Hillbilly Holly

Vegas Village was launched by a group of Latter-day Saints real-estate agents and investors, led by founder and principal shareholder Ralph Harman of North Las Vegas. The local chain began here, opening 10/14/55. Locations in 1964 were 1501 Las Vegas Blvd N, Henderson, and 953 E Sahara Ave (Commercial Center).

Dunes hotel’s parent company Continental Connectors Corp acquired Vegas Village in the late 60s.

Vegas Village was sold to long-time employee Jim Seastand and a partner in ’79. The chain filed for bankruptcy and closed in ’81. 

“Retail stores in most small American towns were concentrated downtown – in the case of Las Vegas, among the casinos on Fremont Street. Vegas Village changed that. It was a department store, shoe store, pharmacy, jewelry store, hardware and lumber store, grocery and bakery, newsstand … The influence of the LDS church was evident: Vegas Village did not at first sell alcoholic beverages, and it closed on Sunday. It was unlike anything previously seen in Las Vegas, and was the largest store of its kind in the world.”  – K.J. Evans. “Boy Scout mayor of NLV.” The Nevadan, 5/22/88.