By PAUL JONES
PVT
The Pahrump Town Board voted unanimously at its July 14 meeting to have the town staff begin investigating the possibility of purchasing The Kingdom Gentleman’s Club from the strip-club’s owner, Joe Richards.
Town Manager Bill Kohbarger said in a prepared statement that the town had received numerous complaints about the castle-style club, located on the corner of Highway 160 and Homestead Road in Pahrump.
The complaints, according to Kohbarger, centered around the fact that the kingdom is one of the first prominent buildings that people see upon entering Pahrump if they are traveling from Las Vegas.
Kohbarger went on to say representatives of the town had been introduced to Richards by a “prominent town of Pahrump businessman,” who approached them with the idea of the town, in conjunction with Nye County, potentially purchasing the property.
That prominent business man was Tom Saitta, co-owner of the Saitta-Trudeau car dealership and owner of Tommasino’s restaurant, and he echoed Kohbarger’s view that the purchase of the Kingdom would create a better atmosphere for people traveling to Pahrump along Highway 160.
“The one thing I hate, whenever I come back into town from Las Vegas, is that view that I see when I come up on that strip-joint,” said Saitta.
Saitta went on to explain that he believed if the town purchased the building, it could be renovated to act as a tourist center and possibly also serve as new offices for both the town administrative staff and the Chamber of Commerce.
“I think the town staff and the town office building could be moved in there, which would allow the town office building to be sold to offset the cost of this new building,” Saitta said. “The chamber could move into the building. They pay rent now, they could pay rent in the new building.”
The suggestion to purchase The Kingdom was met with strong support from several local business owners present at the meeting, including Bill Lokin, owner of Pahrump Valley Winery and Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Dan Rodriquez.
“The Kingdom is an eyesore,” said Lokin, whose wine-making business and restaurant receive 75,000 to 100,000 visitors a year who have to make the trip from Las Vegas to Pahrump along the Highway 160 corridor.
“I secured two billboards earlier this year on Highway 160, as you drive into town. Many of you will notice that my sign says ‘turn at Rainbow,’ That was for one reason and one reason only, and it’s because of The Kingdom.”
But the possibility that the town might purchase the strip club was not welcomed by all local business owners, including Harley Kulkin. Kulkin said, while he agreed that the building is an eyesore, he does not want to see the town pay for it.
“If you take over that building you’ve just got another liability. We’re laying teachers off. People can’t find work, but you’re going to buy another building?” said Kulkin. “The problem with this town, like our whole country, is the average American can’t find a decent-paying job. And until we bring in a strong job market in this town, this town will never amount to nothing.”
Pahrump Resident Don Cox was also vehemently against the possibility that Pahrump might purchase the property.
“If the business owners want this building, then they should buy it, not the town of Pahrump,” said Cox. “I agree that The Kingdom, something should be done about it, but I don’t think the taxpayers of Nye County should be footing the bill for it.”
With public comment closed, the board voted 4-0 to allow further investigation by the town into the possible purchase. Nicole Shupp was absent.
The Kingdom is a cheap-looking tacky building, suitable for a not-so-high-class strip club. With its silly little towers and overall architecture, it is not the professional building one would want the town to acquire, and I doubt the town would want to modify it.
The town SHOULD NOT buy the Kingdom Strip Club.
It doesn’t bother me. I’ve never heard anyone complain about it.
I don’t frequent the place .. I drive to Las Vegas early in the
morning and come back in the evening I NEVER see any cars parked
in the lot (well maybe one or two) Even on the weekend there’s
not a lot of “traffic” at that place.
If it’s in dire straits (as many businesses are) then let it die
on the vine…
It won’t be missed
One question,can a story appear in the Pahrump Valley Times without a quote from Donna Cox? In this instance I agree with her and Kulkin.
Let the place go bankrupt, then the bank can sell it to the business men who want to use our money. The eye is an example of complete waste of money. The old building was partially remodeled (e.g. roof half done). The new building looks no higher than the one that was torn down. Stop wasting money.
How about in stead of wasting money on the Kingdom, the town spend money on the fire department! Those firefighters work so hard and put there safety at risk everyday for us! I am tired of seeing the town manager and board make such stupid decisions.
Then I suggest Steve that you make sure you do not vote for any of the present town board members who are running this November. Four voted to consider this boondoggle and 1 was absent but I think we can safely say Nicole Shupp would have gone along with the others. Get rid of all of them.
At the very least all Town Board Members should be drug tested every 2 weeks for even considering this purchase of The Kingdom.
Actually john have you talked to Nicole, obviously not but I have. She thinks this is a complete waste of money. I think you need to check your facts before jumping to conclusions. I say let the County buy it if they really want it since Joe built it to mock the county commisioners, or let private buisiness men buy it.
Instead of buying the “Kingdom” let’s be wise and saves some lives! We need more intersection lights. I understand we aren’t incorporated, but, if we can spend millions on the “Eye” now the “Kingdom” What kind of people are going to run this “City” When spending frivolously. Let think about who lives here, where the money comes from.
Pahrump Valley Blvd. and Hwy 372
S Blagg Rd and Hwy 372
S Dandelion St and Hwy 160
E Calvada Blvd and Hwy 160
Whoever has an ear let them HEAR.
Why don”t Tom S. buy it and put his restruant in there.
This does not pass the smell test. Something is very, very wrong with this proposal.
Yep…depends on who’s nose is sniffing? Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Make it a gay club for the guys!
It’s real close to home….UKM
We love the Nose Sniffers that live up on the “HILL” from US down on the bottom….
But,you won’t know what the bottom is until you lose. If you win …we shall depart.
HARLEY,
Where are U?
Don’t just disappear?
How many time have U been beaten?
Me: 2 Times….just get up and respond…?
Get up!
DRO
And, Maybe I and others hate to see Saitia’s car crap on the billboards
..this is just a front joint for ….? get it?
Please…. just buy Richards out and give this legit place a new porno joint to the Sherrif…
Law Enforcement will have a place to have a smoke or?
We us all taxpayers will be happy to give ATD a place to stop on “his” way home in the new CHARGER~! Wahooooo!@
DRO
Typical steps in Pahrump
Step 1: Approve building permits for Kingdom which showed a stripper pole
Step 2: Approve Liquor License for Kingdom
Step 3: Approve Business License for Kingdom
Step 4: Complain Complain Complain
Step 5: Buy the Building
Step 6: Tear down the building
Step 7: Have ugly corner being first thing seen
Step 8: Complain Complain Complain
Step 9: Move down the street
Step 10: Go back to Step 1
Is there no common sense left?
Just because some people are embarrassed that this town’s roads and infrastructure was paid for by the sex industry doesn’t mean we now have to get rid of any traces of the same.
What upsets me most is when people move here knowing full well what is provided here and then instantly try to change the town… for the kids sakes. If you are so embarrassed then I suggest you move to Las Vegas. Oops, there’s a sex industry there too. Maybe you should have stayed in California?
Pahrump has an infamous history of being a whorehouse town. So what. It’s time this “hicksville” grew up, cleaned itself off, and made itself into decent community. A place where moral and respectable Americans can be proud to call home. We need to politically overcome the perverts, and the people who ignorantly think perversion has the “constitutional right” to a prominent place in this town and county. God have mercy on us all!
my sentiment exactly
I just read a story that we have to charge kids to play in school sports but we have enough money to buy the kingdom because a couple of buisnessmen dont want the kingdom seen as people come to town. This from a town that is talking about liscensing a new brothel. So its okay to pay for sex as long as the girls dont take their clothes off. Lets try not to be this big of hypocrites, Please.
As many have mentioned the eye sore that affects Pahrump are the gaudy bill boards that line Hwy 160 and the entire town. I think everyone knows that Terribles has food and gaming. We don’t need 7 or 8 huge billboards to point that out. The huge sign advertising the Willow Creek Golf course, come on it’s been closed for 3 years. Tear down the billboards, plant trees and shrubbs. We want the kids to pay for extracurricular activities but we have nothing for them to do in this town, thus crime and drugs run a vicious cycle. We closed the Skate Zone, we closed the only movie venue at Saddle West. A movie theater has been coming soon at the Nugget for several years and no progress has been made. Let’s spend the money on our future and not on a castle that doesn’t bother anyone. It provide a good landmark when giving directions to the house.