Reno-Tahoe

A summer tradition kicks off again this week in Sparks as the Hometowne Farmer’s Market brings dozens of vendors, hundreds of people and a party atmosphere to Victorian Square.

The Sparks Farmer’s Market runs Thursday evenings throughout the summer. And while visitors can score great produce and family-farm fare, the market is as much of a party as a place to get the groceries.

See bands and dance the night away. Drink an “Icky” from Great Basin Brewing Co. (also located at Victorian Square) and check out local art. Thousands converge on the Square – young and old – and the party goes into the evening.

Sparks Farmer’s Market

• When: Thursdays, 4-9 p.m., June 11-Aug. 20 (except Aug. 6)
• Where: Victorian Square, Sparks, Nev.
• Web: Sparks Hometown Farmer’s Market

Calling this a “shopping center” doesn’t do it justice. It’s a shopping experience.

The Legends at Sparks Marina, a destination retail center under construction in Sparks, Nev., is almost ready for its June 18 first-phase opening. And developers of the mega-mall are going big. Really big.

From a huge tower that anchors the center of the center, to common areas with statues depicting Nevada historical figures, features and wildlife, the concept behind Legends is to create a mecca for shopping and socializing. The first phase is expected to bring 28 tenants online, with a total of 47 tenants open for business by Aug. 1. Several tenants are already wowing visitors, including Scheels, the World’s Largest All Sports Store (at nearly 300,000 square feet) and Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen. By next spring there will also be a 13-theater movie complex, complete with an iMax screen – and tentative plans call for a destination casino hotel resort to anchor the north end of the project, as well as a concert venue that can seat up to 9,000 for big-name acts.

Bringing the “legends” to Legends

“The idea is to celebrate the history, people and places of Nevada,” said Dennis McGovern, Legends general manager. “When the first phase is finished you’ll see three ‘living room’ areas surrounded by artist depictions of the bristlecone pine (Nevada’s state tree), bighorn sheep, desert tortoise, a statue of Samuel Clemens …”

Common areas are replete with waterfalls, firepits, and lush landscaping. McGovern says developers are planting 1,600 trees and 26,000 shrubs at the site. The landscape is also varied – elevation changes enhance the feeling place and reflect the diverse topography of Northern Nevada.

Designed to appeal to all of the senses, a 151-speaker sound system will be installed at Legends, along with spaces for public events, including a five-story Christmas tree during the holiday season.

But it’s (mostly) about the shopping

On Wednesday 500 workers were on site – installing fixtures, punching out final touches on storefronts, hanging signs, pouring concrete and powering the huge electrical infrastructure.
“This place is changing every day,” McGovern said. “You can barely walk through here right now, but by June 18 this won’t even look like a construction site.”

The tenant mix will be 60 percent outlets – good news for deal seekers. Stores that have signed on the dotted line include:

Entertainment

• Dickinson Theatres & IMAX
• Kingpins

Hotel/Casino

• The Legends Bay Casino, Resort, Spa (Olympia Gaming)

Restaurants

• Cadillac Ranch
• FreshBerry Yogurt Cafe
• Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen
• Olive Garden
• Patsy Grimaldi’s Coal Brick-Oven Pizzeria
• Subway

Stores

• Adidas
• Ann Taylor Factory
• Banana Republic Factory Store
• Bath and Body Works
• BCBG
• BCBGirls
• Best Buy
• Bose Factory Store
• Carter’s
• Converse
• Easy Spirit
• GameStop
• Gap Outlet
• GNC
• Guess Factory Store
• Gymboree Outlet
• Harry & David
• Jones New York
• Kasper
• Kenneth Cole
• Lane Bryant Outlet
• Leather Works
• Lucky Nails
• Michael Kors
• Nike Factory Store
• Nine West Outlet
• Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse
• Old Farmer’s Almanac
• Osh Kosh B’Gosh
• Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5th
• Samsonite Factory Outlet
• Scheels
• Skechers USA Outlet
• Sprint
• Styles for Less
• Target
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Vans
• Volcom

Celebrate Reno-Tahoe’s newest destination

Although the ribbon will be cut June 18, Legends is going to stretch the party all summer long. A grand opening celebration runs July 31-Aug. 9.  Events include a summer concert series, fashion show, celebrity appearances, fireworks and more. The opening events coincide with the Legends Reno-Tahoe Open PGA Tour event and Hot August Nights.

Reno-Tahoe is a family-friendly getaway, offering tons of fun for kids and adults alike. Add some of these Top 10 attractions to your travel itinerary:

1. Catch a ballgame: Downtown Reno is home to a new ballpark and the Reno Aces, a Triple A team. The boys of summer are playing in Reno-Tahoe.
2. Hit the slopes: Reno-Tahoe offers the largest concentration of ski and board resorts in North America — 18 within an hour drive of Reno-Tahoe International Airport.
3. Shop till you drop: The shopping is great in Reno-Tahoe, including the new Legends at Sparks Marina in Sparks, Nev., which boasts more than 70 stores and restaurants, including Scheel’s, the World’s Largest All Sports Store at almost 300,000 square feet.
4. A river runs through it: The Truckee River winds through downtown Reno and downtown Sparks, offering great opportunities for recreation and relaxation during the warm months. Whitewater enthusiasts can paddle to their heart’s content in the two whitewater parks.
5. Nevada-style casino action: In Reno-Tahoe the action goes 24-7, with deluxe, modern resort casinos that offer fun gaming action without the Vegas crowds.
6. The Jewel of the Sierra: Lake Tahoe is 45 minutes from Reno-Tahoe International Airport and downtown Reno — a great day trip whether it is summer or winter.
7. The Comstock Lode: Step back to Wild West times in Virginia City. The preserved epicenter of the Comstock Lode features classic buildings, old saloons and a cast of characters that is always entertaining.
8. V&T Railroad: Ride the rails of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad in Carson City, Nevada’s capitol. Working steam engines hearken back to the golden age of rail travel.
9. Wine and dine: Reno-Tahoe is known for adventure and Nevada-style gaming, but hundreds of restaurants serving everything from casual to five-star fare also make it a great destination for culinary enthusiasts.
10. Culture connection: Reno-Tahoe is home to 31 museums, including the Nevada Museum of Art, the National Automobile Museum and the Nevada State Museum – live Nevada’s rich culture.

The Brickhouse Bakery is already open, and the other dozen business hoping to open this Saturday are rushing to put together the final touches at the new West Street Market project in downtown Reno.

These photos were taken Tuesday (there are also some older architectural renderings in the Flickr set). Locals and visitors can look forward to some cool spaces in Reno’s newest shopping and lifestyle venue.

The exciting changes in downtown Reno continue this week with the opening of the West Street Market, a development that has transformed some classic 1930s brick buildings near the Wingfield Park and the Riverwalk, to bring in 13 business centered around outdoor space.

Already, West Street Market has featured an outdoor artisans market on Fridays, as well as a green market on Wednesday. Markets also include frequent live music.

According to a story in today’s Reno Gazette-Journal, the development is set to open on Saturday. Come to the grand opening featuring a variety of events from 7 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday. Here is a list of tenants opening this week, and into the near future:

• Brickhouse Bakery — A bakery offering espresso drinks, pastries, sandwiches and desserts is already open.
• Great Basin Basket — a company offering local, organic, and whole foods to members in both retail and special-order formats. Already open.
• West Street Wine Bar — a bar offering regional and international wines for tasting and retail purchase. Opens Wednesday.
• Reno Envy — a locally produced clothing brand to open Wednesday
• Earthly Delights — quick foods and fresh salads. Opens Wednesday.
• Se7en Tea House and Bar — offers a wide selection of teas from Asia and around the world, a full bar and pastries and appetizers. Opens by Saturday.
• Nevada EcoNet — a nonprofit that will serve as a primary source of environmental information for Northern Nevada. Opens Dec. 6
• Spirit of the Woods — kiosk offering hand painted metal and wood crafts. Opens Saturday.
  Downtown Market Place — Early 2009
• Jada’s Jewels-Early 2009
• Nikos Greek Kitchen– to be open early 2009
• Nutty Boy-Early 2009
• Silver Trends-Early 2009

- From the Reno Gazette-Journal

View Larger Map

Reno’s newest redevelopment achievement, the West Street Market, has added another dimension to the culture of downtown, with a rotating farmers market, outdoor space for vendors and indoor space – currently under development – for local food, drink and retail businesses.

From its inception, the market has been developed to provide customers and sightseers a place to “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” foods and goods, stimulate an entrepreneurial town center, and create a venue for entertainment and educational events. The ambitious goals of the development are already becoming reality – it has already attracted A-list vendors and retailers, and the events are bringing good crowds.

Check out these great events:

• Saturday Farmers and Chefs Market
• Wednesday Eco-Market hosted by Nevada EcoNet
• Friday night Artisan Market hosted by the Holland Project
• Edible Landscape Demonstration Garden

The Indoor Market will open in October, with 15-18 permanent prepared food and fresh food vendors, artists, demonstrations, entertainment and education. The roofed indoor market features 8,494 square feet in three buildings, according to the City of Reno.

To see photos from the Holland Project, click here.

View Larger Map

Images provided by City of Reno

Reno’s new “West Street Market,” located between First and Second streets, in the downtown redevelopment corridor, will officially open for business in July, according to city officials, with outdoor businesses. Indoor businesses will open in October.

Potential tenants
Brickhouse Bakery, Wine Bar, Great Basin Community Co-op (produce), Mikonos, Se7en Tea House & Bar, La Marenda, Downtown Marketplace & Deli, Great Basin Basket CSA, Nevada EcoNet, Sundance Books, Silver Trends Jewelry and Jada’s Jewels.

The market is designed to operate as a pedestrian center and gathering point in downtown Reno, with a focus on homemade, fresh and local.

Events
Wednesdays: Evening “Eco Market” produced by Nevada EcoNet
Fridays: Evening “Artist Market,” with programs designed by the Holland Project
Saturdays: A morning farmer’s market

In addition to regularly scheduled events, the market is expected to play host to special events, concerts, demonstrations and festivals.