Closures
De Leon Mexican Food
After an early morning fire in October, De Leon Mexican Food on California Avenue in Reno closed. A GoFundMe was started (and reposted to the restaurantโs Instagram page) to support the eateryโs efforts to get back up and running. For now the future of De Leon is still uncertain.
Lillo Eatery
Lillo Eatery, in the former site of Pola Poke Bowls, opened on Plumb Lane in Reno in March 2025. Less than one year later, the eatery shuttered for good, officially closing in January 2026. Brittany Walshaw owned both Lillo and Pola Poke. Shawn Giordano and his wife Marcia, who co-own Madein restaurant in Mayberry Landing in Reno, plan to open a new breakfast-and-lunch concept in the space in March of this year.
Rickโs Deli Cafe
After 30 years in business, the owners of Rickโs Deli Cafe in Reno announced that their final day was Jan. 16. In a social media post, owners claim a rent increase forced them out of their Double R Boulevard storefront.
LEX Nightclub
LEX Nightclub at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno closed on Jan. 1 after a final New Yearโs Eve event titled โThe Last Dance.โ It had been open for 11 years. The nightclub is being reimagined into a new entertainment venue as the GSR undergoes an extensive expansion in coming years.ย
DOPO at Reno Public Market
The owner of DOPO at Reno Public Market in Reno announced the closure of this location via social media on Jan. 5. The pizza-and-pasta joint has two other locations โ one in Renoโs Riverwalk District and the other in Truckee. The latter opened officially on Dec. 2, 2025.
In the post it was mentioned that owner closed the food-hall location to focus on full-dining experiences at the restaurant locations.
Lulou’s Restaurant
The first casualty of 2026, Lulouโs Restaurant announced its closure after more than 26 years in business. The Midtown restaurant, owned by Chef Troy Cannan and his wife Coleen, was known for fine dining and a creative menu.
The owners announced their plans to focus on their other two Reno restaurants, neighboring businesses Kauboi Izakaya and Willieโs Pasta Shop, which previously shared staff with Lulouโs. Photos by Shea Evans.
Batch Cupcakery
The South Reno location of Batch Cupcakery has closed after owner Ann Archer chose not to renew the lease on the South Creek address. Her Midtown Reno location, however, is still up and running with plenty of baked goods available for sale and classes and other events planned for the future.
Zagol
The owner of Zagol, Northern Nevada’s sole Ethiopian restaurant, announced plans to close the establishment on Jan. 28. After years of being unsuccessful in finding a successor for the business, Shita Yenenh, who has been operating Zagol alone for 15 years, has decided to close her doors for good. Stop by for one last meal 4 โ 8 p.m. Tues. โ Sat. in the Mira Loma shopping center in Reno.
Photos by Shea Evans from our story on Zagol in our Fall 2013 edition.
Shooters Saloon
Shooters Saloon closed quietly at the end of September, marking the end of an era for those who had found the Downtown Reno dive bar over the years. While no official announcement was made, locals have been waxing poetic about their grungiest times spent at the Virginia Street bar online, and rumors suggest the owner, known publicly only as โKelly,โ retired. The famous cowboy hat and rifle sign have been removed from the outside of the building and the marquee reads โWE ARE CLOSED.โ Photo by Nora Tarte
Swill Coffee and Wine
After 10 years in Reno, the owners of Swill Coffee and Wine will cease operations of their business on Oct. 30. The Lakeside Drive coffeehouseโs owners bid a fond farewell to their customers in a social media post announcing their plans to close. They cited rising rent costs for their closure.
Von Bismarck
On Oct. 8, T. Duncan Mitchell announced he is permanently closing Von Bismarck restaurant in Reno. It will close on Oct. 26. In an emotional social media post he cited the toll on his family of running a restaurant, including a reduced amount of time available to spend with them. A new restaurant, called Malaya Eats, is going into the space, which is at 805 Wells Ave. Mitchell noted that he will step back into the bar world, where familiar faces from Von Bismarck will be found. Mitchell created and sold two Reno bars: Chapel Tavern and 40 Mile Saloon on South Virginia Street. Downtown Makeover reported that the property that houses Von Bismarck sold to the owner of Mayala Eats, a small food truck/trailer with a West Street Market address downtown (148 West St.). It’s described as a veteran-owned business that serves Filipino-American cuisine using organic whole food ingredients.
Lili’s Restaurant & Bar
Lili’s Restaurant & Bar in Reno closed in July. The closure was confirmed in September mostly by social media sleuths. A specific reason for the closure is unclear. Lili’s Restaurant & Bar served both breakfast and lunch in Franktown Corners and was known for its Hawaiian menu, featuring crack chicken and spam masubi. The owners appear to have been at the helm of the business for seven or eight years prior to the closure.
Shedcat Distillery and Kitchen
Shedcat Distillery and Kitchen is bidding Lake Tahoe adieu. The South Lake food-and-beverage concept will close after just more than two years in business. The businessโ owner posted a farewell notice to his Instagram account, citing rising rent as the reason for closure. The final goodbye is scheduled for Aug. 3, with a big bash planned, offering live music and heavy discounts on everything, including bottled spirits.ย Photo by Brooke Reyes, Dreampilot Films
Star Village Coffee
The owners of Star Village Coffee in Reno announced on July 29 that they would not extend their lease at their Mill Street address due to issues reaching a deal with landlords. While they have expressed a desire to find a new home for their native-owned coffeehouse, a new address has not yet been announced. In a lengthy post on social media, Star Village owners spoke candidly about the struggles of being a native business owner.
Jรผs
Juฬs, owned by brothers Adam and Jon Castleman, closed all three of its locations as of July 26. In addition to signs on the doors, the website was updated with a message for customers that cited prorated returns would be given for memberships. The closures come after 15 years in business. The first location was opened in Spanish Springs in 2011 before it underwent a rebrand and moved permanently to Damonte Ranch in 2012. A second location in Midtown Reno was announced in 2014 and the third storefront opened in 2024 in Northwest Reno.
Truckee Bagel Co.
On July 12, Truckee Bagel Co., owned by Andy Gagnon, closed the Midtown Reno location after 10 years in business. July 25 marks the last day of operation. The bagel shopโs Galena storefront in the Raleyโs shopping center, celebrating 25 years in business this year, will remain open. The company dates back to 1994.
Rice Box Kitchen andย Noodle Box Kitchen
Perapol Damnernphokul, owner of Rice Box Kitchen and Noodle Box Kitchen, announced the last day of operation as July 26. The two places were created with the goal of bringing Damnernphokulโs San Francisco-style Thai cuisine to Reno and the brand started with Rice Box Kitchen on South Virginia Street in Midtown in 2021. In the summer of 2023, Noodle Box Kitchen opened in the space next door to The Discovery museum on Center Street. It wasnโt long before Damnernphokul combined the two eateries into one location, offering both his rice-based dishes and noodle-based dishes (plus dim sum and hot pot). During his more than four years in business, Damnernphokul landed several Yelp awards and hosted many culinary-driven events at his restaurants. His social media posts announcing the closure were met with many disappointed responses from community members that have come to love Damnernphokulโs unique cuisine. Photos by Candice Vivien.
The Flavor Studio
After seven years in operation, The Flavor Studio in Reno is closing. The business offered a variety of food-, wine-, and spirits-tasting events to the public. Aracelli Barrera, who worked as the chef at the business,ย took over as owner two years ago after the passing of its founder, Laurel Pine. Barrera is closingย primarily due to location challenges and new building ownership. However, she says she will continue to offer private catering, pop-up events, and website sales of caviar, wagyu, and foie gras atย Enjoyfoiegras.com.ย
Alibi Ale Works
Alibi Ale Worksโ brewery and barrelhouse at 204 E. Enterprise St. in Incline Village is closing. However, its two other locations โ one in Incline Village and the other in Truckee โ will remain open.
Grafted Whiskey & Wine
Grafted Whiskey & Wine served its last drink on Feb. 21, 2025, with the owners announcing its closure via Facebook. The husband-and-wife co-owners, Jade and Chad Bogan, referenced a desire to focus on their nonprofit, Grafted Kitchen, serving at-risk youth, in honor of their late son.
Lone Eagle Grille
Hyatt Regency Lake Tahoe Resort, Spa and Casinoโs leaders closed Lone Eagle Grille on Feb. 27, 2025, after 30 years in business. Rumor has it that a new location of the internationally renowned NOBU is headed to the shores of Lake Tahoe in its place.
Sabrinaโs West End Kitchen
Sabrinaโs West End Kitchen closed permanently on Feb. 8, 2025, after eight years in business.
