Goods & Services

Best seeds to spread

Rail City Garden Center

1720 Brierley Way, Sparks, 355-1551

Near Wild Island Family Adventure Park, this garden center offers a variety of plants that you won’t find in the big box stores. Whether you’re into edible or ornamental plants, there’s something for every gardener. In a dry climate like ours, we need more drought-tolerant plants, and the nursery offers an impressive selection of plants for a xeriscape or rock garden—sedum, yucca, cactus, agave, agastache, salvia, even desert willow. Rail City also sells garden art, seeds, growing kits, and water garden plants and pond supplies, and offers tree care, landscaping and rock delivery services.

Best lesser known shelter

Safe Embrace

780 E. Lincoln Way, Sparks, 322-3466

It began as a faith- and people-of-color-based domestic violence shelter program in Sparks, but the sheer size of the problem in the Truckee Meadows made that kind of specialization a problem. So now all are welcome. It is the lesser known of the local domestic battery programs, and it’s good to know that when the facilities of one program are full to overflowing, there’s another program, too. Need help? Call 322-3466. Pets can be accommodated like the rest of the family.

Best local non-casino business

1. Bristlecone Holdings

1401 S, Virginia St., 200-9926

2. Bizarre Guitar and Guns

2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001

3. Pet Play House

2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202

Best place to get a car repaired

1. A Plus Collision Center

1100 Gentry Way, 827-1003

2. Landa Muffler & Brake

816 E. Fourth St., 322-0112

2. CoAuto

2115 Dickerson Road, 360-5361

Best Pilates studio

1. Evoke Fitness Training Complex

895 E. Patriot Blvd., 827-1995

2. Ball Fitness Studio

460 California Ave., 324-3224

3. Club Pilates Reno

6815 Sierra Center Pkwy., 298-1678

Best optical shop

1. Adlington Eye Center & Eyeglass Gallery

500 W. Plumb Lane, 284-3937

2. Downtown Vision

236 W. Sixth St., 322-4061

3. Davis Optical Center

5053 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1666

Best place to get pierced

1. Black Hole Body Piercing

912 S. Virginia St., 329-6010

2. Fondue Body Boutique

416 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, 359-1750

3. Reno Tattoo Company

818 S. Virginia St., 322-6393

Best new car dealership

1. Bill Pearce Motors/Courtesy Honda

780 Kietzke Lane, 789-7999

2. Dolan Auto Group

2100 Kietzke Lane, 826-2750

3. Lithia Chrysler Jeep of Reno

3223 Mill St., 323-3106

Best print shop

1. International Minute Press

1380 Greg St., 355-8866

2. Reno Type

1020 S. Rock Blvd., 852-8800

3. Digiprint

4865 Longley Lane, 786-4464

Best specialty ice cream store

1. Icecycle Creamery

6147 Lakeside Drive, 827-2777

2. Yogurt Beach

3882 Mayberry Drive, 787-2024

3. Bibo Freddo Gelato

945 Record St., 348-8087

Best wine shop

1. Total Wine & More

6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669

2. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9672

3. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

85 Foothill Road, 622-8080

Best spa

1. Dolce Vita Wellness Spa

16640 Wedge Parkway, 772-0032

2. Spa West

1545 S. Virginia St., 322-7777

Best place for music lessons

1. Bizarre Guitar and Guns

2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001

2. Blue Note B's Horn Shop Music Store and Repair Shop

1155 W. Fourth St., 453-9219

3. JamPro Music Factory

9300 Prototype Drive, 800-1772

Best publication (that’s not us)

1. Reno Tahoe Tonight

1. Edible Reno-Tahoe

3. Reno Gazette-Journal

Best place to buy a musical instrument

1. Bizarre Guitar and Guns

2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001

2. Guitar Center

6663 S. Virginia St., 853-3961

3. Blue Note B's Horn Shop Music Store and Repair Shop

1155 W. Fourth St., 453-9219

Best antique store

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. The Virginia Street Antique Mall

1251 S. Virginia St., 324-4141

3. The Nest

201 Keystone Ave., 284-8841

Best thrift store

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. Savers

3800 Kietzke Lane, 284-4350

3. Savers

2350 Oddie Blvd., 359-4244

Best tanning salon

1. Element Tanning

3600 Warren Way, 829-8267

2. Sunsation

1450 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 359-9955

3. Pacific Sun Tanning Company

195 Damonte Ranch Parkway, 826-4537

Best place to buy vintage clothes

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. Bad Apple Vntg.

1001 S. Virginia St., 800-1069

3. The Nest

201 Keystone Ave., 284-8841

Best women’s clothing boutique

1. Culture

677 S. Virginia St., 657-6192

2. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery

25 St Lawrence Ave., 348-9440

3. Bad Apple Vntg.

1001 S. Virginia St., 800-1069

Best motorcycle dealer, shop

1. Chester's Reno Harley-Davidson

2315 Market St., 329-2913

2. Michael's Reno Powersports

10828 S. Virginia St., 825-8680

3. Freedom Cycle Triumph Reno

9726 S. Virginia St., 358-3500

Best jewelry store

1. BVW Jewelers

35 Foothill Road, 622-9015

2. Ince Jewelers

550 W. Plumb Lane, 323-5100

3. Michael & Sons Jewelers

2001 E. Second St., 786-5110

Best place to buy a firearm

1. Bizarre Guitar and Guns

2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001

2. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

3. Cabella's

8650 Boomtown Garson Road, Verdi, 829-4100

Best shoe selection

1. Dillard's

13933 S. Virginia St., 852-3080

2. DSW Shoe Warehouse

6659 S. Virginia St., 852-9401

3. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

Best wireless phone service coverage

1. Verizon

2. AT&T

3. Sprint

Best hair stylist

1. Vicky Brown

2. Brian Jensen

3. Stephanie Arredondo

Best hotel for a romantic getaway

1. Whitney Peak Hotel

255 N. Virginia St., 398-5400

Best veterinarian

1. Southwest Veterinary Hospital

960 W. Moana Lane, 825-7984

2. Baring Boulevard Veterinary Hospital

700 Baring Blvd., Sparks, 358-6880

3. Klaich Animal Hospital

1990 S. Virginia St., 826-1212

Best independent bookstore

1. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

2. Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St., 828-2665

3. Comic Kingdom

595 E. Moana Lane, 823-9074

Best tattoo parlor

1. A Toda Madre Tattoos

1465 S. Wells Ave., 622-8173

2. Aces Tattoo

681 S. Virginia St., 333-0915

3. Marked Studios

945 W. Moana Lane, 209-1612

Best independent used bookstore

1. Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St., 828-2665

2. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

3. Comic Kingdom

595 E. Moana Lane, 823-9074

Best independent coffee shop

1. Purple Bean

1315 W. Seventh St., 787-2827

2. The Hub Coffee Co.

727 Riverside Drive, 323-1911

3. Coffee Bar

682 Mt. Rose St., 800-1090

Best frame shop

1. Fastframe

940 W. Moana Lane, 825-4499

2. Aaron Brothers

4809 Kietzke Lane, 827-2004

3. Eagle Framing & Art Gallery

1510 S. Wells Ave., 827-6206

Best outdoor outfitter

1. REI

2225 Harvard Way, 828-9090

2. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

3. Cabela's

8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, 829-4100

Best place to buy CDs or vinyl records

1. Recycled Records

822 S. Virginia St., 826-4119

2. Spectre Records

1336 S. Wells Ave., 409-4085

3. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

Best independent hardware store

1. Carter Bros Ace Hardware

1215 S. Virginia St., 337-1200

2. Shelly's True Value Hardware

440 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, 358-1841

3. Harbor Freight Tools

3800 Kietzke Lane, 331-1375

Best photography supply store

1. Gordon's Photo Service

5067 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-6488

2. Best Buy

5575 S. Virginia St., 448-9797

3. Camera Clinic

1220 E. Greg St., Sparks, 829-2244

Best place for photo prints

1. Gordon's Photo Service

5067 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-6488

2. Costco

2200 Harvard Way, 689-2200

3. Costco

4810 Galleria Parkway, Sparks, 356-4400

Best men’s clothing store

1. Macy's

5100 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8333

2. Dillard's

13933 S. Virginia St., 852-3080

3. Men's Warehouse

5000 Smithridge Drive

Best video game store

1. Cap'n Games

621 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 677-0311

2. GameStop

650 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks, 355-0100

Best garden nursery

1. Moana Lane Garden Center

1100 W. Moana Lane, 825-0600

2. Rail City Garden Center

1720 Brierley Way, 355-1551

3. Garden Shop Nursery

3636 Mayberry Drive, 825-3527

Best children’s clothing boutique

1. Sippee's

955 S. Virginia St., 329-2110

2. Once Upon A Child

6015-G S. Virginia St., 825-4448

3. Carter's

1350 Scheels Drive, 358-5752

Best bank

1. Wells Fargo

701 Kietzke Lane, 327 7960

2. Bank of America

1830 S. Virginia St., 688-8532

Best independent grocery store

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

2. Natural Grocers

4819 Kietzke Lane, 448 9828

Best used car dealership

1. Bill Pearce Motors

11555 S Virginia St., 826-2100

2. CarMax

35 Auto Center Drive, 852-1594

3. Internet Auto

1220 Kietzke Lane, 379-2252

Best barber

1. Vicky Brown

2. Vinnie Gravellese

Derby Supply Company

3. Patrick Sutton

Maxwell’s Barbershop

Best gym

1. Saint Mary's Center for Health and Fitness

645 N. Arlington Ave., 770-3800

2. Sports West Athletic Club

1575 S. Virginia St., 348-6666

3. Evoke Fitness Training Complex

895 E. Patriot Blvd., 827-1995

Best flower shop

1. Sparks Florist

1001 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 358-8500

2. Bumblebee Blooms Flower Boutique

205 S. Sierra St., 348-2799

3. St. Ives Florist

700 S. Wells Ave., 333-9190

Best used clothing store

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. Plato's Closet

1535 S. Virginia St., 322-0110

3. Savers

3800 Kietzke Lane, 284-4350

Best tattoo artist

1. L'Bert

A Toda Madre Tattoos

2. Archie Wood

Battle Born Tattoo

3. Tony Medellin

Lasting Dose Tattoo & Art Collective

Best bookstore

1. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

2. Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St., 828-2665

3. Barnes & Noble

5555 S. Virginia St., 826-8882

Best public relations agency

1. The Abbi Agency

275 Hill St., 323-2977

2. Biggest Little Group

11 Bell St., 409-3267

3. KPS3 Marketing

50 W. Liberty St., 686-7439

Best yoga studio

1. The Studio

1085 S. Virginia St. 284-5545

2. Midtown Community Yoga

600 S. Virginia St., 870-9905

3. Juice Box Yoga

631 Sierra Rose Drive, 827-9642

Best place to shoot firearms

1. The desert

2. Reno Guns & Range

2325 Market St., 826-2626

3. Big Shot Indoor Range

9425 Double R Blvd., 853-6272

Best hospital

1. Renown Regional Medical Center

1155 Mill St., 982-4100

2. Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center

235 W. Sixth St., 770-3194

3. Northern Nevada Medical Center

2375 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 331-7000

Best dry cleaners

1. Fabric Care Specialist

900 W Moana Lane, 827-1411

2. Peerless

698 Forest St., 323-3261

3. Lakeside Cleaners

101 W. Plumb Lane

Best spectator sport

1. Reno Aces

2. University of Nevada, Reno football

Best mall

1. The Summit

13925 S. Virginia St., 853-7800

2. Meadowood Mall

5000 Meadowood Mall Circle, 827-8450

3. Legends at Sparks Marina

1310 Scheels Drive, Sparks, 358-3800

Best home furnishings store

1. RC Willey Home Furnishings

1201 Steamboat Pkwy., 337-4600

2. Ashley Furniture

750 E. Moana Lane, 824-4800

3. The Nest

201 Keystone Ave., 284-8841

Best house cleaning service

1. White Lotus

35 N. Edison Way, 856-2345

2. Molly Maid

1380 Greg St., 359-1503

3. Spring Fresh

359-5534

Best adult-themed store

1. Suzie's

195 Kietzke Lane, 786-8557

2. Adam & Eve

7520 Longley Lane, 852-1162

3. Chocolate Walrus

1278 S. Virginia St., 825-2267

Best pet store

1. Scraps Dog Company

7675 S. Virginia St., 853-3647

2. PetSmart

5110 Mae Anne Ave., 787-7833

3. PetSmart

6675 S. Virginia St., 852-8490

Best business Facebook page

1. One Nevada Credit Union

www.facebook.com/OneNevada

2. Nevada Humane Society

www.facebook.com/nevadahumanesociety

3. Amplified Entertainment

www.facebook.com/AmpEnt

Best aesthetician

1. Madison Holland

Metamorphosis Salon and Day Spa

2. Jessica Williams

Jessica Williams Aesthetics

3. Amelia Main

Jensen & Co. Salon

Best beauty salon

1. Jensen & Co. Salon

495 Morrill Ave., 657-6576

2. Atelier Beauty Bar

20 Mary St., 622-1366

3. L'essence Day Spa & Salon

242 W. Liberty St., 323-2040

Best doggy day care

1. Pet Play House

2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202

2. Charlie's Place

7930 Sugar Pine Court, 236-0251

3. On Command Boarding

875 Greg St., 825-3647

Best pet boarding

1. Pet Play House

2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202

2. On Command Boarding

875 Greg St., 825-3647

3. Charlie's Place

7930 Sugar Pine Court, 236-0251

Best athletic shoe selection

1. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

2. Reno Running

13987 S. Virginia St., 853-801

3. Eclipse Running

6990 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-2276

Best gadget store

1. Scotland Yard Spy Shop

1092 S. Virginia St., 323-3232

2. Apple Store

13925 S. Virginia St., 333-5460

3. Best Buy

5575 S. Virginia St., 448-9797

Best boutique clothing store

1. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery

25 St Lawrence Ave., 348-9440

2. Culture

677 S. Virginia St., 657-6192

3. The Niche

1300 E. Plumb Lane, 348-8661

Best selection of local art

1. Lasting Dose Tattoo & Art Collective

888 S. Virginia St., 324-0666

2. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery

25 St Lawrence Ave., 348-9440

3. Artists Co-op Gallery of Reno

627 Mill St., 322-8896

Best yoga instructor

1. Angie Fraley

2. Kelly Wetzler Aguilera

3. Christopher Daniels

Best pet supply store

1. Scraps Dog Company

7675 S. Virginia St., 853-3647

2. PetSmart

5110 Mae Anne Ave., 787-7833

3. PetSmart

6675 S. Virginia St., 852-8490

Best outdoor gear selection

1. REI

2225 Harvard Way, 828-9090

2. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

3. Cabela's

8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, 829-4100

Best brothel

1. Moonlite Bunny Ranch

69 Moonlight Road, Carson City, 246-9901

2. Mustang Ranch

Peri Ranch Road, Sparks, 342-0176

3. Sagebrush Ranch

51 Kit Kat Drive, Mound House, 246-5863

Best computer store

1. Apple Store

13925 S. Virginia St., 333-5460

2. Best Buy

5575 S. Virginia St., 448-9797

2. Reno Computer Fix

1170 S. Wells Ave., 996-0212

Best credit union

1. Greater Nevada Credit Union

5150 Mae Anne Ave., 882-2060

2. Great Basin Federal Credit Union

295 Los Altos Parkway, 789-3165

3. One Nevada Credit Union

1296 E. Plumb Lane, 827-3880

Best specialty foods store

1. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

2. Trader Joe's

5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621

3. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

Best place to get an auto smogged

1. GK Smog Inspection

1960 E. Second St., 323-4524

2. Landa Muffler

816 E. Fourth St., 322-0112

Best car wash

1. Buggy Bath Car Wash

2525 S. Virginia St., 826-6679

2. Hutch's Mission Car Wash

6355 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-4222

3. Franktown Hand Car Wash

2331 Kietzke Lane, 827-2601

Best cheap liquor store

1. Total Wine & More

6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669

2. Ben's Fine Wine & Spirits

3480 Lakeside Drive, 825-0244

3. Ben's Fine Wine & Spirits

901 W. Fourth St., 323-6277

Best barber shop

1. Maxwell's Barbershop

555 S. Virginia St., 322-2466

2. Derby Supply Company

123 W. First St., 440-1930

3. Beautiful Bearded Man

50 S. Virginia St., 787-6800

Best carpet cleaning company

1. Evergreen Carpet Care

990 S. Rock Blvd., 825-7569

2. Robin's All Out Carpet Cleaning

826-7158

3. New Sunrise Cleaning and Restoration

800-1429

Best event promoter

1. Amplified Entertainment

2. Oliver X

3. Fresh Bakin'

Best grocery store

1. Trader Joe's

5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621

2. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

Best head shop

1. Art Dogs & Grace

218 Vassar St., 324-2787

2. Melting Pot World Emporium

1049 S. Virginia St., 322-9445

3. Hippies

1921 Victorian Ave., Sparks, 331-8554

Best newspaper

1. Reno News & Review

2. Reno Gazette-Journal

3. Sparks Tribune

Best mortgage company

1. Guild Mortgage

5390 Kietzke Lane, 200-0155

2. United Federal Credit Union

1170 Bible Way, (800) 283-8485

3. PrimeLending

6900 S. McCarran Blvd., 829-8555

Best nail technician

1. Shannon Ochoa

Jensen & Co. Salon

2. Cassie Johnson

Jensen & Co. Salon

3. Shyra Mckie

Jensen & Co. Salon

Best place to buy playa garb

1. Melting Pot World Emporium

1049 S. Virginia St., 322-9445

2. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

3. Prism Magic Clothing and Imports

2161 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 356-5577

Best landscaping company

1. Signature Landscapes

3705 Barron Way, 857-4333

2. Moana Nursery

1190 W. Moana Lane, 825-0602

3. All Seasons Lawn & Landscaping

657 Twin Lakes Drive, 329-1531

Best wedding reception site

1. The Grove

95 Foothill Road, 324-7683

2. Lavender Ridge Weddings & Receptions

7450 W. Fourth St., 747-3222

Best local place to work

1. Greater Nevada Credit Union

5150 Mae Anne Ave., 882-2060

2. Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center

235 W. Sixth St., 770-3194

3. Moonlite Bunny Ranch

69 Moonlight Road, Carson City, 246-9901

Best new business

1. Kit Kat Guest Ranch

51 Kit Kat Drive, Mound House, 246-5683

2. Healing One

235 Redfield Parkway, 499-5393

2. Sol State Massage

3680 Grant Drive, (530) 250-5949

Best recording studio

1. Tanglewood Production

125 Brinkby Ave., 688-6282

1. The Sound Saloon

420 Valley Road

3. Imirage Sound Lab Studio

1558 Linda Way, Sparks, 358-7484

Best vape shop

1. Knuckle Dusters Vape Shop

1100 E. Plumb Lane, 410-8462

2. School of Vape

580 E. Plumb Lane, 313-0437

Best workout wear selection

1. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

2. Lululemon Athletica

13935 S. Virginia St., 851-9070

3. Hello Yoga

732 S. Virginia St., 420-5357