Tonight we say good-bye to one of the last remaining icons of Vegas’ glory years.  From when the customer was king and the company tried to attract the customer.  To make their place something you would want to go into and explore.   That would be the MGM Grand Lion exhibit.  It’s closing tonight for the final time.  To be replaced with…  Yet, another high-end, over priced booty-call bar and restaurant.

Now this new bar is not to be confused with the new one that will replace the now defunct Studio 54.  Another hangover from the glory days that will be replaced with another trendy, over priced, over hyped, high-end booty call bar.

It just boggles the mind when you think about it.  That boardroom mentality of MGM and Caesars.  “If we make all our resorts look alike and have nothing to distinguish or to attract guests into our doors… if we tighten up the machines, lower the payouts and get rid of anything that is free, Maybe we can make more money!”  I mean, gambling is only allowed in like 30 other states, it’s not like we have competition from other places for the tourist dollar…    Do we??

The lion exhibit is the reason you wanted to go in and explore.  While you were in there, you may have spent some money and shopped or dined.  But now?? Why go in there?  You can gamble in 300 other joints in town.  Why should you go and explore this one?  To be amazed at what?  Another red velvet rope with some doorman looking for the hottest chicks and the guys willing to tip heavy to get to the head of the line??  Yea, that should bring in the tourists!!

Ok, maybe I am a bit jaded.  Or just anxious to get this winter doldrums out by inhaling fumes from burning rubber or get race car fuel into my system.  NASCAR is a little over a month away!!  I can’t wait!