The Holy Cow Casino and Brewery, situated at the northeastern corner of Sahara Avenue and The Strip, stands out as an unforgettable landmark in Las Vegas for numerous groundbreaking reasons.
Foxy’s Deli was one of the earliest restaurants on the Strip that openly welcomed Black patrons when it opened for business in 1955 – five years prior to desegregation of its streets officially occurring. Owned and run by Abe Fox – an Israeli businessman connected closely to both local NAACP chapters as well as passionate supporters of equality – it stood as more than simply an eatery; rather, it symbolized progress.
Abe and his son Jerry would often personally deliver meals to African American entertainers like Louis Armstrong and Nat King Cole who performed at the Sands but could not utilize its main amenities due to segregation laws.
Abe sold his deli in 1975 to Moe Dalitz, an established figure within Las Vegas casino culture with connections at Desert Inn, Stardust, and Flamingo casinos. Under Dalitz’s management it evolved into Foxy’s Firehouse which continued operations up until 1988.
From Firehouse to Holy Cow
Tom “Big Dog” Wiesner, an ex-NFL linebacker and owner of Marina Hotel shares, acquired it after selling to casino mogul Kirk Kerkorian and changed to Holy Cow Casino by 1992 based on inspiration from Harry Carey – famed Chicago Cubs announcer known for uttering an enthusiastic “Holy Cow!” catchphrase during broadcasts of Cubs games – in turn known for being famously enthusiastic in saying his catchphrase of that name!
Wiesner introduced Alphie, a 14-foot fiberglass cow adorned with sunglasses and neon rainbow neon ribbon, to the casino rooftop. Furthermore, in 1993 the Holy Cow marked history by creating Nevada’s first legal brewery to challenge Nevada’s rigid three-tier liquor sales law in place since Prohibition ended in 1933.
An Era Ends
Even though its success, The Holy Cow had to close in March 2002 due to post-9/11 downturn in tourism, as Wiesner passed away three months after closing down and relocated with new ownership continuing his legacy in an entirely different part of town. Originally called Big Dog’s Draft House before changing hands again and changing name again a decade or two later;
Subsequent to its purchase in 1954 by Ivana Las Vegas, the property underwent several transformations before ultimately being sold off to a real estate developer in 2007. Subsequent to which, plans to renovate or reuse its historical building never materialized fully and eventually replaced with a Walgreens.
Alphie’s New Pasture
Alphie the cow was saved from destruction after it was purchased for $2,200 by Jim Marsh of Longstreet Inn and Casino and moved away from Las Vegas’ bright lights but remains as an eccentric memento to its vibrant history.
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