Founder of Peppermill on Las Vegas Strip dies at 85

Bill Paganetti, who founded Peppermill Casinos, the parent company and namesake of the iconic Strip eatery, has died at the age of 85.

“His contributions to the industry and the regions where his businesses operated have left a lasting impact, as well as his history of kindness and generosity,” the company wrote Friday in a news release announcing his death.

Virginia Valentine, Nevada Resort Association’s president and CEO, reacted to Paganetti’s death.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of our esteemed colleague Bill Paganetti,” she wrote in a statement. “Bill’s impact on Reno and Northern Nevada cannot be overstated.”

Peppermill Casinos Inc.’s origin dates to 1971, when Paganetti, with lifelong friend Nat Carasali, first opened the Peppermill Coffee Shop and Lounge in Reno.

The following year, the Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge opened on the Strip, making its way into popular culture.

Films such as “Casino” and “Showgirls” have filmed there, and it has been visited by the likes of Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Guy Fieri, Criss Angel and local boxing legend Floyd Mayweather, according to the company.

On its website, the company touts a tribute: “In fact, Penn Jillette is such a fan that he had a custom booth, modeled after ours, built and installed in his home — now that’s a tribute!”

The Strip lounge and eatery celebrated its 51st anniversary Tuesday.

Nearly a decade after the first Reno cafe’s opening, the company had expanded into gaming, opening a small casino and motor lodge units in Northern Nevada.

By 1984, the company had opened properties in Sparks and Wendover and had acquired the Rainbow Club Casino in Henderson.

Currently, the company operates the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Western Village Inn in Sparks, Montego Bay Hotel Casino Resort in Wendover and the Peppermill in Las Vegas.

Paganetti was born in Petaluma, California.

“Embodying his life’s philosophy of ‘family first,’ Bill was a remarkable family man, married for over 50 years to his wife, Maryanne, with 5 children and 19 grandchildren he was very proud of,” the company wrote.

Valentine reflected on Paganetti’s legacy.

“He led the way in transforming the area’s resort and hospitality industry and cultivated an atmosphere centered on treating guests like family,” she wrote in the statement. “He was one of our industry’s visionaries and will be greatly missed. We share our sympathies with the Peppermill family and Bill’s large family of which he was most proud.”

This story has been updated to reflect Nevada Resort Association President & CEO Virginia Valentine’s updated statement on Bill Paganetti.

Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com. Review-Journal staffer Caitlin Lilly contributed to this story.