Treasure Bay Biloxi opens new floor, buffet
EXPANSION AHOY!
BILOXI - Treasure Bay casino, once known for its pirate ship facade, opened a new casino floor and a buffet on Monday in the hotel across the street that has been its home since Katrina came ashore.
“Biloxi needs to be proud,” said Charlotte McIntire of Gulfport. “We got our treasure back.”
She and her husband, Stanley, joined more than 100 others in line, eager for their first look at the casino.
Treasure Bay reopened onshore in summer 2006 with just slot machines on the hotel’s lower floor. The new main floor has 400 more slots plus table games and is accessible by elevator or staircases that look out toward the water.
Susan Varnes, chief operating officer of Treasure Bay, said the expansion will add about 400 employees, bringing the casino’s total workers to 600. More will be hired soon. “Hotel rooms in the tower are coming online very quickly,” said Varnes.
CQ, an upscale restaurant, the swimming pool and garden hotel rooms will debut in late summer.
Jared and Karey Hill of Gulfport wanted to be the first to try the new Infinity Buffet. Manager Michael Pickich said the staff brought out crab legs, mussels, calamari and fried chicken for the first guests. The buffet is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and seats 192. “It’s the same bread pudding” as the famous dessert served across the street before Katrina, he said.
Art and architecture, stacked stone walls and creative lighting decorate the addition and the casino floor has impressive views of the Mississippi Sound.
“What we created here is different from most casinos,” said Varnes.
The goal was to make visitors feel like the staff is welcoming them into their home. Many who came to the opening were regulars who frequented the original Treasure Bay and greeted the staff with hugs and congratulations.
Fountains in front of the building were operating and Varnes said the flames in two of the five caldrons will be fired up next week. “Labor Day we should have it all done,” she said.
Source: Sun HeraldÂÂ