Great news for all who believe in the revitalization of Fremont Street.  Tony Hsieh, the head of Zappos and the Downtown Project, has bought the old 7-11 building at Fremont and Las Vegas Blvd.

Hsieh saved the Zick and Sharp designed City Hall from the wrecking ball when city officials decided to build and move into new digs located on Fourth Street.  Zappos taking over the old building saved the building from falling victim to another strip mall or worse.

Now word comes that Hsieh's Downtown Project has plans for the old 7-11.  In the 1930s the corner housed a Dollar store (yes, they were popular seventy years ago with Depression-era shoppers as they are today) run by an Asian family.

When I was growing up, it housed a Sheriff's sub-station.  When the substation closed, 7-11 took over.  It was popular with tourists and locals.  Unfortunately, it was popular with a rougher crowd as well.

For too many years, it has been empty.  The economic meltdown seemed to be the final nail in the hopes of reviving the building.  Over the years, there were hopes for nightclub, restaurant and bakery.  Those hopes were all dashed.

But now, that hope re-emerges.  The Downtown Project, working with Michael Cornthwaite, owner of the Downtown Cocktail Lounge located next door the empty building, hopes to revitalize the building and turn it into a gathering place for community groups.

There's a lot of history on Fremont Street.  It was once lined with homes and non-casino businesses.  It was the first street paved back in the day and the first traffic light was on the corner where the 7-11 stands today.

We welcome Tony Hsieh, Zappos and the Downtown Project to Fremont Street and we look forward to the future!

Thanks to Mary-Margaret Stratton for use of the photo.

Nevada State Parks is co-sponsoring with Friends of the Fort a family event called “Western Day” at the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park on Saturday, March 31, 2012. 

The event will be held from 10:00am-5:00pm. The Fort is located at 500 East Washington Avenue (Washington Avenue & Las Vegas Blvd) in Las Vegas, NV, 89101. Tickets will be $7 per person, and 5 years and under will be admitted for free.

The Western Day event will be a celebration of Nevada’s frontier heritage and will showcase Western-themed activities and entertainment. The Fort will provide the “old west” background for events that will emphasize the cowboy era (1860-1915).

The event will begin at 10:00am with an opening ceremony and Native American songs. The winner of five International Wild West Art Awards, LOOP RAWLINS, will perform his legendary Trick Roping skills at 1:00pm.

The WATER STONE BUNCH from Pahrump, Nevada, who won awards for their cowboy reenacting, will perform skits and gun fights at 11:00am, 2:00pm and 4:00pm. Enjoy a blend of outlaw country and a little western swing when the band Whiskey Revival performs at 2:30pm.

There will be various Living History Exhibits, including Blacksmithing Demonstrations, Mountain Men, Gatling Guns and a Cowboy Laundress Encampment. The Las Vegas Mustang Car Club will also be in attendance with their classic Mustang cars. 

Western Day will offer family activities and games for children. There will be Pony Rides, Calf Roping, Children’s Crafts, Games and a Bounce House. Don a bandana and cowboy hat to have a family Western Photo taken. Watch Old Western Movies in the theater. Visit informational booths to learn about 4-H and Horses4Heroes.

Vendors will showcase a variety of merchandise for sale.  We will have BBQ and Hispanic Foods, Cotton Candy, Snow Cones, Drinks and much more and at reasonable old-fashioned prices.

There will be Raffle Prizes. Raffle tickets will be $1 each or $5 for 6 tickets. Anyone who attends the event wearing a Cowboy Hat will receive a free raffle ticket.

Friends of the Fort is a Nevada non-profit 501©3 organization that is dedicated to the preservation of the site of the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park, where “Las Vegas Began”. The proceeds from the Western Day fundraiser will be used for programs and projects at the Fort.