A Crystal of a casino to open

There’s going to be a new kid on the block in Central City.

The Davis family from Oregon is making its first foray in the gaming business with the purchase of the Pappone’s space on Main Street between Easy Street and Dostal Alley casinos. The new place will be called Crystal Palace.

The new owners have secured a gaming license, and Central City approved the liquor license application during a recent meeting. The liquor license still needs state approval. Plans call for an Aug. 22 opening with a grand opening celebration over Labor Day weekend.

“They just absolutely love that kind of venue,” said company controller Julie Davis about the new owners. “They saw Pappone’s and fell in love with it. It’s a small enough venue to make their own and fit well in the community.”

Plans call for a 4,000-square-foot space with 102 gaming machines, a deli, a bar and a décor that will include the existing chandeliers, mirrors and stained-glass windows.

“The beauty of it from many years ago is still well intact,” Davis said. “We’ll do minor renovations with carpet and paint, and updated electrical and cable.”

General manager Marc Garin’s background includes 19 years with game manufacturer International Game Technology, as well as stints at the Lodge and Bullwhackers casinos in Black Hawk.

“It’s going to be a fantastic place,” Davis said. “We welcome anyone to check us out.” Crystal Palace will be open till 2 a.m. daily.

Sign of the city. Long-time Central City homeowner and The Little Kingdom Come newsletter publisher Lew Cady, the incubator of ideas to promote his fair city, slapped a sign recently on the entrance to the Central City Parkway.

The sign points out lesser-known facts about CC. The intention is to entice gamblers and tourists to explore the historic mining town rather than just stopping and staying in glitzier Black Hawk.

“I thought it would be fun, and I thought it would reveal to visitors that Central City is an interesting and multidimensional town,” Cady said about the newly minted sign. “And it even has a bit of a sense of humor.”

No lie, Lew. Among the serious facts (town founded: 1859, elevation: 8,496, population: 663) are fun facts including the average IQ: 101, number of gambling houses: seven, number of bears: four, bars: 19, newspapers: one, faces on the barroom floors: one, breweries: one, big shots: zero and troublemakers: three.

“Three troublemakers, eh? Hmmmm. Who are they?” Cady asked without answering. “It’s a place a visitor might want to…visit.”

Cady, a bit of a rebel, posted the sign without asking proper authorities, but the Central City Council promptly approved the signage.

Thirst quencher. The Isle Casino in Black Hawk offered this solution to beat the summer heat: A lychee-tini. Ingredients: 3 ounces Soho lychee liqueur, 2 ounces vodka, 2 ounces cranberry juice, one dash fresh lime juice. Add to a shaker and mix with ice. Pour into martini glasses and garnish with a seeded fresh lychee. Yum.

- Penny Parker is a columnist for The Denver Post. She’s always on the prowl for tidbits and tips from Colorado’s gaming communities. Call her at 303-619-5209 or e-mail pparker@denverpost.com.