Kreeger: Off-season is always slower
The SLS Las Vegas has experienced some growing pains in its first months of operations. The glitzy new property, which opened in August on the site of the former Sahara, closed its buffet restaurant earlier this month, and also instituted some layoffs. New President Scott Kreeger acknowledged the property has had to adjust to the market in the off-season.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Sun, the former MGM Resorts and Station Casinos exec said the property, developed by Sam Nazarian’s SBE Entertainment, has “challenges” and “areas that need to improve.”
Kreeger’s most recent role was as head of Revel in Atlantic City, which closed earlier this year after less than two years in business. At SLS, he trimmed the workforce by 2 percent, cut hours at the Griddle restaurant, and then closed the buffet. One of the property’s nightclubs is open only one night a week.
“We opened the property and the nightlife program heading into a slow season,” Kreeger said. “What we’re trying to do is take this time to refocus, build a program for the remainder of the year and come into 2015 with some really strong offerings.”
He said the property will try to capture its fair share of locals. “We’re going to springboard off our early successes with food and offer a product that is appealing to local Las Vegas customers. The buffet is one of those things,” and should reopen next year, he said.
Kreeger also said there may be more “fine-tuning” when it comes to staffing levels. But several new developments planned for the Strip’s north end?including the MGM Resorts Festival Grounds and megaresorts planned by Crown Resorts and Genting?should bring new vitality to the neighborhood.
“Visitor volume along the Strip is growing, and we’re very happy about our location,” Kreeger told the Sun. “The ease of arrival is phenomenal. We’re happy where we are, and we think the surrounding area is going to grow and prosper in the coming years. We have to be ready to be part of that story.”
