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Margaritaville Casino to close in Biloxi


By Carlie Kollath Wells, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

on July 21, 2014 at 11:43 AM, updated July 21, 2014 at 12:27 PM

Margaritaville Casino is closing its Biloxi, Miss., location, according to GulfLive.com. The casino told its employees it will close on or before Sept. 19.

The report said the casino attributed the closing to its inability to resolve a dispute with its landlords necessary to secure financing for a new hotel and other amenities.

The casino had 359 employees as of March 31, according to The Sun Herald. It opened in May 2012. The week the casino opened, Jimmy Buffet talked about some of the trials of getting the project off the ground.

In June, another Mississippi casino closed - Harrah's Tunica Casino. The New York Times published a story about the closure, saying it hinted at a "gambling glut" in the country.

I read 4 stories about the closing and found 4 different reasons for closing.
Very strange
Sorry for the employees losing their jobs.

So bummed about this. Was a really nice property, albeit in a really crummy, industrial park type section of town. Gorgeous marina with a nice restaurant and bay/bridge views, though. Hate this for the employees, and I hate it for Biloxi overall, which desperately needs more jobs, not less.

Maybe the more of these that close, the better chance we'll have of Buffett concentrating on his music again. Sure would be nice.

That was on my bucket list. Oh well.

You still have time.

Already have trips planned up thru 2015.NYC, San Fran, Tampa, Orlando and Anaheim.

Hate to see all those folks out of work

Atlantic City is experiencing this too. Maybe all the gambling money is going to gas to get there.

I definitely feel bad for the people who are losing their jobs. That is unfortunate. I also kind of feel bad for Jimmy as I am sure that he doesn't want to be associated with something that was not successful. Especially in an area that is close to his heart.

Seems to be closing a few properties.... We were just at the Jimmy Buffett Beachcomer in Hawaii and it's closing August 31.... The employees there are pretty worried as to what's going to happen.... Really nice place and sad to see it go away....

Does anybody have an update on this? I plan on being in Biloxi for a few days next week and always enjoyed the atmosphere here.

MICHIPHIN wrote:Does anybody have an update on this? I plan on being in Biloxi for a few days next week and always enjoyed the atmosphere here.

They were trying to get some kind of deal made to stay open, but last I heard it fell through and would be closing mid-Sept. But their own website has events listed as far away as Sept. 27. (which means nothing if they close the doors at any time)

[img]https://busites_www.s3.amazonaws.com/mvillebiloxicom/content/banners/092014_KiaForte_1000x345.jpg[/img]

I will stop by there this coming week, and ensure the beer is being served at the proper temperature, and file a complete report.

http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-pr ... ers_s.html

I was going to take a vac there...sigh

Stopped by yesterday afternoon. The parking lot was empty, and the front door was locked. I went around back and knocked on the door. Jimmy answered and invited me in. He was just sweeping up the mess that was left behind, and said that the last keg of Landshark was still cold at the back casino bar, so we sat down and drank down a few cold ones. He explained that the trials of having a casino in this town, without a hotel and other attractions to assist in supporting such, just wasn't going to make it. He also explained that he has not taken a royality nickel for the usage of the Margaritaville brand name since the place opened. We had a couple of beers, he felt bad for the place not making it and even had a little tear in his eye. I told him to keep his fin up, and at least they gave it a good run......I asked him if he needed for me to spot him a buck or two until he was back on his feet, but he said he was ok. Great guy that Jimmy.

I helped him finish sweeping up, and even found a $5 chip under the buffet that he allowed me to keep as reminder of what once was....


The place is Closed.

Mich, I guess you'll just have to get back out to Vegas to take care of your gambling fix. Let me know if you'll be out here for the October shows.

Basically considered too small, no attached hotel, and no real attraction to draw patrons other than the name. Rumor is he wants a better location and hotel. Not sure if that is true, seems like the Casino business is in a slow down Nationally. Time will Tell

Was also a tad of a "raw deal" from a past employee / friend / partner. How can you NOT make a rent payment from day one? I think Jimmy will think twice, or maybe even a third time, before lending (renting) his name to go up on the place in the future. Sombody has some Coastal Confessions to make.....

dean_siu wrote:Mich, I guess you'll just have to get back out to Vegas to take care of your gambling fix. Let me know if you'll be out here for the October shows.

Not looking good for the October shows this year.