The sign for The Griffin sits at 511 Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 511 Fremont St Sign owner: Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh Sign details: Opened in February of 2007 as a medieval British pub/ tavern style bar. This location brought on a wave of revitalization of the East Fremont District especially since many new bars/restaurants started to open in this area after this bar did. Sign condition: 5- still looks relatively new Sign form: Blade and overlay neon on building Sign-specific description: Placed above the entrance their brick building the letters The Griffin Cocktails is painted with white block letters outlined with black paint is painted on the building itself. These letters have skeletal neon surrounding the letters. The Griffin letters are yellow tubes and do illuminate green at night, the word cocktails lights up white. To the left of the entrance but still on the building is a green painted griffin drinking a painted white martini ( also all outlined with black paint) The neon tubing outlining the griffin is a yellow tubing but glows green at night ( possibly argon inserted to make it glow green). The Blade is placed a little left of the entrance and hangs off of the building by two blue steel beams, but in between the beams is a beautiful swirl design. At the top of the Blade there is a green griffin sipping a martini (same design as the one painted on the building). At the base of the griffin is white THE letters painted with skeletal neon. Then below is the blue portion of the blade spelling out GRIFFIN in a Britannic looking font in white channeled letters which do illuminate white at night. This part of the blade is outlined in neon ,possibly argon, since it does illuminate blue at night. On the side of the blade ( if you're looking from the road) there are about 14 red curved neon tubes lining the sign. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel and Brick Wall Sign - non-neon treatments: Using the brick wall as a portion of the sign is a design not seen often in Vegas. Sign animation: Oscillation of red neon tubes on the side of the sign. Sign environment: Located in the Fremont East District in between Las Vegas Blvd. and 6th St. This location has The Vault to the East of it and The Smashed Pig Gastropub to the west. It is across the street from the Park and Evil Pie. In the middle of the street right in front of the Griffin Bar is the Martini Glass sign. Sign manufacturer: YESCO Sign designer: Owners Aaron Chepenik and Jonathan Hensleigh-Aaron stated that the blade portion of the sign was inspired by the old Boulder Club Blade sign Sign - date of installation: Slightly before they opened so late 2006/early 2007 Sign - thematic influences: Griffin shows that it has a medieval and kind of fantasy kind of feel since its interior does have that cool medieval tavern vibe to it, especially with their fireplaces. Using their brick wall as a part of the sign is a cool innovative way to use their space and stay true to their theme. Sign - artistic significance: Medieval theme. The blade is a prominent theme in the 50s/60s, though their blade sign was inspired by the Boulder Club (opened 1931-1960) blade. Survey - research locations: Acessors page, outreach to owner Aaron Chepenik Survey - research notes: Possible use of argon within their yellow painted tubes, similar to the Yucca Motel signs leaves. Survey - other remarks: The Blade does look very similar to the Boulder Club blade, so its awesome to see modern properties paying homage to the ones that are no longer around. Surveyor: Emily Fellmer Survey - date completed: 2017-09-15 Sign keywords: Oscillating; Steel; Neon; Blade; Fascia; Building-front design
The Jerry's Nugget Casino sign sits at 1821 North Las Vegas Boulevard. The family-owned and operated casino has been in business for over fifty years. Information about the sign is available in the Southern Nevada Neon Survey Data Sheet. Site address: 1821 N Las Vegas Blvd Sign owner: The Stamis Family Sign details: In 1964, Jerry Stamis and Jerry Lodge opened Jerry's Nugget Casino. The property, formerly the Towne House Bar, was converted into a casino. Four years after its opening, the owners bought the nearby Bonanza Club along with its sign, adding an additional 10,000 square feet to their property. The site has undergone numerous renovations, including in 1982 when it became a full-service casino complete with a restaurant, bars, and nearly 700 slots. The porte cochere was also added at that time. In 1996, a theatre lounge was added as well as a bakery and even more gaming tables. The casino, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2014. This location still claims to cater to "locals." Currently, it consists of slots, table games, keno lounge, and a bingo hall, among other popular features. Sign condition: About 4-5, appears to have relatively low damage Sign form: Sculptural pylon Sign-specific description: Neon sign looks to be in the form of an oil derrick, "Jerry's" in a nugget shape at the top, "Nugget" spelled downward in light blue neon, possibly was once orange. Sign - type of display: Neon Sign - media: Steel Sign environment: Located in North Las Vegas along Las Vegas Blvd, near the Silver Nugget Casino. Sign - date of installation: 1964 for most of the signage for the property Sign - date of redesign/move: 1982 Porte Cochere added with expansion Sign - thematic influences: The signage conveys the Old West theme of striking it rich with gold, silver or oil, as they have an oil rig for portion of their sign. Survey - research locations: Neon Museum tour outline, Jerry's Nugget website http://www.jerrysnugget.com/ , recorder's office, Assessor's page Survey - research notes: For the 50th anniversary of their Company they donated the money for the restoration of their sign which is showcased on the documentary "Restoration Neon" and remains in the Neon Museum. Surveyor: Carlyle Constantino Survey - date completed: 2017-07-12 Sign keywords: Neon; Steel; Pylon; Incandescent; Back to back; Reader board; Video screen
Oral history interview with Jean Munson conducted by Vanessa Concepcion, Cecilia Winchell, and Stefani Evans on November 30, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Jean discusses her childhood growing up in Guam, the nursing career path of her parents, and her decision to pursue an "unconventional path" as a comic book artist. She talks about her education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, her passion for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community within Las Vegas, and her roles in community activism and leadership. Jean also shares her current pursuits as a podcaster of Bruha Baddies, co-owner and printer of Plot Twist Publishing, and co-founder of the Comic and Zines Festival.