Video slots parlor coming to Wharfside
Panini isn’t the only place at Wharfside where de-construction is going on.
Remember the old Larry’s Landing? Here’s what it looks like today. The entire space has been gutted, and so have three other adjoining stores, making one huge space that we hear will become a sort of video slot machine hall with a bar. No one is talking much, but workers scrambling around in shirts that say Southland Gaming make it kind of obvious what’s going in here. Southland Gaming is the company that holds the lottery contract for St. Thomas and St. John. No matter what your opinion on this is, the big question is… who’s actually going to fill all those chairs gambling away the day when there’s a beautiful island outside to explore.
October 11th, 2007 06:19
Although I hate to see Larry’s go, one of my first memories of St John is shooting pool and drinking beer here while the girls went shopping on my first stop in St John on charter. It may not be all bad if we can figure out how to get all the cruise sheeple to go there and gamble instead of crowding up the beaches! If you can’t keep them out then you can always contain them.:) Maybee drink or drown special with there caribean cruise glasses?
Jay
October 11th, 2007 06:20
Video slot machine hall with a bar. All I can say is this is just down right “Sleazy”!
But on the positive side if STJ becomes a sleazy paradise maybe it will slow down the attack of big money buying up the land to strip mine, then bury under tons of cement.
October 11th, 2007 06:27
what an absolutely disgusting idea for st. john.
October 11th, 2007 06:45
What a shame - how incredibly tacky.
October 11th, 2007 06:59
yuk
October 11th, 2007 07:00
yuk.
October 11th, 2007 07:58
I’m sure the reason behind the love we ALL share for St John is because of its NATURAL beauty and that it is/was different than any other place. We (Bob & I) wouldn’t travel all this way (I am scared to death being in a plane) just to sit in front of a ‘video slot machine’….no we would take the senior bus and travel all the way to Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun here in good ole’ Connecticut……and NO We don’t do that either……..
October 11th, 2007 08:06
Yuk, yuk, and more yuk. It’s a shame whomever dreamed up this idea and let is pass doesn’t have more pride in and respect for their island.
October 11th, 2007 08:23
IMO if you have made it to St John you have already won the lottery! Imagine, sitting indoors and losing your money. No thanks!
October 11th, 2007 08:27
While I don’t agree with slots either, you can’t go hiking or to the beaches at night….unfortunately gaming is BIG business everywhere these days it seems, even in our little town in Ohio.
October 11th, 2007 09:26
It is truly a shame to see whats going on in cruz bay at wharfside. Ed must be really out of his mind or better yet, money is all he cares about.. this element will bring in all the losers who drink way to much, crackheads, loitering about,and overall make wharfside not a family enviroment at night. of course this is just my opinion.
October 11th, 2007 09:29
Yeah slot machines just doesn’t seem to “fit” with what St John is all about. I’m betting it’s not going to take off too well.
October 11th, 2007 10:14
Why do pro-gambling folks always refer to it as “gaming”? I hope they belly up inside of six months.
October 11th, 2007 10:17
Video-Slot machines??? Las Vegas coming to Cruz Bay?? The idea is downright revolting and in flagrant contrast to to the spirit and lifestyle of Saint John. The slot machine makers now have Macau, in the midst of a huge casino-builidng boom. Leave us alone and go Asian instead!!!
Hope the shares of the main slot-machine makers: International Game Technologies or IGT take a tumble!!! Yuk!
October 11th, 2007 11:00
While I’m not a “gaming” person myself, you might keep in mind that a lot of people are against alcohol too which is a HUGE business on STJ….you wouldn’t wish them belly up in 6 months I bet. I personally wouldn’t wish any business bad luck….think maybe we should all wait and see what is actually happening there before we put it down.
October 11th, 2007 12:01
YUK. I agree with Pam in commet 8. If we’re going to see “gaming”, why not add a McDonald’d and a Walmart while there’s still time! I just hope they never get rid of the Beach Bar.
If someone does not like the existing amenities (or lack thereof) and culture of a place, why do they visit and move there?
October 11th, 2007 12:31
Southland Gaming company is betting on who will fill those chairs are local residents and locals of West Indian descent, or aliens from other Caribbean islands, not stateside tourists! This is just another sleazy company like some development companies in stj with total disregard to the community. I doubt any money that is made is put back into the Stj community. Sad to say, I am sure they will do a good business and not go belly up in 6 months.
October 11th, 2007 13:48
Unbelievable!!
I am shocked that they would let this business take up a prime spot on island. I have been coming to STJ for over a decade. Is this what the local government wants people to see when they get off the ferry?? Really?
I am not against gaming, gambling, whatever you want to call it– been to VEgas many times. But I don’t go to Atlantic City for a reason.
STJ tourism isn’t down, why resort to such measures? Like others I think this will only serve to attract locals, get them hooked and ultimately weaken the local ecopnomy and drive already struggling families into greater poverty.
I think this is a bad PR move for STJ and smacks in the face of everything that this island is about.
One thing is for sure, I won’t be spending one dime at this establishment — not even for a soda.
Ultimately that’s the only way to ensure that a business doesn’t succeed. If the money doesn’t come in, it’s no longer a good business to operate.
The people have the power of the purse. Just spend your money elsewhere.
October 11th, 2007 14:49
This is a shame.
Not what I go to the caribbean for at all.
If it does in fact end up attracting sleazy characters (for want of a better description), I can’t imagine it helping the nearby businesses that depend on folks coming down from their villas and eating/drinking at their establishments.
I don’t care for the idea at all…
October 11th, 2007 16:23
I personally don’t want to walk through Wharfside Village and hear the sound of sirens and bells going off. I prefer the sound of the waves lapping the shore.
October 11th, 2007 16:44
There have been video machines at warfside for a while now. not 1 or 2, but like 20. They are not loud, and they are in bars. This makes little difference. Why can’t that Chesney idiot write a song about somplace else so you people go away!
October 11th, 2007 17:00
Whoa, Tortola, seems to me that tourism is STJ’s biggest industry and you want us to go away??? I do remember slots somewhere at Wharfside last year….Larry’s??? Don’t interest me so I didn’t really pay attention!! PS…been coming to STJ since way before KC sang about it.
October 11th, 2007 17:21
This is bad news. Let’s all boycott it.
October 11th, 2007 18:43
soon come… soon go…
October 11th, 2007 19:02
tsk…tsk…tsk…this is horrible…it is completely contrary to what STJ is all about. What is next neon signs and cheesey chain fast food joints. Heck let’s just rip down all of wharfside and put in a Long John Silvers…I mean its seafood right?
I don’t like the direction this is going….
October 11th, 2007 19:36
This is so disappointing…I was hoping that a strip joint would go into that space. Oh well.
October 11th, 2007 20:09
FYI, there is a Hooter’s going in on STT in Havensight. I am not happy about either place opening, but they come they go. I have worked at casinos and they definitely make their money from the poor who spend every last dime for the hope to strike it rich. The occasional gambler doesn’t add much to their profit. The slots on island don’t tend to be the ringing bell kind (that sound is like nails on a chalkboard to me now, but oh well), but are rather just video types. STJ history has not been too good to the locals on more than gambling and opening new progressive type places, so this is just another straw on the camel’s back. Don’t think it will break it, but it sure is disappointing. I certainly will not be adding to their profits. You can find me on Cinnamon with my feet in the water and my face to the sun.
October 11th, 2007 21:09
Sorry - but I do agree with Tortola in one respect - the Chesney idiots that now come to STJ. If I hear one more loudmouth come into Woody’s and squeal “Is Kenny here????!!!!” I think I may throw up. A new and unwelcome element IMHO.
Otherwise, not a big fan of a big room of those crappy gambling machines - so there ya go.
October 14th, 2007 07:29
First stepped on St. John in 1978, I’ve seen a lot of changes over the years that have saddened me. But when I step onto any one of the beautiful beaches or hike the trails all the changes don’t seem to matter, the heart of St. John still remains. Until they figure out how to build a high rise casino in Cinnamon Bay it all remains backwash.