Ike Dweck went to school to be a restaurant manager, but his family tie to a Las Vegas business pulled him in another direction. Today, he’s the third generation of his family to be involved in the Regis Galerie, which was founded by his grandfather and now is owned by his father. Dweck is the general manager of the art business, which has been operating at the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian since the resort’s opening. Recently, he sat down with VEGAS INC to talk family and business.
Tell us a little about your background.
I’m from Miami, Fla. I moved to Las Vegas 11 years ago after graduating from Florida International University in 2001.
What did you major in?
Business management along with hotel and restaurant management. I wanted to run my own restaurant.
Why the change of heart?
After college, I worked at a shop in Florida and it was just a slow business. I came out to Vegas to help my father out. Once I got out here, I abandoned all ideas of starting a restaurant and decided to help run the family business.
What type of artists does the Regis Galerie display?
We have Charles Fazzino, LLadró, Lalique, and Daum. We have over 40 different artists from glass pieces to furniture as well as paintings and carvings. There’s something for everyone to enjoy.
What type of art does the Galerie specialize in?
My father has a passion for Asian art. We have dedicated a lot of floor space to display it. I personally like it as well, especially the jade pieces.
What is the oldest or most expensive piece?
We’ve had pieces that date back to the 1500s. Our prices range from $20 to around $1.2 million.
Do you think Regis Galerie will stay in the family?
Of course. I plan on being involved as long as I can. My family isn’t the type to retire. However, there’s no definite answer as to who else in the family will get involved. I have a 17-year-old brother and a 4-month-old daughter, but I can’t say if they will be part of it directly or not.
How did the recession impact business?
We did OK, but it was a big-time struggle. We treated every customer well and with respect, and that’s what kept us in business. We learned that we can’t judge a book by its cover. We have a huge international customer base as well, so we didn’t rely solely on the U.S. economy.
What changes occurred during the recession?
We re-merchandized the store entirely. We ordered more affordable items and got rid of overpriced items.
Please discuss the recent changes surrounding the business.
We just added the jewelry section about two months ago. It’s doing really well and hitting all the projections we’ve set. It’s an industry none of us have been in, but we’re encouraged.
Have you seen famous faces in the store?
Michael Jackson has purchased a few items from us. We’ve seen Sylvester Stallone, Jerome Bettis, and Dr. Ruth. Former NFL player Tony Siragusa has also been here. He even let me try on his gigantic Super Bowl ring, which looked like it could fit around my waist.
Can you talk about how you select which items to display?
We find them all over the world. I used to travel a lot but the Internet has helped eliminate that as long as we trust the artist. We pick pieces that are original and high quality. I found out early that you can’t just pick pieces you like because you won’t be in business long.
How did your passion for art develop?
My passion is most directed at running a family business. Of course I like art, but my passion is in the business aspect. I started working as a teenager and went through the ranks in stocking, packing, operations and selling. Now, I’m the manager, and I love it.