Reno - Hot Stops
Here we include a short list of the most popular pit-stops in the Reno-Sparks area that burners with little-time on their hands typically want to check off as a stop before heading off to the playa. Although those listed tend to also be among our favorite shops, we defer to experience here in pointing out, although they are somewhat scattered around the region, there is a reason why these shops are so popular for the burner migrations. Please read on for the details...
The Melting Pot World Emporium
1049 S Virginia St - 775-322-9445 - map
Regular hours: Mon – Fri, 10-7, Sat. 11-7, Sun. 12-5. Week of Burning Man, open later. Closed Labor Day weekend.
Family-owned and operated by burners, this wonderful place is also a year-round and longtime favorite of the local and world burner community. Lots and lots of great, exotic, ethnic, futuristic, and fashionable costuming, clothing, lingerie, googles, bags, jewelry, masks, hats, pasties, capes, wings, hoola hoops, playa-safe boas, umbrellas, ready-to-go el-wire kits, flags, tapestries, playa gifts, carrying packs, poi, smoking tools, body and eco-friendly lotions and oils, and other curiosities...
The Melting Pot is also one of the few places on the planet that sells tickets to Burning Man, and the very last place to get a ticket before departing the pavement, as no tickets will be sold at the entrance to Black Rock City. Tickets will be available at The Melting Pot while supplies last, or at the very latest until August 29. Given these facts, it is still very much advised that you get your ticket well before embarking on your journey to the playa, such as at Burning Man Tickets Online. If you are fortunate to get a ticket at The Melting Pot though, EXACT CASH ONLY is accepted.
Save Mart
525 Keystone Ave - 775-786-2150 - map
This Save Mart every year increasingly goes out of their way for burners, and is the most popular spot among burners on their way to the playa. Normal hours are 6-1am, but they'll be open 24/7, just for Burning Man! Moreover, a Rideshare Base is to be found here, as well as Black Rock Bicycles and Kiwanis Bikes, and Recycling can also be found here in abundance!
An area of the Save Mart parking lot will be set aside to display LOTS AND LOTS of bulk-water that may be picked up after being purchased inside. They will also be carrying lots of 15 and 55-gallong barrels, spigots and pumps. Aquafill will also have a truck in the parking lot to fill up your barrels, containers, or RV's with Reverse Osmosis-filtered water!
Other specialty products will be located inside and outside of the store, including Black Rock Bicycles and Kiwanis Bikes and accessories, dry ice, tiki torches, medium sized propane tanks, small disposable propane tanks and stoves, bicycle tubes and lighting, large brim hats, vegetarian and vegan sandwich fillers (such as tofurky, tofudogs, and boca burgers), various energy bars and powders, sushi, reusable cups and other kitchenware and storage containers, canned beer and other booze, and coolers. Sharing in the spirit of the Greening Man theme, Save Mart is also carrying Cool Neon el-wire ready-kits, Crank flashlights, solar lanterns, rechargeable batteries, bio toilets, bio bags, biodegradable kitchenware, hemp rope, and 7th Generation bathroom-wares.
And, like most Save Marts in town, they will also be operating a Drive-Thru Recycling Center for this year's event! A free, multi-community project to promote recycling, this multi-year initiative is designed for your convenience, with no strings attached - just PLEASE have your recyclables as clean as possible. Bicycles, plastics (HDPE 1,2,3,4&5), plastic bags, glass, all metals (aluminum, tin, lead, steel, etc), paper, cardboard, and household batteries are all welcome. Moreover, garbage deposit will be available to recyclers at the rate of $3 per 35-gallon standard trash bag. All proceeds raised from this recycling initiative will be donated to support local environmental initiatives. Both the store and recycling center will be open 24/7 throughout the event until September 9. No worries, they are set up for maximum capacity!
But most notable here for those on a shoestring is that Save Mart will also be serving as a Rideshare Base during the event. What’s Rideshare? If you need a ride to the playa, as this Save Mart gets so much businesses from folks travelling to the playa every year and throughout the week, it is likely that you will be able to quickly land a ride here to the playa at any hour. Please just remember that offering to help out with gas is sometimes helpful, that not everyone shopping here is even interested in Burning Man, please remember to leave no trace, that everyone must wear a seatbelt in the vehicle, and most importantly, be comfortable with whom you may come to share a ride with.
ALSO (drum roll... ), if you are flying into Reno, and are wondering how to even get to here, there will be a free shuttle carrying folks from the airport to here in the early evening (when Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods – the other Rideshare Bases – will be closing. Please read the Reno-Tahoe Airport listing in the Plumb Lane hub for more info on the Rideshare Base Shuttle.
Twin City Surplus
1675 E 4th St - 775-323-5630 - Open 8-6, 10-4 Sun - map
Long-time mega magnet for burners, this place has a little of everything. They have an extended portion of their site just for Burning Man, and they are continuing to "go Green"! They will have the usual 35 and 55-gallon water barrels — will even let you fill them up there — along with the usual variety of tents, tarps, rope, goggles, clothing, stoves, and military-ware. Crank flashlights, Everlites, and solar lanterns are just a few of the many green-er items they are now carrying. Check out their website for their hot items.
Trader Joe's
5035 S McCarran Blvd - 775-826-1621 - Open 9 AM - 9 PM - map
In the Smithridge Shopping Plaza, a difficult place to maneuver and find open space for parking large spacecruisers, but heck, the legend of Trader Joe’s is well worth it! A very hot spot among local and world burners for great and novel foods at great prices!
But most notable here for those on a shoestring is that Trader Joe’s will also be serving as a Rideshare Base during the event. What’s Rideshare? If you need a ride to the playa, as Trader Joe’s gets so much businesses from folks travelling to the playa every year and throughout the week, it is likely that you will be able to quickly land a ride here to the playa (during store hours). Please just remember that offering to help out with gas is sometimes helpful, that not everyone shopping at Trader Joe’s is even interested in Burning Man, please remember to leave no trace, that everyone must wear a seatbelt in the vehicle, and most importantly, be comfortable with whom you may come to share a ride with.
ALSO (drum roll... ), if you are flying into Reno, and are wondering how to even get to here, there will be a free shuttle carrying folks from the airport to here. Please read the Reno-Tahoe Airport listing in the Plumb Lane hub for more info on the Rideshare Base Shuttle.
Whole Foods Market
6139 S Virginia St - 775-852-8023 - Open 8 AM - 9 PM - map
A very popular place among burners, Whole Foods is the largest healthy food store in town, with a huge variety of high-quality foods, body products, and some merchandise, and lots of bulk water in 2.5 and 5 gallon sizes on the side, just for Burning Man.
Also of special note, Whole Foods will also be serving as a Rideshare Base during the event. What’s Rideshare? If you need a ride to the playa, as Whole Foods gets so much businesses from folks travelling to the playa every year and throughout the week, it is likely that you will be able to land a ride here to the playa in short-order (during store hours). Please just remember that offering to help out with gas is sometimes helpful, that not everyone shopping here is even interested in Burning Man, please remember to leave no trace, that everyone must wear a seatbelt in the vehicle, and most importantly, be comfortable with whom you may come to share a ride with.
ALSO (drum roll... ), if you are flying into Reno, and are wondering how to even get to here, there will be a free shuttle carrying folks from the airport to here. Please read the Reno-Tahoe Airport listing in the Plumb Lane hub for more info on the Rideshare Base Shuttle.
And, finally, the most wonderful thing for last, Whole Foods will again be providing free recycling service in support of Burning Man. Acceptable recyclables include: Aluminum, tin, steel, glass, plastics (HDPE 1,2,4 & 5), household batteries, cardboard, paper, and bicycles. Your egg-shells, coffee grinds, and green-matter compost are also acceptable, just as long as it has not been in your mouth or otherwise contaminated with pathogens or chemicals. And... garbage deposit will be available to recyclers at the rate of $3 per 35-gallon standard trash bag. All proceeds raised from this recycling initiative will be donated to support local environmental initiatives. These services are available 24 hours from August 29 through September 9 -- all you have to do is drive in, and please have your recyclables as clean as possible and sorted before depositing, with everything going into the appropriate containers.
Prism Magic Clothing & Imports
2161 Pyramid Way - 75-356-5577 - map
Yup! On the way to the big ole Burn on Pyramid Way. Owned and operated by burners for burners, they specialize in tie-dye but have all sorts of fun 'Playa Wear'. Petticoats, animal bikes, costumes,, sarongs, hats, vintage clothing and other unique items. Black Rock Bicycles are also available. Stop on by & have some fun. XOXO. Lauren, Steve, Sabra, & Crew.
Junkee Clothing Exchange
960 S Virginia St.– 775-322-5868 - map
Open every day, 11am-8pm
Owned and operated by burners Jessica and Troy, Junkee Clothing Exchange is a wonderful journey back in time and space to find a huge variety of vintage and recycled clothing, fun hats, glasses, jewelry, shoes, masks, bicycles, as well as handmade costumes and other accessories for the playa. Also a place to sell back, recycle your playawear! Junkee’s is also house to some other shops, most notably the Burner Boutique
Simply Water
1070 Gentry Way – 775-337-8111 - map
Open regularly 9am-6pm, but will have special hours for Burning Man – call ahead for possible after-hours appointments. Purified water for 40 cents a gallon. Owner Mike Cadena's been to Burning Man. Bring your own container, buy one, or fill your RV directly.
Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse
5075 Kietzke Ln - 775-824-4750 - Open 6 AM - 9 PM, 8 AM - 8 PM Sun. - map
A bit larger than Home Depot, but just as friendly to burners, carrying all the basic building supplies for your shade or camp, flashlights, batteries, rebar, and other goods you might want...
Home Depot
6590 S Virginia St - 775-851-9600 - Open 6 AM - 9 PM, 7 AM - 8 PM Sun. - map
This Home Depot sets up an area specifically for Burners, stocked with all the basic building supplies for your shade or camp, flashlights, batteries, rebar, and other goods you might want.
Need more info? Try: Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority, Reno News and Review, Reno Gazette-Journal, Reno Magazine, Reno Passport, National Traffic and Road Closure Information, PlayReno, NevadaNet, goTahoe.com, Tahoe.com, Fernleynews.com. 
