Las Vegas businesses struggle amid Formula 1 road closures

LAS VEGAS (KSNV)— As the world’s fastest drivers return to the Las Vegas Strip for Formula 1 practice and qualifying runs, local businesses are feeling the pinch.

Despite assurances that this year’s race would be less disruptive than in 2023, some business owners are struggling with access to their properties due to road closures and traffic jams.

Brittany Smith, a bartender at Stage Door Casino, looked out over rows of empty bar stools, an unusual sight for a Friday.

Lisa Mayo-DeRiso, a spokesperson for several businesses now suing F1, said, “At some point, somebody is going to pinch all of us and we’re going to wake up it’s all over.”

Mayo-DeRiso noted that Battista’s, a restaurant with a 50-year history, experienced one of its worst nights ever on the evening qualifying began.

Signs near the Stage Door parking lot direct racegoers to everything F1, while small businesses continue to suffer.

“People can say, ‘Oh, you’re being dramatic,’ if this were your business… It’s gut-wrenching,” Mayo-DeRiso said.

Stage Door isn’t alone. Las Vegas Souvenirs and Gifts, located on the track at Koval, has seen business plummet to levels not seen since the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. Anil Neopaney, an employee, said, “All of this is blocked after 3,” adding that he sometimes goes two hours between customers.

“I mean, it’s good for their business, they’re doing what they’re doing, but for local business like us, it is tough to survive,” Neopaney said.

Tourists also face challenges navigating the area. One visitor said, “We did get stopped trying to go south at Caesars Palace, but so far so good.” Another noted, “It could be a little better; the directions could be a little better from most of the people instead of walking 4 miles down the road and being turned around.”

Despite promises of improved access, such as a temporary bridge at Flamingo and Koval reduced from four lanes to two, Mayo-DeRiso said the situation has not improved. “The F1 promises of it’s going to be better, we’ve had public outreach and we’ve talked to all these businesses, for these folks, no. It’s not better; in fact, it’s worse,” she said.