SLS Las Vegas buffet to close, reopen in 2015

SLS Las Vegas will close its buffet restaurant Sunday, but officials said it would reopen the space after the first of the year.

New SLS President Scott Kreeger said the second-floor location “is doing OK, but not hitting out of the park” as compared with the hotel-casino’s other restaurants.

Kreeger, who took over two weeks ago, said the buffet would reopen as part of a renewed effort to attract locals to the Strip resort, which opened in August. The SLS is a $415 million renovation of the former Sahara.

Kreeger said some of the buffet’s employees would be moved to other SLS jobs. There will be some layoffs, but he wasn’t able to give a total.

“We’re working with the (Culinary Local 226) union to help place the workers,” Kreeger said.

The buffet is somewhat challenged by its location, which is apart from the other restaurants, such as Umami Burger, Cleo and the Griddle Cafe.

Kreeger took over for Rob Oseland, who had been with the property since 2012, before the 18-month construction transition. In October, SLS Las Vegas laid off less than 2 percent of its 3,400-person workforce after evaluating its staffing needs.

Kreeger said the property is evaluating ways to attract more locals through various promotions and special offers. A buffet still will be part of the attraction.

“There is a local element we want to have at SLS,” Kreeger said. “We’ll look to reopen the buffet after the slow season.”

Kreeger most recently was chief operating officer of the now-closed Revel in Atlantic City.

Before heading to Atlantic City, Kreeger spent the bulk of his gaming career in Las Vegas at MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International) and Station Casinos. Kreeger was the first general manager of Station Casinos’ Red Rock Resort, overseeing the property’s debut in 2006.

The 1,620-room SLS Las Vegas is owned by Stockbridge Real Estate and SBE Entertainment. The nine restaurants and three nightlife venues are managed by SBE and include many of the company’s signature brands. A sports book is operated by William Hill.

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.