LATEST UPDATE: Mermaids and La Bayou casinos closed for good at 11 p.m. Monday.
"I'm glad so many people have been able to come down to Mermaids, come down to La Bayou and have one more visit," Derek Stevens said.
The strip club, Glitter Gulch, closed at 4 a.m. Tuesday.
Action News was at Mermaids and La Bayou when the casinos closed their doors to customers for the last time.
UPDATE: Derek Stevens held a goodbye party at Mermaids on Saturday where he spoke to the press about his excitement for the new project.
"I think downtown continues to evolve just like all of Las Vegas does and that's one of the greatest things about this city," said Stevens.
Stevens says he and his brother will rebuild a greater hotel-casino experience.
"There's definitely going to be a combination of demolition, some renovation, and quite a bit of new construction,” said Stevens.
Some locals don't want to see the mainstays go.
"It's part of the history here," said one Las Vegas local.
But Stevens promises to respect the city's roots.
"My brother and I are always respectful of Las Vegas history and I love Las Vegas history,” said Stevens. “I know there's going to be a design element where some of the great signage and stuff like that can be incorporated in the new project."
ORIGINAL STORY
LAS VEGAS (KTNV) -- It's almost time to say goodbye to three mainstays of "old" Las Vegas.
Mermaids, La Bayou and Topless Girls of Glitter Gulch are closing their doors on Fremont Street Monday.
People were lining up Friday to order deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos from Mermaids, which has become known for the treats and the intimate casino setting.
"There's something magical about this place," said Jim Sondermann, who visits every year from St. Louis. "We never won money here, smells a little weird but there's cool drinks."
Right across the Fremont Street Experience sits La Bayou.
Lisa Leech has played the slots there for 15 years. Calling her a regular doesn't even begin to cover it.
"[We visit for] my husbands birthday, my birthday, anniversaries, Christmas, Thanksgiving," she said. "It's become a family. I buy gifts and send them out here. I send Christmas cards."
When La Bayou closes its doors, Las Vegas is going to lose its last casino that exclusively uses coin-operated slot machines.
"Sorry to see these places go," said Rudy Nino, the general manager of all three locations. "Nice little casinos, friendly little casinos."
In their place, new owners Derek Stevens and his brother Greg are planning a new hotel and casino. The brothers own The D Las Vegas, Golden Gate hotel-casino and Downtown Las Vegas Center.
