Businesses say downtown is a perfect place for basing operations

Downtown Las Vegas is home to major casinos, small businesses and - later this year - retail giant Zappos Inc. What residents might not know, however, is that downtown is also the center for companies that focus on the valley but have national and international ties.

One of these organizations is the Molasky Group of Companies, which has been based downtown for more than 60 years. The company, which focuses on real estate and government partnerships with the IRS headquarters in Las Vegas, is housed at 100 N. City Parkway.

Richard Worthington, president of the Molasky Group of Companies, said having the corporation downtown contributes to the ongoing resurgence of the area.

"Our employees are here, and our hearts are here," Worthington said. "We continue working to accelerate the revitalization of downtown. There's a whole different vibe down here now, and the (perception) of downtown is changing among residents."

Worthington said the business' central location is ideal for employees and clients. Its easy commute distance to the airport and its presence downtown, he said, bolsters business.

"I think it communicates a lot to be part of a city's skyline as a 60-year company," Worthington said. "It puts you in that sort of headquarter-type environment and keeps the right perception for customers."

In addition to heading the Molasky Group of Companies, Worthington is chairman of the Downtown Las Vegas Alliance, a nonprofit entity composed of major valley stakeholders . The alliance recently launched the Rediscover Downtown campaign, which encourages locals to visit the continuously changing area. Worthington said initiatives such as these have contributed to his and other area businesses' successes.

"This is absolutely the place to be," Worthington said. "I think one reason we were successful in bringing the IRS out of the suburbs is because of this location and the revitalization."

Another local company has experienced similar success because of its location downtown. Artistic Iron Works, which has been in existence since 1990, occupies a building on the edge of the 18b Arts District at 105 W. Charleston Blvd.

General manager David Spruell said Artistic Iron Works' location benefits not only his business but nearby ones .

"Because the area's in more of a redevelopment situation, we felt like we could add to the area," said Spruell, noting that Artistic Iron Works has been in the same building for seven years. "Being in the Arts District (allows) people to visit other arts places around here and helps little stores here and there."

Artistic Iron Works sells a variety of wrought-iron items, from doors to tools and decorations. It also houses a full-size workshop and warehouse, which allows Spruell and his employees to ship products internationally. Spruell said he delivers items from throughout the valley to Pahrump; Mesquite; St. George, Utah; California; and Canada.

Spruell said he prefers having his business downtown and doesn't anticipate changing the location anytime soon.

"There's a lot of reconstruction downtown right now, and I feel it's bringing more people down here," Spruell said. "The town may be transient, but we're not going anywhere."