By Charlene Dean
The construction conglomerate built by Rene Morales is missing a piece since he sold his share of U.S. Ready Mix Concrete to Alex Delgado in November.
Morales’ objective in opening several businesses, was to cover every aspect of any given construction project so none of the work had to be sub-contracted to other companies.
The new owner is satisfied to own one business and manage it with old-fashioned values.
Delgado said, “We have a motto. ‘Maintain old-fashioned customer service with the highest quality standards is our concrete plan.’”
He said several people thought he was making a mistake purchasing a business which depends on the construction industry to succeed — especially in this economy.
“I disagree. I’ve been in the concrete business for 24 years. It’s slow now, but the economy is turning around. Delgado laughed, “And I could buy Rene out for less now than I could if I waited a year.”
The concrete business opened in April 2012 with Morales and Delgado as partners.
Delgado said U.S. Ready Mix can do more than pour foundations. “We will install patios and pool decking, put in shotcrete pools, pour driveways and walkways, curbing and we can do underground work for utilities.”
He is very big on personal service, too, and said, “When I’m working for an individual, I can help them design what they want. Some people know they want a walkway but don’t exactly know where.”
It’s not hard to get in touch with him either. He said the magnetic signs on his truck tout his cell phone number. “How many business owners do you know that when you call, you get the owner and not an office person? When you call the company, you get me.”
Delgado said right now he’s networking with other businesses and talking with everyone he meets. “We have enough professional trade businesses here to handle any kind of construction there is. There is no reason to go outside the county.
“I’m local. I shop local and I employ locals. I want my money to stay in Nye County. It’s important to the economy and contributes to the tax base.” U.S. Ready Mix employs nine people. Call 537-9899 for additional information.
Restaurant will close Jan. 31
Unless it finds another location soon, Papa Willie’s Italian Eatery on Loop Road will close Jan. 31. The building, which houses the Last Chance Saloon, is being leased to investors who hope to eventually purchase it.
William and Teresa DiPreta have moved Papa Willie’s to three locations since it opened five years ago. And although Teresa said they’ve been looking since they received a moving notice from Last Chance owner Dale Malquist, they have yet to find a suitable space.
“We looked at the place where Jo’s Pizza was on Gamebird and Pahrump Valley, but there’s no equipment,” DiPreta said.
“We’ve also looked at a place we were interested in before we moved here but I don’t think that’s going to work out.”
She said they would like to find something, but, “it’s OK, we were closed for five months between Who’s Dunes and here.” Papa Willie’s opened on Loop Road in April of last year.
Renovations to the restaurant and kitchen space at the Last Chance by the new investors was cited as the reason Papa Willie’s was asked to vacate. Call 751-5955.
The last chance saloon did a good business back in the real estate bubble hey days but has gone almost out of business. I did notice that when the owners set up the no smoking area for dining from the bar, it seemed to start on its long road down. However, I may be wrong. It’s just a feeling.
I rarely see any cars in the parking lot. But evidently Papa Willie’s was surviving so that is good to see.
Not sure what new investors can bring to the table in this economic enviroment but good luck to them. New faces and new ideas sometimes work out well.
My wife and I went to the Last Chance Steakhouse after they walled off the dining area from the bar and we liked the food. One of the problems they had was they usually only had one wait person on staff and the service was slow. When I was working we would go there from time to time but the slow service meant we would be late getting back to work and that was unacceptable.
We haven’t been to the Papa Willie’s so I cannot speak to them. Of course, since Ace closed, there is far less traffic through there. That could be a contributing factor, don’t know.
Papa Willies should close. Their Italian food is the worst we’ve ever tasted. Once was enough for us. Will never return.
I have to agree with JD. The food at Papa Willie’s was not good at all. We tried 2 times and didn’t get any better the 2nd time around. We haven’t returned. And as far as Last Chance Saloon , they had their “last chance” with us. It doesn’t have good food anymore either. I think they should have closed along time ago. Way over priced for such unappetizing food. No, we have’t went back to either one of them. They need to open an “Apple Bees”. Now that is GOOD FOOD!
It’s tough to find decent food here. We like the little sandwich and coffee shop on 160, but it’s hit and miss for other places. We tried Denny’s once, that was a disaster and overpriced.
Yeah Dennys is gross, used to be a great place to eat, and years and years ago when I was in college and starving, I worked for a Dennys, the food they serve at that place is not the same.
The Last Chance place had good food, but it was priced kind of high for Pahrump.
Never did the Papa Willies place, but I heard the food was scary.
The good part of having crummy places to eat out around here is you cook at home more and its way better for you anyway, and cheaper.