Merchants near Jerry’s Nugget offer gift certificates for points

By Jeff Pope

Friday, April 3, 2009 | 10:34 a.m.

Players club members at area casinos are used to trading their points for meals, jackets and other paraphernalia.

But at Jerry’s Nugget, 1821 N. Las Vegas Blvd., club members can trade their points for flowers, military supplies and furniture.

The North Las Vegas casino allows its More Club members to swap points for $10 or $25 gift certificates at five local businesses that have had no previous affiliation with the casino.

The Neighborhood Merchant Program discounts can be used at La Corona Furniture, Mundo Musical, King Ranch Market, Hahn’s World of Surplus and Nevada Flowers and Gifts.

Jerry’s General Manager Peter DeMangus estimates about 90 percent of his clientele are locals so partnering with the downtown businesses made sense.

“Our customers get variety with their points, the businesses get access to potential new customers and we get loyal customers because, if they play here, they can get all these different rewards,” he said.

Casinos in Mesquite offer similar plans for discounts at local businesses but, generally, casinos in the valley require points be used at in-house restaurants and retailers.

Military surplus supplier Larry Hahn said he had nothing to lose by joining in the program. Jerry’s will reimburse him for the certificates used at his store and he has his business’ name on the casino’s marquee.

“It was worth a shot, anyway,” Hahn said. “Anything above one more customer is great.”

The program started March 23 and is ongoing. If successful, additional businesses will be added, said Darlene Ulep, marketing coordinator for Jerry’s.