Reno - S. Virginia Street & S. Kietzke Lane
Trade your sanity on the streets for Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. If this city had traffic engineers, they missed this area entirely. It's in the top 10 busiest intersections in the area.
S. Virginia & S. Kietzke
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St Mary's Family Walk In Health
6580 S Virginia St - 775-853-3333 - Open 9-9, 9-6 Sun
US-395 Exits #62 and #63, South Virginia Street, South Kietzke Lane, and South McCarran Blvd.
This area is a good example of how to confuse locals and visitors alike. This two-square mile area is awash in suburban shopping potential, while, as noticeable with the freeway on and offramps here, getting and leaving here can be a bit confusing.
Decades ago when the city planners mapped out and built the US-395 interchanges here, they made three exits for southbound travelers, and only one exit to this area for northbound travelers (at Neil Road).
So if you're interested in shopping here, please read closely the following directions.
NORTHBOUND on US-395, South Virginia
If you are traveling northbound on US-395, there is only one exit to access these vast lands of shopping. Take the Neil Road exit #62, turn right, going east one block to South Virginia. At this intersection are St. Mary's Urgent Care (daytime hours only) and Home Depot. Turn right on South Virginia to get to Target, Sierra Trading Post, and a Quizno's.
If you continue south, you will eventually come to the South Virginia Exit #62, South Meadows, and then Damonte Ranch hubs.
Back at the intersection of Neil Road and South Virginia, Whole Foods Market (formerly known as Wild Oats) is immediately on your left, for a huge variety of healthy foods. Moreover, since they now have the space, they also are hosting Rideshare in their parking lot, and will be ready to take your recyclables as well as your garbage off your hands – see below for fuller details.
Up Virginia Street from Neil you will be heading north, and in that direction you'll find plenty of shopping and fast-food possibilities deep on all sides, some of which may attract your fancy. A navigator comes in handy here, giving them the opportunity to note what's lining the road while the driver can focus on the traffic in this busy area. Traffic often jams up around here, so please be careful!
You will pass a Jiffy Lube on your right, with Meadowood Mall and its dozens of shops behind it, then Bank of America on your left, and up about 1/4 mile, still on your left is Best Buy and Barnes & Noble.
Some of the more notable burner hot spots are still a little further on, so hang on! You will soon run into Reno's largest intersection, South McCarran and South Virginia. At 8-14 lanes to both streets, make sure you know where you want to go ahead of time! Here are two turns you can take from here to some burner hot spots.
South McCarran
Turning right from South Virginia onto South McCarran, going east, you will find Smithridge Shopping Plaza immediately to your left, home of Trader Joe's, Pep Boys, Toys 'R Us, Woo Chan Japanese and Sushi, a Port of Subs, Beads Etc., Long's Drugs, and Big Lots. Parking is ridiculously tight, so you may have to park toward the middle of the lot and hoof it toward whatever businesses are calling your name, especially if you are driving a large pirate ship.
If you find yourself in need of a reputable auto shop, Mike's Automotive Perfection is in the area and can be found by continuing east on South McCarran about a mile, then turning right on Longley Lane. Call them for directions and an appointment for your serious car repair needs. 775-827-5600.
Further east along South McCarran, down about 2 miles you will find Buckbean Brewing Company, our only local brewer with great beer in 16 oz CANS!
South Kietzke
From this intersection of South Virginia and South McCarran, west on McCarran (a left turn if you were driving north on Virginia) will bring you under the freeway and up a hill, covering about a quarter mile between Virginia and Kietzke.
At the top of the hill, to your immediate left is a small shopping center, which is home to Baja Fresh, Mimi's Cafe, 7-11 with fuel, Jamba Juice, Panda Express, and PF Chang's. Across Kietzke from here on your left is Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, a giant hardware and general building-supplies store with friendly staff and well-stocked shelves. Lowe's has been very good to burners for years!
Also at this intersection of McCarran and Kietzke, The Mission car wash is on your right. Get your car shiny! They ask that burners "call and ask about our Burning Man specials." 775-827-4222.
If you are looking for groceries or sporting goods, turn right on Kietzke from McCarran. At the next light (Redfield Parkway) turn left.
If you are looking for other groceries options or for sporting goods, turn right on Kietzke from McCarran, where on your left you will find Save Mart, then Safeway, and Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Circuit City, and Sports Authority can be found behind Safeway.
SOUTHBOUND on US-395, South Kietzke
If you're traveling southbound on US-395, you have three exits to choose from, but there's only one that you really need. The first exit for the area is #63, South Virginia and Kietzke Lane. NOTE that this offramp splits in two, each delivering travelers to one of these big streets.
Following the Kietzke fork of the exit (the left lane of the offramp) takes you to Save Mart, Sports Authority, Safeway, Wallyworld, Sam’s Club, Circuit City, and Sports Authority as you continue straight across Kietzke Lane from the exit.
If you turn left from the exit onto Kietzke, you will soon come to South McCarran, and there you will see Lowe’s Home Improvement on the right, caretaker of many-a-Burner over the years..
South McCarran
If you take the South Virginia fork at exit #63 (the right lane), you'll probably want to turn left at the bottom of the offramp. The first light will be the South Virginia and South McCarran intersection. Taking a left on McCarran will place you with the Smithridge Shopping Plaza on your left. Please see the previous description (Northbound on US-395, South McCarran) of this tight lot, home to Trader Joe's among other things. Further down South Virginia are notably Whole Foods Market, Home Depot, and Target.
Now, how do you get out of this area? Aren't there any onramps for the freeway that arches over everything? Read on for more info on getting back on track for going home!
Getting back on 395 North from South Virginia
You've got two choices to get back on 395 northbound, which will eventually get you to I-80 and BRC. There's a northbound ramp at South McCarran and Virginia, next to Chili's at the Smithridge Shopping Plaza. Another choice (unless you're already heading north on Virginia) is on Neil Road, down by the Whole Foods and Taco Bell.
Getting back on US-395 South from South Virginia / Kietzke
There is only one onramp from this area to get back on US-395 southbound. You'll need to take Virginia Street or Kietzke Lane south until you reach Neil Road. From Virginia, turn right, from Kietzke, turn left. The onramp is a block ahead from either direction.
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 sserving 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.
Save Mart
4995 Kietzke Ln - 775-827-5350 / 775-825-3322 - Open 6 AM - 1 AM - map
This Save Mart has seen a steadily increasing stream of Burner business for some time, and plans for our numbers by ordering many burner-novelty items and large quantities of (2.5 and 5 gallon) bulk water in August. Dry ice, bulk water, organic produce, camping needs, el-wire kits, sushi are just some of the many items you can find here.
Safeway
4823 Kietzke Ln - 775-823-2300 / 775-823-2323 - map
Open 24/7, grocery, dry ice, pharmacy. The Reno Safeway stores almost always have beautiful produce, but this store also has slightly more upscale varieties of fresh pasta, deli items, prepared sauces, and the like. Be warned, though: getting out of this parking lot can be confusing.
Wal-Mart Super Center
4855 Kietzke Lane - 775-829-8088 / 775-829-4413 - map
Open 24/7, no dry ice.
Target
6845 Sierra Center Pkwy - 775-853-8900 - Open 8 AM - 10 PM, 8 AM - 9 PM Sun - map
Carries a wide variety of merchandise and clothing and has a pharmacy.
Long's Drugs
5019 S. McCarran - 775-826-0818 - Open 7 AM - 10 PM, 8 AM - 8 PM Sun - map
Camping supplies, pharmacy.
Big Lots
5017 S McCarran Blvd - 775-826-5565 - Open 9 AM - 9 PM, 10 AM - 7 PM Sun - map
Sometimes it's aluminum foil or zip-closure bags, sometimes it's trash bags or shampoo or haircolor, but there's always something to be found for cheap at this discount variety store. No telling what they'll have on the shelves compared to your last visit.
Buckbean Brewing Company
1155 S. Rock Blvd – 775-857-4444 – Open Mon-Thur 11-6, Fri-Sat 11-7 - map
Great beer that comes in 16oz. cans – which means that your beer will be far less affected by sunlight, as well as the fact that cans are far easier to transport and recycle. Beer also comes in 5-gallon and regular-size kegs. Free tasting at the brewery. Highly recommended that you pre-order and make arrangements well-ahead for pickup at the brewery. Check out the link above.
Magic Carpet/Giorgio's Pizza
6925 S Virginia St - 775-853-1177 - Open 11 AM - 10 PM, 11 AM - 9 PM Sun - map
Woo Chon
5085 S McCarran Blvd - 775-825-2552 - Open 11:30 AM – 9 PM, closed Sun - map
All-you-can-eat sushi for about $22 per person for dinner.
M St. Mary's Family Walk In Health
6580 S Virginia St - 775-853-3333 - Open 9 AM - 9 PM, 9 AM - 6 PM Sun - map - map above
US Bank
5190 Neil Rd # 130 - 775-689-2050 - map
Bank of America
5905 S. Virginia - 775-688-8900 - map
Sports Authority (formerly Gart Sports)
4813 Kietzke Ln - 775-828-1234 - Open 9 AM - 9:30 PM, 9 AM - 9 PM Sat, 10 AM - 7 PM Sun. - map
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.
Beads Etc
5025 S McCarran Blvd - 775-826-0777 - Open 10 AM - 8 PM - map
This is THE PLACE to load up on beads and other gems for making and gifting jewelry.
Toys R Us
5000 Smithridge Dr. - 775-827-8697 - Open 10 AM - 9 PM, 10 AM - 7 PM Sun - map
Magic Carpet/Giorgio's Pizza
6925 S Virginia St - 775-853-1177 - Open 11 AM - 10 PM, 11 AM - 9 PM Sun - map
Mike's Automotive Perfection
5301 Longley Ln # 214 - 775-827-5600 - Open 8 AM - 5 PM Mon-Fri - map
An honest, but not inexpensive, mechanic if you need serious car repairs while in the area.
Pep Boys
5000 Smithridge Dr # 1 - 775-827-1700 / 775-827-1912 - map
The Mission Car Wash and Auto Care Center
6355 S. McCarran Blvd. - 775-827-4222 - map
Whole Foods Market
6139 S Virginia Street – 775-852-8023 - Open 8 AM - 9 PM - map
See above for details.
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. 
