Food tops Galleria at Sunset expansion

Galleria at Sunset in Henderson is in the midst of a 30,000 sq. ft. expansion that includes a 12,000 square-foot, split-level plaza that will house six new restaurants.

The Galleria at Sunset, which opened in 1996 near Interstate 515 Galleria Mall interchange at U.S. 95 and Sunset Road, now has two full-service restaurants, a Red Robin and a Chevys Fresh Mex, as well as a food court. Heather Valera, the marketing director for Galleria at Sunset, said only three of the six restaurants, BRAVO!, Larsen’s Grill and Sugar Factory, have been determined.

“The company recognizes that it’s a good time to reinvest in the properties that have fared well in the recession,” Valera said. “The economy’s coming back and it’s important to stay fresh and reinvent yourself. Shoppers have also told us that restaurants are the one thing they’d like to see here. We have such a strong line of shopping and we’re under-served in restaurants.”

Larsen Fleming, owner of Larsen’s Grill, said the Galleria location will be the restaurant’s first in the Las Vegas market.

“There’s not a single restaurant that is similar to ours in Henderson and I think it will be a good fit for us,” he said. “I’ve lived in Las Vegas for a couple of years now and I feel there’s a need for it.”

Fleming said Larsen’s Grill offers American comfort food such as prime steaks, herb roasted chicken and baby back ribs.

“We first opened in 2008 and this will be our fifth location,” he said. “We’ll create jobs and income for the city and the county.”

Sugar Factory at the Galleria at Sunset will offer everything from pancakes and sweet and savory crepes to salads, burgers and pizza alongside an expansive dessert menu that features the King Kong Sundae — 16 scoops of ice cream with all the toppings and garnished with a giant lollipop. The eatery’s premium cocktails will also mix sweet treats with adult beverages, such as the 36 oz. alcohol-infused smoking candy goblets, which smoke after being poured over dry ice.

In addition to the restaurant, Sugar Factory will also have a retail store with more than 1,000 items, including novelty and bulk candy.

“The Sugar Factory brand was born in the Las Vegas Valley, and we look forward to opening a new Sugar Factory American Brasserie at the Galleria at Sunset for Las Vegas to better service locals living in the Henderson area,” said Charissa Davidovici, owner and founder of Sugar Factory.

Sharon Murphy, owner of CoCo’s Gifts at Galleria, said the expansion addresses the need to offer the public a fresh and enjoyable shopping experience.

“The selection of restaurants will attract those that would not normally have chosen the Galleria as a meeting place or social venue,” she said. “They’ll offer the business professional, ladies who lunch, retirees and the working woman a place to meet, do business, socialize and — most importantly — shop.”

The $25.5 million construction project, which began in March, is expected to be finished at the end of October before spaces are turned over to the individual restaurants for build-out, Valera said.

“We’ll stop construction for the holidays and resume early first quarter to change out the facades on the north side entrances,” she said. “The restaurants will be open in spring 2015.”

The last time Galleria at Sunset underwent an expansion was in 2004 when the shopping mall added the Dick’s Sporting Goods wing.

According to Valera, the remaining three restaurants that will occupy the Galleria’s newest space will be different from their current selections.

“It’ll be something we don’t already offer, such as a bakery or something casual,” she said. “We don’t want to compete with what we have now.”

Contact reporter Ann Friedman at 702-380-4588 or afriedman@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AnnFriedmanRJ on Twitter.