| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2010 8:24 am |
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Business 
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Angel of the Winds casino thrives in Tulalip’s shadow ARLINGTON — Perhaps it’s the little casino that could.When Angel of the Winds first opened in October 2004 in Arlington, there were fears the gaming market in Snohomish County was oversaturated. Just a few miles down the road on I-5 stands the glittering Tulalip Casino, with its orca sculptures and water fountains. But a few years later, the Stillaguamish Indian Tribe’s little 22,000-square-foot casino wasn’t floundering the shadow of its major rival. It was flourishing. The “World’s Friendliest Casino” needed to grow. Long before the economy took a tumble, the tribe had an expansion, to 84,000 square feet, in the works. In the meantime, its rival added a 370-room luxury hotel, complete with a day spa. The larger version of Angel of the Winds opened at the end of last year, as unemployment soared and the stock market tanked. Still, “it’s been a positive experience for the casino,” said Travis O’Neil, casino general manager. Even in a rough economy, the casino has seen about a 30 percent increase in visitors since opening the expansion, he said. And that makes O’Neil wonder how many more customers the expanded casino will see when things turn around. Besides increasing the casino’s total of machines to 1,000 from 500, Angel of the Winds has added guest amenities. The upgraded casino features live entertainment in the bar and a new dining option: the Watershed Restaurant and Lounge. Unlike other tourist attractions, Angel of the Winds depends upon and caters to a local base. “That’s one of the things that helped us grow,” said Eric Larsen, the casino’s marketing director. And the tribe has no plans to change its local focus, O’Neil said. That local focus is also reflected in the tribe’s marketing strategy. Besides billboard, newspaper, radio and TV advertising, the casino also works with members of its business alliance for some atypical forms of advertising. For instance, next time you pick up your latte at an espresso stand, check the cup’s sleeve. Angel of the Winds supplies coffee sleeves emblazoned with its logo and a coupon to about 80 coffee stands in the area. Many of the 175 companies in the casino’s business alliance offer discounts to members of Angel of the Wind’s Totem Club. “We try to help out local businesses,” O’Neil said. But what keeps the casino, which employs 570 people, open is its loyal customer base. Casino managers take seriously the input of customers, O’Neil said. Many of the Totem Club members appreciate the casino’s low-key atmosphere, its monthly member gifts, its 99-cent menu items, including salmon and chips and strawberry shortcake. “That’s what built the place,” O’Neil said. |
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- Morning mystery: What happened to House Bill 3181?
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(11) - Cat wanders into police parking lot, is euthanized (9)
- State Senate votes to toss I-960's tax-raising hurdle (9)
- Schools do well in levy elections (8)
- School levies in Snohomish County all passing, Marysville bond failing (7)
- A tidy lawn could be law in Lynnwood (4)
- Lynnwood makes law against too tall lawns (4)
- State Senate starts easing way for tax increases (4)
- Architect proposes new plan to save historic Collins Building (3)
- Two suspects sought in Everett shooting that injured two (3)
- Jackson girls outlast Meadowdale owdale
- OBT raises barre in children’s program
- Junior firefighters
- School levies passing
- Mavericks topple Wolfpack
- Get a second look at Second City Feb. 13
- Sports Briefs
- Warriors advance 11 to regional meet
- Arlington's Cascade Valley Hospital celebrates expansion, national award and 100 years of service
- Business Licences Feb. 2010
- Technology tips for launching your own business
- Business Events Feb. 2010
- Tech Talk: No excuse today for going without a Web site
- State already raising fees and rates that restrict business growth
- Some legislators again targeting people’s initiative petition rights
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