Rick’s Restorations

What is it?

The home to Rick Dale and his crew of restorers from the History Channel show “American Restoration.”

Where is it?

In Downtown Las Vegas.

What do they sell?

All sorts of lovingly restored anitques, mostly of the classic Americana variety.

What are the prices like?

Very expensive.

What should I be sure to check out?

The Vegas specific items like the restored antique slot machines are pretty cool.

Why should I shop here?

Because you like the show and want to get an autograph.

What else do I need to know?

The cast of the show is almost always on site and you can get a tour of the facility.

What’s the bottom line?

Even if you aren’t a fan of the show and can’t afford what they sell, they have some really cool stuff on display here.

Fans of the TV show “American Restoration” on the History Channel will know this place immediately. It is the working home of Rick Dale and his colorful crew of restoration experts, who take everything from old Coca-Cola machines to gas pumps to children’s toys and beyond and bring them back to life with loving, sometimes obsessive, care.

The cool thing about this store is that not only can you browse through some of the treasures they have reinvigorated but you can take a tour of the facility to see the work areas and even meet the cast of the show. If he’s not too busy, Rick himself will even come out, shake hands, sign autographs, and pose for pictures.

In the showroom on the day I visited were some vintage soda machines, a giant surfboard, and some Vegas specific items including a vending machine from El Rancho, the first resort hotel to be built on what would eventually become The Strip.

The tour portion meanders through the facility, where you get to peer through giant windows at the workshops areas as a helpful guide explains the various portions of the process. Time it right and some of the familiar faces from the show may pop their heads out for a quick howdy-do. Kowboy and I bonded over our follicularly challenged pates.

There’s also a gift shop with hats, t-shirts, mugs, and more.

You’re going to need a big checkbook if you want to actually buy any of the restored items. A small, vintage slot machine sitting on top of a counter was going for nearly $9,000! Not saying it wouldn’t be worth it, especially for the amount of work that went into making it all shiny and new looking, but this stuff ain’t cheap.

They will also talk to you about any items you might have that you want them to restore. If it’s interesting enough, it might actually make it on the show.

The store is located in the Arts District between The Strip and Downtown.