Las Vegas business Deadmau5 shares frustration after block party.

Las Vegas, Nev. (FOX5) – A free block party led by Deadmau5 and organized by Clark County last Thursday was marketed as an opportunity for businesses in the Sahara and nearby Maryland to get more customers.

However, some business owners say it has the opposite effect.

Shwa Laitar, owner of Avantpop Bookstore, said she was told the event would be a family-friendly parade and car show to help support local businesses, but instead it turned out to be a block party concert.

Lighter said local businesses weren’t told about the changes until a few days before the event because many had already stocked up on extra produce and food for extra customers and never showed up.

To make matters worse, he said, the organizers of the event made it difficult for some businesses to find customers by setting up fences and gates around the entrance.

“Don’t throw a party for adults who don’t care to shop at 10 or 11 p.m.,” Leitar says. “After the party, they might go to the coffee shop next door, but they don’t come to buy books or other shops to buy gifts. They’re getting angry, you know, they want to have fun.”

Days later, the mall was dealing with the aftermath of the event. Lighter said there are still some pieces of fencing and trash left, which has caused more frustration for some businesses.

On Friday, the day after the concert, Commissioner Tick Segerbloom apologized to the affected businesses, but some did not like the explanation.

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