Gift store’s new emphasis on liquor

The Cannery Casino is trying something a little different.

The North Las Vegas locals casino has replaced its gift shop with the Canteen liquor store, which was scheduled to open over the Fourth of July Holiday weekend, a resort spokesman said.

Bottles of Maker's Mark, Wild Turkey, Seagrams 7 and Jack Daniels now line the shelves that once housed casino logo wear, toiletries, displays of $10 watches and rows of overpriced snacks.

Coolers still offer bottled water and soft drinks, but the amount of space once dedicated to them has shrunk considerable only to be replaced with a selection of domestic and imported beers.

"We felt a liquor store was a better use of the space," said Josh Killian, the Cannery's director of marketing. "Toothpaste, deodorant and other basic sundries will still be available to our guests. But our gift shop is now a liquor store."

Peanuts and Slim Jim are also still available.

Killian admitted that a traditional gift shop was generating "very little" revenue for the resort.

He said the company made the move to try and grow the business and as a convince to its customers.

"The company is always looking for way to better serve our customers," Killian said.

The Canteen will be open Sunday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. Killian said members of the Cannery's Can Club loyalty card program could use their points on purchases.

The Canteen is located off the Cannery's valet parking area. Killian said the store will also be marketed as a convenience store to local customers, many of whom cash checks at the property.

"With the amount of check cashing we do it was an opportunity to offer a place to buy a six-pack of beer after they cashed their check," he said.

He said the Canteen would be competitively priced with ABC stores, grocery and convenience stores. One of the first specials to be offered will be a six-pack of Budweiser for $2.99 for Can Club members. There is a limit of one six pack per day.

Killian did not disclose how much it cost to remodel an existing gift shop into the Canteen. He said the Cannery's logo merchandise has been removed and will now be given away to Can Club members.

The Cannery and Eastside Cannery are owned by the same company, but operated independently. Killian didn't know how long the company would stick with the Canteen liquor store.

"All I can say is, I can't see us changing it within 90 days," he said. "If it's successful here, we may try it at the Eastside Cannery."

Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.