Chris Flynn
Two Pair
First, the Inspiration.
Right at the time these chips were in play at the Sands and the Rat Pack ruled the Vegas Strip there was a new hotel opening in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington. It was located right next to the old Met Stadium and Met Center (now the site of the Mall of America). Called the Thunderbird it was built to capitalize on the fast growing area which came to be called the Bloomington Strip. The area was a new hub of entertainment and night life full of energy and promise. The NFL brought the expansion Vikings to the area. The Washington Senators moved to become the Minnesota Twins. The NHL also came to town with the Minnesota North Stars. The Thunderbird would become an icon in the area and was frequented by visiting professional sports teams when in town to play games and locals looking to explore this new area of attractions. Of course, there wasn’t gambling there - but I imagine what chips might have looked like if there was:
The solid retro lavender non-denom chip was my own add to be either a frac for cash games or a $500 for tourney play.
Recently the Thunderbird was demolished to make room for MOA expansion and thus the final blow to what was once the iconic Bloomington Strip. My set pays homage to the end of that era with a nod to The Sands and Vegas.
I love that the H Mold today is the exact same equipment used to produce so many classic chips from legal and illegal casinos and card rooms around the country including the Sands chips pictured above.
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