Closing time at Atlantic City's Copa Room

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Nov. 2 (UPI) -- The Copa Room in Atlantic City, N.J., is in the home stretch of its 26-year run as one of shore resort's premier entertainment venues.

Ben Vereen will put on the final show at the Copa this Saturday, leaving the place to the wrecking ball along with the rest of the Sands hotel and casino.

The Philadelphia Inquirer Thursday ran down some of the big names to have played the room, including Eddie Murphy, Robin Williams, Cher, the Dixie Chicks, Bob Dylan and, of course, Sinatra.

The 79-year-old lounge crooner Al Martino was on stage last Saturday night.

Pinnacle Entertainment plans to close the Sands Nov. 11, knock it down, and build a $1.5 billion resort in its place.