Archive
Haven on Earth
The owners of Haven on Earth in Reno announced in September that they would open a second location of the popular gluten-free bakery in Sparks. While an opening date hasn’t yet been announced, an address has. The new space will be in the Marina Marketplace on Prater Way. The bakery’s first location is on Double R Boulevard in South Reno. Dedicated to creating a space where gluten is never present, the bakery and deli serves breads, desserts, and lunch items made fresh in house, as well as offers custom cake orders.
The Grill at Quail Corners
The Grill at Quail Corners hit a milestone anniversary with 25 years under its belt. Brandi Nason purchased the business from its original owners, Sam and Diane Francovich, two years ago. The husband-and-wife team originally opened the restaurant in November 1999 as a fine-dining restaurant inspired by Sam’s family and its Nevada roots, dating back five generations.
Barrel & Bine
A new bar is coming to Longley Lane. Barrel & Bine plans to open by the end of the week, according to Owner Ken Hotchkiss, who previously owned and operated Capitol Beer & Tap Room in Sacramento for more than 13 years. The new business will serve beer and wine on draft as well as large-batch cocktails. A simple food menu will be “small but creative,” according to Hotchkiss.
The new business is going into the former Growler Guys location, which closed permanently in 2024. Staff will use the existing tap system for the beverage program, although Hotchkiss mentioned some changes have been made to the business.
Nikki’s Candy
Nikki’s Candy, a Swedish candy store, opened its doors on Oct. 28 in the Trader Joe’s shopping center on South McCarran in Reno. The shop is owned by Reno resident Nichole Patterson. Guests are invited to come in and mix their own candy bags from several vibrant options or choose a signature pre-mixed bag. Nikki’s Candy is a family affair. Nichole’s daughter, Vivian, created all of the artwork and the logo for the business.
Good Days Café
Good Days Café, located near the University of Nevada, Reno campus, celebrated its grand opening Oct. 24 – 26. The weekend kicked off with free coffee to Wolf Card holders on Friday followed by a weekend of bottomless mimosas, DJs, and plenty of caffeine. Derek Sornson, who also owns Dubs Sports Lounge, opened the business in the former Laughing Planet spot. He first announced his new project to the community in July.
Schussboom Brewing Company Becomes Gold Sponsor for U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
This year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree is coming from Nevada. And Schussboom Brewing Co. in Reno is part of the cross-country efforts to move the tree from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to Mt. Rose Ski Tahoe and eventually to Washington D.C.
Along the way, through Nevada and Arizona, Schussboom will serve three beers made by them to celebrate “The People’s Tree.” The three beers were sampled at Schussboom’s after-party following the Mount Rose public viewing Oct. 25. They include Abies Magnifica, a nod to the tree’s species, a hazy IPA dubbed Comstock Lode, and a Bavarian Pilsner named Ghost of Christmas Pils. All beers are available for purchase at the brewery in South Reno.
House of Bread
House of Bread in Reno celebrated its 25th anniversary on Oct. 25, 2025, with 25-cent cinnamon rolls. Nathalie and Tim Atwell are the current owners of the long-standing Reno bakery and restaurant. They purchased the business in 2017 from the original Reno franchisees Eric and Chris Breeze, who owned it for 18 years prior. It is a franchise of the House of Bread Bakery Cafe company that started in 1996 in San Luis Obispo, Calif. The business is known mostly for its fresh-baked breads and desserts, including quick breads and cookies, but it also offers a selection of soups, salads, and sandwiches for lunch out of the California Avenue storefront.
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 “Kelly,” retired. The famous cowboy hat and rifle sign have been removed from the outside of the building and the marquee reads “WE ARE CLOSED.” Photo by Nora Tarte
Karajillo & Co.
Karajillo & Co. is a new coffee-to-cocktails business opening in Downtown Reno. The concept comes from Sergio Romero and Rene Preciado, owners of Toro Bravo, which is just a few doors down. During the day, the restaurant’s employees will serve coffee and pastries while in the evening hours the business will transform into a vibrant bar specializing in craft cocktails, fine wines, and artisanal beers. The owners hope to host a grand opening in November.
The space previously housed Blind Dog Tavern, which shuttered on New Year’s Day.
In addition to their collaborative Mexican steakhouse, Toro Bravo, Romero owns La Condesa in Reno while Preciado is the owner of Mexcal in Reno.
Silk Café & Bar
Silk Café & Bar, a modern Vietnamese restaurant and bar serving boba, coffee, and premium teas alongside a full lineup of classic Vietnamese dishes, will be opening in Sparks at the former location of Mi Pueblo on Prater Way. Silk Café owners have teased their opening on social media, announcing a grand opening that’s just weeks away. Menu items include shrimp and tofu pad Thai, black pepper beef fillet noodles, and a fried chicken and rice plate. The business is brought to you by owners Toan Loi, the former chef de cuisine at the Asian Kitchen at Atlantis Casino Resort in Reno, and his wife Phoi Sin. Stop by for coffee and specialty drinks all day long or experience their signature cocktails, beer, and wine.
The Mi Pueblo market, at 1450 E. Prater Way, Ste. 104, closed in October 2025. The business dates back to 1991 and merged with Cardenas Markets in 2017.
DOPO Truckee
Greg Buchheister, owner of Coffeebar (with California and Nevada shops) and DOPO in Reno, is opening a third DOPO location in The Old Lumberyard project in Downtown Truckee. While diners will enjoy the same core menu items as those at the Reno DOPO locations, guests can expect several original menu concepts at the Truckee location. Buchheister hopes to open Dec. 1. The Old Lumberyard was the home of Truckee Tahoe Lumber Co. from 1931 to 2020. Currently, it features artist lofts, EV charging stations, and transportation developments such as a transit center. It also will include an outdoor community gathering space and other food-and-beverage concepts, including FiftyFifty Brewing Co., which plans to move from its current Truckee location to the new center. Photos courtesy of Greg Buchheister and rendering from The Old Lumberyard
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 coffeehouse’s 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.
Jake’s on the Lake
Jeff Hill, one of the managing partners for Jake’s on the Lake, just announced that the Tahoe City waterfront restaurant will close on Nov. 1 after nearly 50 years in business as the owners continue negotiations with their property management company. The hope is to reopen in May 2026 and only be open in the summers. Hill said that’s the only time the restaurant is profitable. But whether or not that will be possible is still up in the air.
Paris Baguette
Husband-and-wife team Jim Yoell and Eva Chen are bringing Paris Baguette to Reno. The couple are hoping to open their doors at 3923 and 3929 S. McCarran Blvd. in late 2025 or spring 2026. The franchise has more than 4,000 locations worldwide, including more than 200 in the U.S. The menu will specialize in freshly baked pastries, handcrafted cakes, and made-to-order coffees.
Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs
Leaders at Northern Nevada Public Health bestowed an award for Excellence in Food Safety to Peg’s Glorified Ham and Eggs in Lemmon Valley in October. The award is given out quarterly to recognize businesses that thrive in food safety practices and staff training.
Bryant McDowell
Bryant McDowell was announced as the new state entomologist with Nevada’s Division of Plant Health and Compliance. Hailing from Texas, and earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in science from Texas A&M University, his new role oversees protection of agricultural and natural resources in the state from invasive pests, support for Nevada plant health programs, and the Nevada Department of Agriculture’s entomology laboratory and collection.
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.
Coffeebar
This month, Coffeebar celebrated 15 years in business. Greg Buchheister opened the first location in Truckee in October 2010. He now operates 10 storefronts across California and Nevada, including the roastery in Reno, that are focused mostly on coffee and pastries. During the week of Oct. 6 – 12, the business offered 15 percent off at retail locations to celebrate 15 years in business. Buchheister also owns two DOPO locations in Reno.
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.
Ryan’s Saloon & Broiler
Ryan’s Saloon & Broiler in Reno is changing hands again. Leigh and Ian Stafford (who have owned the restaurant since 2018) announced on Facebook that they would be ushering in new ownership effective Oct. 14. T. Duncan Mitchell, former owner of Von Bismarck restaurant and Chapel Tavern, purchased the bar. While the business adjusts, interruptions to regular operating hours may occur, according to the post, and those who have bought into the football pool will be refunded.
Cal Neva Crystal Bay
The old Cal Neva property in Crystal Bay at Lake Tahoe is under new ownership. Leadership at Proper Hotels has announced plans to reopen the space in 2027, one year after its 100th anniversary. In addition to 198 remodeled guest rooms, the resort will include several food and beverage concepts. One of the more exciting announcements relates to a members-only beach club called Proper Club and features a private indoor-outdoor clubhouse, a Hi-Fi listening room, and private wine cellars.
Great Basin Community Food Co-op
Sept. 14 marked 20 years in business for the Great Basin Community Food Co-op in Reno. The community-owned grocery store focuses on selling organic goods and promoting sustainable practices. It first opened its doors in 2005. The co-op’s leaders reopened the Foodshed Café on the second floor in 2024.
Montesa
The Ritz Carlton, Lake Tahoe in Truckee is opening a new slope-side dining concept on Oct. 23 dubbed Montesa. The modern cantina will serve elevated Mexican street food and spirits with specialties that include heirloom corn masa tortillas made in house daily and salted-rim cocktails. The restaurant’s moniker is inspired by the Spanish word for rugged mountain to punctuate its location in the Sierra Nevada and as an apres-ski destination.
Fuego and Bali
Owners of the Bali Express food truck based out of Reno celebrated their two-year anniversary by opening a brick-and-mortar location in Carson City called Fuego and Bali on July 8. The restaurant serves an extended menu of Balinese cuisine and plans to hold a grand opening event on Oct. 19.
Land Ocean
Land Ocean is opening another location, this time in Spanish Springs, owner Karoline Platt confirmed. The new location (in the building that once hosted Mr. Crab and Campo) plans to open in February 2026 and will serve the same menu as other Land Ocean restaurants.
