Las Vegas Weekly

November 3, 2009 · 3:09 PM

The Mob returns to the Strip — in new business venture

By Robin Leach

Mayor Oscar Goodman dons a fur hat and coat while entering the Minus 5 Experience for the unveiling of his ice portrait at the bar in Mandalay Place.

Photo: Leila Navidi

Two groups are in a turf war over who will be first to open a Mafia memorabilia display showing the early history of the Las Vegas world headquarters for gaming.

One museum is to be located downtown as a tourist attraction, and our Merry Mayor of Mirth Oscar Goodman is heavily promoting that group. Another group led by Jay Bloom says within three weeks, they’ll have the jump-start and will announce their Las Vegas Mob exhibition right on the Strip inside a major property.

Over the weekend, I met with Jay, managing partner of the Mob exhibition, and Mafia princess Antoinette Giancana, who is helping with its development. Antoinette, 74, is the daughter of legendary Mob Capo di Tutti Capi Sam Giancana. He ran parts of Sin City for the Chicago Mob way back when and was romantically linked with Phyllis McGuire.

Jay and Antoinette told me that theirs will be a 22,500-square-foot attraction and include an exhibit, a souvenir shop and a Capo’s restaurant. This will be the third Capo’s in Las Vegas by entrepreneur Nico Santucci, who is assisting Albert Ramirez with the design of the complex.

Nico’s original Capo’s Italian Steakhouse is located on Tropicana Avenue, and Jay, Antoinette and Albert all attended its VIP relaunch over the weekend. His other location is on Sahara Avenue. Both are Mob themed and have a speakeasy feel with hidden passageways and secret card rooms.

Expect their announcement of the Strip opening by Thanksgiving. There is no word yet with details of the downtown Mob museum or an opening date.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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