is LOPI and they feature beautiful new combinations of brass, nickel and decorator colors to the stove and fireplace insert format.

There's nothing "Ho-Hum" about these stunners and they're perfect for those folks with a flare for decorating. They let you see the fire too through generous sized glass doors. Come in now and let us help you plan a sensible approach to your home heating energy problem. 1 I.