Third Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Site To Open July 1st In Richmond
The third Colonial Downs-Rosie’s Gaming Emporium Center will have its grand opening Monday July 1st in the former Kmart building on Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond. Here are some pictures of the venue one week before the general pubic will be able to start playing Historical Horse Racing terminals and of course, wager on live horse racing action via simulcast.
The other two Rosie’s locations are in Vinton (just outside of Roanoke) and in New Kent, on the first and third floors of the Colonial Downs grandstand complex. A fourth location will open in Hampton this fall. Live thoroughbred horse racing will return to the New Kent track on August 8th, and a five week meet will continue thru September 7th. The $250,000 Virginia Derby is Saturday August 31st.
At the most recent Virginia Racing Commission meeting, the Colonial Downs Group’s Aaron Gomes remarked that “when pople drive by the Rosie’s Richmond location, they will have no idea it used to be a Kmart.” The main Off Track Betting area features a large TV wall that can show the signals of ten tracks. There are two additional VA-Horseplay OTBs in Richmond — at Breakers Sports Grille and at Ponies & Pints. The Richmond Rosie’s has a large number of self betting terminals but will also have three manned teller stations.A large circular bar is the centerpiece of the new Rosie’s site. The bar separates the HHR terminals from the OTB portion of the operation.This Rosie’s site will feature 700 HHR terminals divided among smoking, non-smoking and higher limit sections. Rosie’s Richmond will have 225 employees. When live racing begins in August, the Colonial Downs Group will have 900 employees on board with a total payroll of $20 million. Colorful Rosie’s banners are positioned on parking lot light poles throughout the 840 car lot.A large Rosie’s sign will attract people via heavily travelled Midlothian Turnpike. The venue is just north of Chippenham Parkway and will provide easy access from points north, south, east and west.,
