The Downtown Container Park – Where Everyone Has a Story
Strolling through a city block piled three-stories high with repurposed shipping containers – amongst laughing children, chattering adults, live music and the addicting waft of mesquite barbeque – it’s hard to believe we just stepped off the streets of what was once considered a virtual no man’s land. Our first time visiting the new Downtown Container Park at 707 Fremont Street was anything but. The buzz and energy within the 20,000 square feet of boutiques, restaurants, bars and giant tree house (also fashioned from reborn cargo containers) was tangible, and the genuine pleasure of the inhabitants – many of whom are local artisans calling this a “first” location – endearing. The newest addition to the beatnik business mash-up that are the Fremont East and Arts Districts in Downtown Las Vegas caters more to locals, and is a sign of good things to come.
The Secret
I’m not sure how this “new” downtown has managed to collect so much momentum. The generosity of Zappos’ Tony Hsieh and the relocation of the company’s headquarters were unquestionably a good start, but there’s much more to the magic than the boutiques, restaurants or bars in the area. The most refreshing sip I took from the Downtown Container Park was not of a crisp white at Bin 702 (although it was tasty). Rather, it was the energy of people like Bin’s resident “Wine Goddess” Kat, an experienced, yet unpretentious sommelier who took the time to tell us her story, sending us off with a hug despite just meeting us. See, every store we walked into had a tale to tell – its own little quirk –and it’s the people and the stories behind this downtown transformation that truly make it pop.
The Stores and The Stories
The Container Park is a hodgepodge of more than 30 different establishments ranging from art galleries like Blackbird Gallery (www.blackbirdstudioslv.com), to home furnishings to a store dedicated completely to women’s leggings.
BluMarble (www.blumarble.com) was the first store we entered, drawn in by distressed wood crates and the unmistakable air of hipster funky. What we found inside was a pleasant surprise – walls, crates and tables filled with repurposed bottles in the form of glasses, vases, jewelry and more. At first glance the store is a gifter and decorator’s dream filled with artfully flattened wine bottles destined to do double duty as both conversation starter and Brie and cracker platter. Yet a brief chat at the checkout counter uncovers a Matryoshka doll of interesting stories. The co-owners, Jennifer Jordan and Rachel Cohen, were repurposing queens who became both disturbed and inspired by the amount of glass discarded nightly by local casinos, restaurants and events. The pair began “rescuing” the post-drunk misfits to give them new life in the form of something beautiful and reusable. Knowing that each bottle of Grey Goose Vodka-turned-vase has its own story from lone potato to wild bachelor party (and that the bottles saved annually by the business can power a computer for 10 years) brings the store to a whole new level of cool, and fits in perfectly with the old-to-new-again vibe of the park.
On our way down the row of what we effectively forgot were shipping containers (they don’t look much like the real deal after drywall and décor) we were summoned by the smell of jerky. Not your average jerky, mind you, but beef, turkey and even prickly pear cactus vegetarian versions found at JoJo’s Jerky (www.jojosjerky.com). Greeted with a smile and a sample (score!) we discovered JoJo’s namesake happens to be the CTT (Chief Taste Tester) and close family friend of the owner. When he started his taste-testing career, he was just six years old and apparently had quite the distinguished palette, trying every flavor and providing sound feedback for improvement. As a frequent car traveler and self-proclaimed jerky junky, I must say the product was delicious. I was also impressed by the assortment of spiced nuts wrapped in brown paper and innocently (I’m sure) dubbed Nut Sacks, as well as the dry rub assortments sourced from local ingredients.
And so it continued from 702 DTLV (www.702dtlv.com), a First Friday regular co-owned by Melissa – a local wife, mother and jewelry maker with a passion for transforming Downtown Las Vegas – to GabyOlivia (www.gabyoliviaboutique.com), an eclectic boutique named after the daughter of one co-owner and future daughter of the other. Even the giant, fire breathing praying mantis that greets you at the entrance has a story. Just ask around and most everyone will be happy to share it.
At the end of the day the Downtown Container Park is an outdoor mall, but it’s really more than that. It’s an idea that a previously underutilized portion of the city we love can be renovated into a hotspot for art, culture, music and entrepreneurship for visitors AND locals alike. It’s worth a trip to find a new world of local people who are “doing” things.
The “Deets”
Along with shops, the Container Park also boasts a few small (and somewhat pricey), restaurants including Pork & Beans (www.porkmelv.com), Big Ern’s BBQ (www.bigernsbbq.com), Pinches Tacos (www.pinchestacos.com) and Simply Pure (www.chefstaceydougan.com) for our vegan and gluten-free friends. For a local cocktail you can visit The Boozery (www.theboozerylv.com) and Bin702 (www.bin702.com) for fine wine.
A children’s play area with high-tech games and a full-sized tree house fitted with three, adult friendly slides makes the location family-friendly during the day, while a large stage for live music and performances allows for evening fun for the over 21 crowd (the park closes to minors at 9:00pm.)
For more information on the shops, hours of operation and information on renting out the space for events visit www.downtowncontainerpark.com.
Jan.10 – Jan.12
It’s been a long week! How about getting out this weekend and discovering fun events in your neighborhood? We’ve got the top events around town this week in our Picks in the Zips.
Friday, January 10
RED by John Logan [All Play]
www.onyxtheater.com
- Where: Onyx Theater, 953 E. Sahara Avenue
- When: 8 p.m.
- How Much: $20
Poor Richard’s Players will challenge both artist and audience with their production of John Logan’s Tony Award winning play, RED. Performs at The Onyx Theatre: January 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 24 & 25 at 8pm with a 2pm matinee on Sunday, January 19th
Truett Hurst/Martin Family Winery Wine Tasting with Jeff Hurst [Summerlin]
http://www.totalwine.com/eng/event/40962
- Where: Total Wine, 730 S. Rampart Blvd.
- When: Noon to 6 p.m.
- How Much: Free
The Martin Family Vineyards and Truett Hurst Winery were born from a commitment to family and love of fine wine. Their wine-making philosophy is to use only fruit from extraordinary vineyards in order to produce extraordinary wines. Small-lot production, distinct hand-crafting and sustainable vineyard practices, enables Martin Family Vineyards and Truett Hurst Winery to produce these special wines. Please join Jeff Hurst, for an exciting tasting of these unique, hand-crafted wines.
The Rock-N-Roll Rebels [All Play]
www.downtowncontainerpark.com
- Where: The Downtown Container Park, 707 Fremont Street
- When: 8 p.m.
- How Much: Free
It’s time for you to check out the new Downtown Container Park! As the name may imply, this band plays Rock ‘n Roll music. But make no mistake about it… these guys and gals ain’t your average cover band from Las Vegas. In fact, after seeing the Rock ‘n Roll Rebels play one of their trademark shows, you’ll swear you’ve just been to one of the most amazing concerts you’ve ever seen!
Saturday, January 11
Strikes for Scholarships [All Play]
www.ecflv.squarespace.com
- Where: South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa
- When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- How Much: $35
The Epicurean Charitable Foundation will honor National Mentorship Month with the inaugural Strikes for Scholarships bowling tournament. Participants may sign up to bowl individually, as a team or bid to play with notable, participating celebrities. Visit www.ecflv.squarespace.com for more information.
Kids in the Kitchen [All Play]
www.pizzarocklasvegas.com
- Where: Pizza Rock Las Vegas, 201 N. Third Street
- When: Starts at 10 a.m.
- How Much: $10
Curiosity created the cook! Pizza Rock kicks off Kids in the Kitchen, a weekly series where kids are the chefs. Parents and their children will learn everything from handling the dough to topping the pizza and cooking it to perfection. Call 385-0838 for info.
Coin, Currency, Jewelry, Postcard and Stamp Show [All Play]
shows.bickinternational.com
- Where: Circus-Circus Hotel, 2880 Las Vegas Blvd.
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- How Much: Free
Join dealers buying and selling millions of dollars of merchandise in all categories including gold, silver, platinum, precious gems, all types of jewelry, pennies to silver bullion to gold dollars and collectors supplies. Visitwww.shows.bickinternational.com for more information.
Sunday, January 5
Miss Nevada and Miss Nevada Teen USA [All Play]
- Where: Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall – UNLV, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
- When: 7 p.m.
- How Much: Tickets start at $45
Watch the crowning of Miss Nevada USA at this annual event, hosted by Chet Buchanan and Alyssa Capanella. Performances include Brett Young.
Bottomless Mimosas at Sammy’s [All Play]
www.sammyspizza.com
- Where: Henderson | 1501 N. Green Valley Pkwy.
Summerlin | 6500 W. Sahara - When: All Day
- How Much: $10
What’s better than bottomless mimosas and breakfast pizza? Have a perfect Sunday Funday to close out your weekend at Sammy’s!
Looking for more? Check out our Circle the Date events calendar!
Shop Around for Advertising Using the Cost Per Thousand Method
Shopping around. It’s smart, necessary to run a successful business, and just makes sense all around. We all want the best deal on everything we purchase, so before we put down our hard earned money we shop around to make sure we get the best price. Now, with access to the internet at our fingertips at all times, we can simply type in information about a product we are looking for and with a mere keystroke get the best prices available. Shoppers are more informed than ever before with a method that works great for physical products like computers, cars and washing machines…but how do you shop around when you decide you need to invest in advertising? If two ad sales representatives are standing in front of you, both holding a similar looking product in their hands, how do you determine which is giving you the best value?
I hear of this dilemma frequently from business owners I work with, and unfortunately many times it comes down to whatever price the sales rep is quoting. However, it’s not always the case that the lower “price” is the best value. A simple formula that professional advertising agencies and media buyers use daily (but most business owners who purchase their own advertising aren’t aware of) is called Cost Per Thousand (CPM…”M” stands for mille which is Latin for thousand). The CPM is the “Great Equalizer” that puts the base price of advertising on an even playing field, so a business owner can make an informed decision.
No need to break out the fancy calculator. The CPM is straightforward, reflecting the cost for your ad to reach 1000 potential advertisers. To figure the CPM all you need to do is take the cost of the ad and divide it by the distribution (thousands only).
For example, if an ad costs $1000 and the distribution is 23,000 here’s what you do:
1. Divide $1000 by 23.
Yep, that’s it. What does it mean? It means your cost to reach 1000 potential customers is $43.47. Using the CPM, the base value when comparing advertising will become very apparent to you.
I mention advertising base value because, just like add-ons to other products, there are added value features in advertising that you must also take into account when considering the full value of your advertising. The quality of the publication, brand awareness, direct mail vs. rack distribution, in state vs. out of state distribution and readership numbers all add to the value of that base number.
Buying advertising doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark if you ask the right questions and use CPM to ensure you are getting the best value for the money you are spending.
Jan. 3 – Jan. 5
It’s been a long week! How about getting out this weekend and discovering fun events in your neighborhood? We’ve got the top events around town this week in our Picks in the Zips.
Friday, January 3
First Friday [All Play]
www.firstfridaylasvegas.com
- Where: Arts District – Downtown Las Vegas
- When: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- How Much: Free
Walk the streets of the emerging Downtown Arts District while experiencing a vast array of art, people watching, live music, street performances and more. A Vegas institution since 2002, don’t miss supporting our avant garde local artists and shop owners.
Comedy Night at M Resort [South]
www.themresort.com
- Where: Ravello @ The M Resort, 12300 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
- When: 9 p.m.
- How Much: No cover with two-drink minimum purchase
Head to the Ravello Lounge for a good laugh at January Comedy Nights at M Resort. The stand-up night will feature headline comedians seen on television and from national tours. Doors open at 9 pm; no cover with two drink minimum purchase.
Zowie Bowie [West]
www.redrock.sclv.com
- Where: Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, 11011 West Charleston Boulevard
- When: 10 p.m.
- How Much: No Cover
Chris Phillips brings his unique blend of today’s hottest dance, hip-hop and Top 40 music to audiences at Rocks Lounge every Friday!
Saturday, January 4
UNLV Rebels Basketball host Air Force [All Play]
www.unlvrebels.com
- Where: Thomas & Mack Center
- When: 7 p.m.
- How Much: Varies
The UNLV men’s basketball team, which has won seven straight games – all by at least 13 points and by an average of 20.2 ppg – will open the home portion of its Mountain West schedule on Saturday, Jan. 4, at 7 p.m. against Air Force at the Thomas & Mack Center.
Kids in the Kitchen [All Play]
www.pizzarocklasvegas.com
- Where: Pizza Rock Las Vegas, 201 N. Third Street
- When: Starts at 10 a.m.
- How Much: $10
Curiosity created the cook! Pizza Rock kicks off Kids in the Kitchen, a weekly series where kids are the chefs. Parents and their children will learn everything from handling the dough to topping the pizza and cooking it to perfection. Call 385-0838 for info.
“Stars and Stardust: Sidewalk Astronomy in the Neon Boneyard” [All Play]
www.neonmuseum.org
- Where: The Neon Museum
- When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- How Much: Free
After enjoying the neon lights of the Boneyard, astronomy-lovers have the opportunity to potentially view the comet ISON and Jupiter with equipment provided by the LV Astronomical Society. Registration is free. Email education@neonmuseum.org.
Sunday, January 5
Bluegrass in the Park [West]
www.lasvegasnevada.gov/ward5
- Where: Lorenzi Park, 3333 W. Washington Ave
- When: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- How Much: Free
Enjoy an afternoon of Bluegrass and acoustic music at the bandshell within Lorenzi Park.
Bottomless Mimosas at Sammy’s [All Play]
www.sammyspizza.com
- Where: Henderson | 1501 N. Green Valley Pkwy.
Summerlin | 6500 W. Sahara - When: All Day
- How Much: $10
What’s better than bottomless mimosas and breakfast pizza? Have a perfect Sunday Funday to close out your weekend at Sammy’s!
Looking for more? Check out our Circle the Date events calendar!
