Travel

Gas station giant to save last resort in California-Nevada border town

By Katie Dowd, Managing editor, June 14, 2026

The last resort standing in Primm may not close after all: At the eleventh hour, an operator has swept in to save the Primm Valley Casino Resorts on the border of California and Nevada.

Since the COVID pandemic, the unusual town of Primm, best known for its casinos and towering roller coaster, has struggled. Right off Interstate 15 on the way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, visitation has steadily decreased over the last five years. Buffalo Bill’s and Whiskey Pete’s recently closed, and earlier this year, it was announced that operations would cease at Primm Valley Casino Resorts, the last resort in the town.

But last week, the Primm family announced another local family is taking over operations at the hotel, which was slated to close by July 4. The new operator is Terrible’s, a gas station and convenience store giant owned by the Herbst family. Terrible’s is no stranger to the area. They used to own the Terrible’s Hotel and Casino in nearby Jean, where the family still boasts the world’s largest Chevron gas station. 

Cory Clemetson, who is the grandson of Primm’s founder Ernie Primm, said in a press release that the two families are “doing everything possible” to prevent the hotel from closing in July. The resort’s previous operator, Affinity Gaming, planned to shut down the location by early July. 

Clemetson told Fox News that they’re “very bullish” on the future prospects for the town, as construction is set to begin on the Southern Nevada Supplemental Airport by 2029. The airport is supposed to relieve pressure on Harry Reid International Airport, and it will be located about 20 miles south of the Strip. “We’ll be the only game in town for the airport for people to stay,” Clemetson said. 

In order to stay operating, Terrible’s will need to be issued a gaming license by the state of Nevada. On June 25, the Nevada Gaming Control Board will hold a special meeting to discuss approvals. 

“This partnership reflects our commitment to preserving that legacy while creating new opportunities for growth, investment and tourism for decades to come,” Terrible’s president Tim Herbst said in a press release. “We believe Primm’s best days are still ahead.”

Continue/Read Original Article: Gas station giant to save last resort in California-Nevada border town