"Why, you're almost a native!" people say when I tell them I've lived in Las Vegas since 1965. Next comes, "Boy, I guess you've seen a lot of changes."
And they're right. Change is the only constant in Las Vegas. Ours is a town that's always changing its face, always renewing itself.
Las Vegas in the 1960s was truly a 24-hour town. We could get our shoes repaired, or hair styled, or pick up dry cleaning around the clock. Even the service center at Gaudin Ford, located where the Stratosphere stands now, was open 24 hours.
We were night people, and we used the night to our advantage.
Traffic was never a problem in Las Vegas. You could drive from the Sahara to the Hacienda in about 15 minutes.
Our hub for shopping was Vegas Village in the Commercial Center, between Sahara Avenue and Karen Avenue, just west of Maryland Parkway. They featured name-brand merchandise for everything from tires to televisions to fashionable clothes. On one side of the store was a huge grocery market with a marvelous bakery. The foyer on the east side of the building housed a snack bar featuring a great hamburger, crispy fries and a coke for $1.77.
Shopping choices were few in the early '60s. Downtown on Fremont Street was Sears, J.C. Penney and Ronzoni's -- a locally owned department store. The hotels all had dress shops, but who could afford to shop there? Von Tobel's Hardware Store also was located downtown, and I remember everyone buying Christmas trees there. Later, Von Tobel relocated to Maryland Parkway and Karen, where the Las Vegas Athletic Club is now.
My first date with the man I married was at the Top of the Dunes. We enjoyed dinner and dancing to the music of Russ Morgan. Every hotel had valet parking, and the attendants were waiting for you when you drove up. Lines for anything were non-existent.
Las Vegas residents usually had comps to see a show. You simply walked up to the showroom entrance and gave the maitre d' your name. He checked his invited guest list, called you by name, and showed you to a table. The size of the tip was based on the placement of your table relative to the stage.
Even though Las Vegas always has been known for its entertainment, it was never famous for being a cultural oasis. I'm thrilled we have museums now, and theater, and many more venues for families to enjoy.
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