LAS VEGAS -- Another shopping venue opened here, and this
Stripfront retail, entertainment and dining plaza packs a Hawaiian
punch.
Inspired by the International Marketplace in Honolulu, the $175
million, 80,000-square-foot Hawaiian Marketplace features the
architecture, colors and vegetation of the Polynesian islands.
The complex, which debuted May 25, is located on Las Vegas
Boulevard just south of Harmon Avenue and within walking distance
of the Bellagio and MGM Grand hotel-casinos.
From the Strip, visitors can meander along a sidewalk resembling
a Hawaiian boardwalk into a climate-controlled atrium, where cart
vendors create a market scene and the floors sport a shimmering,
wave-like pattern made from crushed blue glass and
mother-of-pearl.
Here, a re-creation of century-old banyan trees reach toward an
overhead canopy. Other island touches include tropical plants --
rare palms, bromeliads, hibiscus and bamboo.
There also stands a statue of King Kamehameha, the second one
outside of Hawaii officially sanctioned by the Royal Order of King
Kamehameha.
Entertainment is provided by Team Aloha, a Las Vegas-based
troupe of island performers who dance, tell stories and make
crafts, and a group of Samoan fire-knife dancers.
Visitors also can learn Tahitian dance and ancient and modern
forms of hula.
Hawaiian Marketplace was developed by Las Vegas-based Metroflag,
which was formed by Flag Luxury Properties of New York and Torino
Cos. of Las Vegas.
To contact reporter Amy Baratta, send e-mail to [email protected] .
From vittles to vows, new mall has it all
LAS VEGAS -- There's no money-back guarantee, but at the
recently opened Hawaiian Marketplace, congenial couples can pick up
a spouse.
Probably the most talked-about tenant, Weddings on the Strip, is
a chapel listed under the special services category of shops along
with the Polo Fitness Center and Aloha Services Center.
Other, comparatively prosaic, entries are stores selling gifts,
clothing and an eclectic variety of souvenirs, crafts and
clothing.
The following is a partial list of stores and restaurants, some
of which have not yet opened, that call the city's newest shopping
area home:
• Specialty retail: Crazy Eli/Fabulous Vegas,
Yokahama Okadaya Orange Green Fashion, Aloha Las Vegas, Glamour
Fashion, Moment For Ever and Aqua Planet.
• Food pavilion: Wahoo's Fish Tacos, TCBY/Mrs.
Fields/Pretzels &, Hamada, Lava Lounge, Cafe Capri, China Star
Super Buffet, Tabla and Coco's.
• Marketplace retail: Christian Design Apparel,
the Fortune Store, Puttin' on the Teeze, Las Vegas Spotlight,
Infinity Silver, Techno Art, Tropical Jewelers & Gifts, Zebra
Shoes, Island Store, Las Vegas Tobacco Co. and O2 Cool Oxygen
Bar.
Also, Las Vegas Charms, Co Beads/Illusion, Funky Beads,
Caricatures & Desert Fortunes, World of Watches, the Engraving
Station, Sun Catchers, Sparklean, Good Luck, Fountain of Youth
Solution, Rant N Rave, Ringmaster, Co Beads/Passion, Corona Zona,
Kleopatra's Treasures, Creative Edge, Shades of Paradise, Magiff
Nail Products, the Name Zone, Wild Flower, Cell Mart, Co
Beads/Divas, South Beach Style Maui-Wowee Gifts and Mag-Neato
Souvenirs.
• Ticket sales: Tix4Tonight. --
A.B.