LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — After facing the possibility of businesses shutting down, Primm is seeing what one family member called a “new sense of optimism” following a partnership between the Primm family and Terrible’s that has saved more than 300 jobs and is expected to keep the border community a popular stop for travelers.
The transition of Primm from Affinity to Terrible’s is largely complete at the smaller satellite properties, with the biggest effort now focused on Primm Valley Resort and Casino. Cory Clemetson, president of the Primm South Real Estate Company and grandson of Primm founder Ernie Primm, described the work underway as a “family effort.”
Clemetson said he has seen employees cleaning throughout Primm Valley, “from you know wiping slots,” and doing everything from “to to vacuuming, to working in the kitchen, to you know, picking up garbage that had been left for years, just working around the clock.”
Even though the casino is currently closed, Clemetson said employees are still being paid. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm inside, and people are willing to do anything to help, and they want to get open as soon as possible,” he said. “You know, and and knowing the the Terribles gaming team, they want to do it when they’re ready.”
At other Primm properties — including the Lotto Store, the Flying J and the Primm Center — the Terrible’s transition is complete. Employee Dominic Jenkins said, “It looks really good in here. I’m looking forward to the future – what’s gonna happen here.” Jenkins added, “It looks nothing but up from here.”
Clemetson said the Primm family has not operated the casinos, hotels and gas stations for 30 years, but he said he is already seeing changes under the new partnership.
“Well, I mean, I believe, and I think number one, we finally have a, and I’ve used this a lot, but partner and terribles and Tim and Troy, who, you know, they’re they’re vision, they’re innovative guys, and they think outside the box, and I think that’s what we’ve needed here,” Clemetson said.
In the shorter term, Clemetson said he believes Primm can again become a destination for Southern Nevada residents looking for an affordable getaway. “I think we have a good chance to make a great, great prima great staycation again, and for a lot of people to go out and visit and families that if you’re a Vegas family wants to have a weekend away that’s affordable and do something you can do that again,” he said.
Looking further ahead, Clemetson said he believes Southern Nevada will have a second airport by 2037, which he said would help Primm grow. “I think, with a second airport, that will only drive and increase the population of Prim. So Prim will modernize, and I think be very different,” he said.
Terrible’s has not announced an exact reopening date for the casino, but the company’s most recent statement said it should be a matter of weeks.
