Downtown Grand CEO Simms is out

http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/casinos-gaming/downtown-grand-ceo-out-after-less-year-the-job

After less than one year on the job, Jim Simms is no longer the CEO. In the press release they claim he achieved his one year goal ahead of schedule. I think this slightly reeks of some PR bullshit. You would think if all was well it would have been announced that there would be a transistion period like saying "We have met our goals and now Jeff Simms will be transitioning away from the job of CEO to be effective July 1." or something like that.

 

That guy was a disaster. He was the one who decided that they didn't want table games or players. I stayed there inn Oct. and spent my entire time gambling at he El Cortez. I wrote a long letter explaining that hiding the tables, only opening at 2 pm and then only having one 6 deck table was he road to ruin. I guess they finally got there a year ahead of schedule

 

Yes, he did achieve his one year goal of ruining the only chance the DTG had at making it downtown. Naturally they have to say positive things because they don't want to admit what a failure his decisions were. Their press release is basically double speak for "Simms screwed up the DTG so we want to get rid of him before he does more damage to the DTG".

 

They need some deep pockets involved to build out the block between the FSE and the DTG. Maybe put a bandstand off to one side two thirds of the way down to the DTG.

The DTG needs to become part of the FSE consortium.

It has to become seamless.

And then they have to have a compelling product in the casino when you get there.

That's the only way - the only way!

I can cure a dino-peptic germ too.

 

If that's true, then why does Main Street Station do so well?

If DTG just gave folks a fair gamble and quick cocktail, they would be golden...at least with me.

 

I'm not a slot or VP player so can't comment on their comps, but DTG did have 10x odds in craps and some 3/2 blackjack tables where surrender was offered. Drink service to me was pretty much on par to the other downtown places in my experience. And I live on the East Coast and was regularly getting free room offers for a while.

It is weird that are only one block away and yet so dead. Like RF said, creating something in that corridor leading from the D and Fremont would help. Speaking of which, what is directly across Fremont St from the D? Wouldn't that be a good place to build something new?

 

Agreed. That valley of nothing between the two is a hindrance. Is there a viable way to link the two?

I think MSS benefits from word of mouth, time, and good food/beer (777). Probably not being a standalone players club like DTG helps too.

 

I think MSS and the Cal do well because they have a Hawaiian contingent so they have people regularly visiting their casinos and going between the FSE and the Cal. Doesn't hurt that they offer 20x odds at craps. The fremont is also tied to the FSE so that gives Boyd a tie in with the FSE.

As for the DTG, no, they can try to offer better gambling and lower minimums but it may be too late for that, people are already turned off by them. The proposal to tie them into the FSE might be their only hope right now. I would probably recommend some way of revitalizing that area from the FSE to the DTG, probably adding another canopy or at least having something to bring people to that area. Moving some vendors to that area would help but they need to brighten and light up that area so people want to also visit. Possibly having another band area that is close to the DTG and bringing in groups that will entice customers to visit the area and the DTG. The DTG desperately needs some help or else I fear they may not be long with us.

 

Because its full of Hawaiians shipped in on charter flights. And because it has a well established repeat clientele that appreciates its compelling offering.

 

How quickly can you transfer out of Royal Canadian Veeblefetzer and start as as CEO at dtg? Surely jimmy poon can cover for you or would he be your assistant?

 

This can only help DTG, we stayed there last April and I thought they were doing much better. The casino was doing much better then previous visits, the bar was full every night, and the tables were busy. In November after they screwed up everyone's comps, it was dead, music sucked and no vibe at all.

 

Excellent idea!

 

There goes our dollar at par promotion ...

- - - Updated - - -

By January the tables were back on the main floor. Not sure of the hours as we did not play there other than VP anyway.

 

Boyd has a loyalty program across many casinos to bring in interest, including a sister property on Fremont Street. They have the aforementioned marketing to Hawaiian travellers, and they are also pretty darn aggressive with their VP and craps offerings.
DTG could try to match their games rules, but they would still be a less known brand, without a loyalty program to bring in business from sister properties, or a pipeline of travellers from one spot.

To me, the real problem the DTG has will be space. Yes, they need good games running all the time so their guests stay and play. But what would really help would be a destination restaurant or bar or attraction within their main casino building, and they just don't have a lot of room for it without robbing from the casino floor space. They need something so cool, people come out to see it, and then they play while they are there.

Or they could just make the CDN at par permanent, an Air Canada tie in, and a sports book showing lots of hockey and curling

 

Well, that's good news. I might actually go back then. I received a rather strange offer in the mail stating "complimentary nights available" Huh? It doesn't say how many nights or type of room or what days. I've never received anything like that from a casino. are they still charging for valet?

 

I didn't use the valet, so can't confirm. Thought I read it was now free for guests but we self parked anyway (which was free for guests)

 

Really? they allowed you to self park in the lot across the street? I thought that it was all for valet. so how does that work, do you have to show your room key or will they give you a card or something indicating you are a guest at the DTG?

 

You self park in the garage on the other side of Ogden. You get a ticket on the way in, and then front desk puts a bar code sticker on it. After that you use the same ticket to scan in/out.

All in all worked fairly well, other than that garage not having the most convenient pedestrian exits. Think there is only one elevator, it is old, and at the Ogden/4th end of the garage. Stairs on the 3rd street side with a lovely urine smell. By the bouquet I'd say it was the 2014. Very good year.

But there was tons of space when we were there (a Sun/Mon in Jan) so stairs were not too bad.

 

Yeah, I don't get why people rag on Downtown Grand. The property is great looking, I really like the casino footprint, rooms are very nice (not Golden Nugget nice), but better than their neighbors.
Stewart and Odgen, Pizza Rock, and Tripple George grill are great restaurants. Hell even the redone pool deck was pretty cool (except overpriced food) . My last trip there, I got great service on slot floor and bar.
Food and room were awesome. Staff were nothing but friendly and I won money. I really hope they fix whatever the financial problem is there, I like the place and I am visiting again on a pretty good comp offer next trip.

 

when they pulled BJ tables and/or mixed in 6/5 BJ where they used to have 3:2 blackjack is when they lost me. If I recall correctly (and I may not), they made their DD BJ game 3:2. It was a $15 day game and $25 at night. I really enjoyed that table. I liked playing and staying there, but I honestly don't want to have to guess which BJ table is the 3:2 table. It would be one thing if it were the only casino in town, but there are plenty of downtown options where we don't have to put up with that.
DTG has done many things wrong since re-opening. Bad VP payouts, then monkeying with blackjack. They started off on the wrong foot with the player and haven't seemed to be able to right that ship. I didn't even go in my last two visits to vegas.
Hoping they can find a way to turn it around, because I do like the property.