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Casino proposed for downtown Sacramento

Sookie

WELL KNOWN MEMBER
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BY BOB SHALLIT AND RYAN LILLIS
bshallit@sacbee.com

The owner of downtown Sacramento’s historic Elks Tower is hoping to open what he’s calling an upscale, three-level casino and lounge in the 14-story building on J Street.

Steve Ayers said Monday he has submitted an application with the city of Sacramento for a conditional-use permit to operate the Elks Casino, along with a lounge, bar, restaurant and other amenities, including a “spirits library” where guests can order rare vintage beverages.

Also planned is a port and chocolate area in the building’s lowest level.

“This is going to be a unique, elegant place, a destination for people to go to 24 hours a day,” said Ayers, who ran Armour Steel until shutting down the business earlier this year. He likened the 8,000-square-foot operation to the luxury Wynn resort in Las Vegas, saying it will have “an upscale atmosphere and ambiance.

The total investment for the venture from Ayers and his partners, who he is not yet identifying: “Certainly in the millions,” he said.

If city approvals are granted, he said, the new business could be open within 18 months.

As he described it, visitors would enter the casino on the 11th Street side of the building, where the Railbridge Cellars & Co. restaurant is located. They would then walk down one level to the card room area, a space that now includes a swimming pool that has not been used in several decades.

A lower-level area would house the port and chocolate venue, which Ayers said will target theatergoers, and the spirits “library,” which could include centuries-old brandies and other rare alcoholic beverages purchased at auction.

“It’s our business model to acquire them,” he said of those sorts of products, providing another upscale draw for conventioneers and other visitors in the downtown area.

Ayers said he is in contract to purchase the card room permit owned by the operators of the former Casino Royale inside the Red Lion Woodlake Hotel in North Sacramento. The owners of that permit included William Blanas – son of former Sacramento County Sheriff Lou Blanas – and Sacramento attorney James Kouretas.

Casino Royale was shut down in 2014 by the California Bureau of Gambling Control after it was accused of failing to pay off winnings it owed customers. Blanas agreed in February to pay a $228,980 fine and $146,020 in court and investigation costs to the state, according to a settlement agreement.

The City Council in the past has shown reluctance to permit card rooms downtown.

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Mben

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... , including a “spirits library” where guests can order rare vintage beverages.

Also planned is a port and chocolate area in the building’s lowest level. ...

Sounds super nice. :)
 
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