Dior, Lanvin, Prada, others delay openings at Crystals

Reporting from Las Vegas — 

While Crystals welcomed its first shoppers Dec. 3 and celebrated its grand opening a couple of weeks later, apparently the bosses at several big fashion houses -- including Dior, Lanvin and Prada -- didn’t get the memo. Their stores are among 11 yet to open.

The retail center currently has a cavernous feel, with huge, impossible-to-miss murals -- and messages such as “Coming 2010” and “Opening Soon” -- covering many storefronts. Six restaurants also remain shuttered.

Some store owners and managers wish all of the businesses had been required to open earlier this month to lure more customers to Crystals.

“They should have had to all sign a contract,” one lamented. Another expressed similar concerns but then observed, “Maybe it’s good for us that are already open. It limits [shoppers’] choices.” (Both spoke on the condition of anonymity.)

Several eateries and shops plan to open their doors in time for Chinese New Year in mid-February, when tens of thousands of wealthy Asians traditionally visit Las Vegas. Hermes and two Wolfgang Puck restaurants are slated for January openings, and three other retailers -- Fendi, Lanvin and Versace -- have launches scheduled for February. That’s when two more restaurants will open, including Mastro’s Ocean Club.

Dior, Gucci, Miu Miu, Philipp Plein, Prada, Emilio Pucci and Ermenegildo Zegna will follow later in the year, along with two other restaurants: World News Cafe and Society House.

Mastro’s will offer indoor seating as well as dining in Crystals’ signature treehouse. The alfresco environment will provide excellent opportunities for people-watching.

There’s little opportunity to take a break from shopping by sitting down and watching the world pass by. There isn’t a single bench or sofa to be found in the public areas of the mall.

“The lack of seating is not an oversight,” said Yvette Monet, a spokeswoman for MGM-Mirage, the shopping center’s developer, in an e-mail. “We’re predicting this will become less important when more of the food and beverage outlets are open. And, of course, we’ll adjust this to meet our guests’ preferences either way,” she said.

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