Plaza will offer areas where ‘Pawn Stars’ fans can relax

Rick Harrison of the hit History Channel TV show "Pawn Stars" says his family plans to build a plaza near their Gold & Silver Pawn Shop. A megaresort this isn’t: Taking a page from the nearby Container Park, Pawn Star Plaza will comprise 22 cubed venues providing a place for "Pawn Stars" fans to relax, eat and shop when they go to see the famous pawnshop, as opposed to waiting in long lines in the sun.

While a specific timetable and location weren’t disclosed, Harrison says the pieces are in place to complete the plaza as early as the end of this year.

Dollar Daze: The Downtown Grand is running "Dollar Daze" with $1, $2 and $3 specials in the restaurants and bars. The offers include $3 cheeseburgers, $2 domestic beers and $1 hot dogs. After coming out of the gate somewhat stingily, the Downtown Grand is turning into a bargain force downtown.

Palms switches: The Chinese restaurant Fortune has closed in the coffee shop at the Palms. A new Chinese restaurant called Lao Sze Chuan opens this month in the space that used to be Little Buddha.

Bogus shrimp: Sometimes a deal really isn’t. Haute Doggery at The Linq has a big sign out front advertising shrimp cocktail for $1. But read the fine print. In order to get the shrimp, you have to order a hot dog that costs $6-$8. That’s not cool.

QUESTION: What will be the next major opening in Las Vegas, the old Sahara property?

ANSWER: Yes, but the "old Sahara" will be the new SLS Las Vegas. The north-Strip resort will open Aug. 23, a week ahead of its previously announced Labor Day weekend goal. It was also announced that one of the towers will be branded SLS LUX, with suites that will be more like condos (similar to rooms at the Cosmopolitan). The World Tower will cater to business travelers, and the Story Tower will be designed to appeal to clubbers. SLS’ marquee is now in place and displays a countdown to opening day.

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