LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Terrible’s assumed management of several Primm properties on July 1 and confirmed that all were reopened by July 2, just ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend. The company gained management control of all three Primm casino properties at 12:01 a.m. on July 5 and said it expects to announce a reopening date for Primm Valley Casino soon.
MORE ON FOX5: Terrible’s takes over Primm casino operations after Affinity Interactive exit
Gas, lotto, and travel services restored
Terrible’s took over management of the Primm Center, Chevron Gas Station, Flying J, Whiskey Pete’s Travel Store, Lotto Store and Starbucks on July 1. The company said it offered employment to every Primm team member and retained and onboarded 100% of those who wished to stay — approximately 300 people. On-site employee housing also remained open during the transition.
Travelers stopping on Monday found the Chevron busy with drivers fueling up and employees restocking shelves.
“We have a kid, so this was our only stop before getting to Vegas,” said Jada Carrillo, a traveler. “So if we didn’t have this, we probably would have had, you know, no water, couldn’t change the baby, things like that.”
Casino properties under new management
Terrible’s said it gained management control of Primm Valley Casino, Buffalo Bill’s Casino and Whiskey Pete’s Casino at 12:01 a.m. on July 5. The company said Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s had already been closed by prior operators before the management transition. Primm Valley Casino was the only casino property open before the handover, and Terrible’s said its immediate focus is reopening that property in the coming weeks.
Longer-term plans for Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s are still being finalized, the company said. Terrible’s said it and the Primm family share a commitment to investment, infrastructure improvements, enhanced amenities and new experiences at the properties.
Former operator cites financial losses, two-year negotiation
The transition follows an announcement by former operator Affinity Interactive on May 5 that it would shut down gas station, lotto store, and casino operations by the July 4 holiday weekend.
In a statement released July 5, Affinity said discussions between its subsidiary The Primadonna Company, LLC, and the Primm landlord regarding the property lease began more than two years ago, conducted alongside a comprehensive third-party valuation process and market outreach.
Affinity said the property had been losing between $10 million and $15 million per year and that the Primm landlord was unwilling to reduce rent to a sustainable level.
“TPC determined that the economics of the Primm leasehold interest were no longer viable, and the Primm landlord was not willing to reduce the rent for the Primm property to a sustainable amount,” Affinity said. “The Primm property was a cash drain of approximately $10-15 million per year for many years, and there was no commercially rational basis to continue investing in the property or to support its continued operations financially.”
Affinity also noted a prior relationship with the Herbst family, saying the two parties worked together during the Herbst Gaming bankruptcy restructuring more than a decade ago. In that process, Affinity said, The Primadonna Company preserved jobs and revitalized the Primm properties.
“It’s unfortunate that the Primm location has become obsolete and the Primm landlord did not work with TPC on an economically rational solution,” Affinity said.
Affinity said it extended its appreciation to the Nevada Gaming Control Board for its collaboration and guidance throughout the process, and wished the Herbst family success with the Primm properties.
Primm family disputes Affinity’s account
Cory Clemetson, president of the Primm South Real Estate Company and grandson of Primm founder Ernie Primm, disputed Affinity’s characterization in a statement.
“We disagree with that assessment from our former tenant,” Clemetson said. “Consider the source. This is the same company that made the ill-advised decision to lay off more than 300 Nevadans on our nation’s 250th anniversary. That would have shut down this crucial gateway to Southern Nevada at the worst possible time, been an embarrassment to our state, and created a tremendous hardship for everyone involved. That’s all you need to know about their credibility.”
What comes next
Terrible’s said it plans to share an expected Primm Valley Casino opening date soon. The company said its longer-term vision includes restoring, enhancing, and reenergizing the Primm properties, with additional details to be announced as plans develop.
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