Today we'll be talking about the popular Normandie club that was located in Gardena, California at the location on South Vermont Avenue before moving to 1045 West Roserans Avenue from the years of 1947 up until 2016, before changing into the Lucky Lady Casino. The Normandie Club was originally opened up by Russ Miller who was a former doorman at the Embassy Club for Ernie Primm. Miller would acquire the Western Club, built in 1940 and would later turn it into the Normandie Club. Once the Normandie Club was up and running it would join the Embassy Club which was opened in 1938. Lots of you who know already will immediately think about TRK or TR King Co, the famous large and small crown chips that many places in California used and I think all early clubs in Gardena did. Business would stay steady at the Normandie through the 60s and into the 80s when they would move the club to 1045 Rosecrans Avenue. After moving locations the Normandie would introduce 7-stud and Hold'em to the casino as well as Blackjack, Pai Gow, and Super 9, which was a fast-paced game that resembled baccarat. Russ Miller and his wife Mary would leave the Normandie to their four sons just before the year 2000. At this time, it would be the oldest card club in the state of California and it would have a very special place in history. The club would be open until 2016 when Larry Flynt would purchase the property and would have liked to turn it into a Vegas-style resort. With doing so, he also changed the name to the Lucky Lady Casino which is still open today.

I have got to say, this was a very fun video to research and produce. I knew that these Gardena clubs were popular, but I never noticed how much of an impact they made on the LA county and California as a whole. Being that Gardena was at one point called the "Poker Capital of the World" means that they were doing something right! Hopefully you guys enjoy the video and learn something, let me know what you think! Thanks.

https://youtu.be/25sxVO2oErg