Flecha Cantina

Flecha Cantina

Mark Wahlberg Expands His Las Vegas Empire

BY STACEY GUALANDI AND JJ SNYDER / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF FLECHA CANTINA

“Right now, everything is about longevity.”

Mark Wahlberg is focused on the long game. Not just on the golf course, but in his extensive entertainment career, ever-expanding entrepreneurial empire, and endless exercise routines.

“I got up today at 2:30 this morning,” boasts the 53-year-old former rapper-turned-actor-turned-investor.

The notorious early riser has workouts to complete, films to shoot, businesses to buy, and restaurants to open—like the over 10,000-square-foot Flecha Cantina by Mark Wahlberg.

This is his second “Mexican redefined” restaurant and the latest venture in his newly adopted home of Las Vegas.

“When I came, I wanted to make sure that I was bringing something to the table,” says Wahlberg. “I’ve made two films here already and put a lot of money into the economy. Everything we do is based on quality, whether it be the gym experience, the studio experience, film, television, or restaurants. We want to bring something to the community and create jobs and opportunities.”

Wahlberg is referring to his recent announcements that he plans to build a Sony Entertainment movie studio and a luxury fitness space called Municipal Gym, inspired by his Municipal athletic clothing line—two projects that will surely secure his foothold in Sin City.

“I’ve had many, many failures, but those are the most valuable experiences,” says Wahlberg. “If you’re always winning, you don’t pay attention. You get super comfortable, and it’s through the hardships and the mistakes that I’ve made that are invaluable as far as learning and then making sure, most importantly, that I’m in business with the right people.”

Chic Compass contributors Stacey Gualandi and JJ Snyder got a prime table with the Flecha Cantina team: Mark Wahlberg, managing partner and co-founder Randy Sharpe, and chef Cristhian Salazar at the recent grand opening and talked tequila, salsa temperature, and why everything is good on ice.

Stacey Gualandi: After premiering Flecha Cantina in Huntington Beach, it didn’t take long to launch a sequel here in Las Vegas!

Mark Wahlberg: Of course, because it’s my home. It’s my backyard. I live 15 minutes away from here. We’re here as often as possible, and it’s nice because my family comes, we hang out, and we come to brunch. It’s nice because it’s Vegas, but it’s geared toward the community and the locals versus on the Strip, where it’s much more of a tourist attraction, which I like.

JJ Snyder: Flecha is between Summerlin and Henderson, but it’s not far from the Strip.

Mark Wahlberg: No, it’s not! So, we’re hoping that people will come and see us, and then eventually, we’ll probably put something further down the Strip. But for us, the first time being part of the community and catering to the locals was very exciting for us.

Stacey Gualandi: Why did it make sense for you, Randy, to partner up with Mark and to be a part of this particular project?

Randy Sharpe: Well, obviously, having a partner like Mark is pretty special…

Mark Wahlberg: …There are pros and cons as we go. Ha!

Randy Sharpe: No, there haven’t been any cons yet, except when you almost have a fire in the restaurant. But as long as we put it out, we were okay. I’ve probably had a hundred fires in my life in restaurants; that’s the only one that kept me on the phone all day long!

Stacey Gualandi: Well, isn’t that good publicity?

Mark Wahlberg: I mean, look, it’s brought a lot of awareness to the restaurant. No pun intended, but we’re the hottest restaurant in the world right now. Ha!

Randy Sharp: The most important thing for us is that we’re trying to build a business focused on quality, family, and everything Mark and we believe in. To be a great business partner, you have to be available. Mark is always available for us when we need advice. It works better than I ever thought, and I’ve been doing this for 30 years.

Mark Wahlberg: I also want people to understand that this is not just a celebrity restaurant. I was smart enough and savvy enough to partner with great chefs and great operators, the people who are serious adults in this space—which is why we’re successful. It’s really about what they’re creating and what we’re creating together as a partnership. I want to make sure that we give them the opportunity to talk about the food, the experience, and the things that they’re providing. I obviously wouldn’t be successful and wouldn’t be in business if it wasn’t for them.

JJ Snyder: I like that you’re catering to families with the Sunday brunch, but then it’s not just Taco Tuesday—it’s tacos and tequila! Everyone universally—whether you drink or not—loves happy hour. You gotta have a good one.

Chef Cristhian Salazar: We have a $5 happy hour for lunch and a regular happy hour with our famous street tacos, queso fundido, and ceviche. It’s really good. Our Micheladas and our famous margaritas are there.

Stacey Gualandi: Do those margaritas include your Flecha Azul tequila?

Mark Wahlberg: It’s an important part, but we’re serving many other tequila brands. We even carry my friend Kevin Hart’s tequila. He also had a cocktail on the menu, which I wasn’t sure about at first because we were in competition. But we’re very supportive. We want to make sure that we have whatever the customer wants. If they’re interested in what additive-free premium tequila’s supposed to taste like, we encourage them to try Flecha.

JJ Snyder: Personal question on the food angle. Salsa: mild, medium, or hot, and why?

Mark Wahlberg: Medium, personally, especially because I’ve been eating so strictly that once you open that box up, it’s hard to stop. I just ate a giant bowl of chips, so I’m trying to save room for some of my favorite items on the menu.

Stacey Gualandi: Is that why you announced your new luxury gym, to work off all the chips?

Mark Wahlberg: It’s going to be called Municipal Gym. There’s fitness and recovery, but a big emphasis on recovery and rejuvenation therapy. We’re going to have treatments that you have never seen in Vegas.

It’s much easier to stay in shape than get in shape, and some people have been training the wrong way. I want to teach people and share my experience. I’ve had to learn the hard way with all the aches, pains, and injuries I’ve had while making movies. Sharing that with others can help them avoid those mistakes and, more importantly, start earlier. You know, a lot of people have a lot of excuses. There are a million reasons why they might not want to go to the gym or why they prioritize other things.

It’s about finding one good reason to prioritize your health, wellness, mental, physical, and spiritual health. It’s also about finding balance while still being able to enjoy life. The healthier the lifestyle and the balance, the better you feel. Eat right, exercise, celebrate victories, go out and have fun, enjoy cheat meals—but then get back on your training again.

JJ Snyder: We’re very excited about Municipal Gym. I love that it focuses on luxury fitness and recovery, which isn’t emphasized much. Stacey and I work out together, and we’re about to do a liver cleanse, which involves something trendy: intermittent fasting.

Mark Wahlberg: Which I do often.

JJ Snyder: For those of our readers who have never tried cryotherapy—submersing themselves in ice—what’s that about? Why is it valuable? It sounds crazy.

Mark Wahlberg: I start every day by getting in the cold tub for four to six minutes. That reduces all the inflammation and gets my endorphins going. I have this dopamine rush for, I don’t know, three or four hours. I feel no pain or aches in the gym working out.

People in my life have been pushing me to try it for quite some time. I was always old school: I’d eat too much protein, lift too much weight, and never take time off. I always thought if you’re taking a day off, you’re missing out. But recovery is just as important—if not more so—right now.

Eighty-five percent of fitness is nutrition, 15 percent is exercise, and recovery is a huge part of it. I’m training to be around for a while, be able to move and function, and do the things I’ve wanted to do with my kids for as long as possible.

JJ Snyder: Speaking of kids, your youngest daughter, Grace, is an equestrian. I grew up with horses as well. Are you enjoying the Old West aspect of the Las Vegas Valley? There’s a lot of history here.

Mark Wahlberg: Absolutely. It’s been very cool. We’ve got a lot of stuff happening, and my whole life now revolves around being an equestrian dad. She’s 14 years old!

To have the discipline—it took me until my 40s to become that disciplined, and she’s doing it at 14 and doing it full time. It’s incredible.

And the best thing about it is when we go to a competition, people will say, “She’s a great jumper, she’s a great rider, but she’s an even nicer person.” That’s the most important thing. [Grace] does all the little stuff herself. She’s not too important to go and shovel horse poop, clean, and groom the horses. She’s doing everything, but she’s also kind and respectful to everybody she encounters. That’s the thing I’m most proud of.

Stacey Gualandi: Everything you do is a family affair. So, last question: Will you attend the new Las Vegas residency this summer called “New Kids on the Block: The Right Stuff?”

Mark Wahlberg: Ha! I’m gonna take [my friend Mikey] over there to see the concert… [But] every time I go, they’ll start playing “Good Vibrations.” Somebody will hand me a microphone and keep trying to get me up [on stage].

JJ and Stacey: Yesssssss!

Mark Wahlberg: I haven’t done it yet. We’ll figure out when the right time is. I’m excited that my brother is going to be here in Vegas. It’s always good to catch up with him and connect.

JJ and Stacey: And it’s always terrific to catch up and connect with you! Thanks, Team Flecha!