Goods & services

Editors’ choices
Best Italian word to learn

Campo has made a big splash in Reno’s food scene in the less than a year that it’s been open. Part of that success is the local, organic, farm-fresh, blah, blah, blah ingredients. Part of it is charismatic figurehead Mark Estee and the attentive staff. Part of it is the very central location, overlooking the Truckee River and across the street from the Riverside movie theater—the ideal spot for a dinner-and-a-movie date. And then there’s the best dessert in the valley: the caramel budino. As good as some of the other grub is, it’s worth saving room for dessert—because the budino is the jam. A budino is an Italian custard, served at Campo with salted caramel, chocolate cookie crumbles, whipped cream, and a bit of mint. There are a lot of great notes working in surprising harmony. The other desserts are probably good too, but it’s hard to say, because once you go budino, it’s hard to order anything else.

Best place to get your hands dirty

Nevada’s a difficult landscape to grow plants, but it’s not impossible, and Northern Nevada has an expert compost guru in its midst to help turn the arid environment into a flourishing garden. Craig Witt and his family run Full Circle Compost, creating a special soil fertilizing mix called humus, made from local vegetation and waste. You’ll never hear someone talk about dirt as passionately as Witt, who has spent years researching and writing the perfect recipe to help Nevada gardeners and farmers. The University of Nevada, Reno enlisted Full Circle Composts’ help on the university quad, and within weeks, the grass was full and lush. Witt’s knowledge about composting is awe-inspiring. Seriously. Full Circle Compost has an extensive operation located near the prison in Carson City, and a retail shop next to Hungry Mother Organics on 395.

Readers’ choices

Best taxi driver

1. Bill Anderson [tie]

1. Elgin Alway

Best thrift store

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. Savers

2350 Oddie Blvd., Sparks, 359-4244

3800 Kietzke Lane, 284-4350

3. Goodwill

multiple locations

Best local place to work

1. Patagonia Outlet Reno [tie]

8550 White Fir St., 746-6878

1. University of Nevada, Reno

1664 N. Virginia St., 784-1110

2. Intuit

6884 Sierra Center Pkwy, 332-8800

Best landscaper

1. Signature Landscapes

3705 Barron Way, 857-4333

2. All Seasons Lawn and Landscaping

657 Twin Lakes Drive, 329-1531

3. Sierra Nevada Landscapes

1635 Marvel Way, 853-4445

Best house cleaning service

1. White Lotus

35 N. Edison Way, 856-2345

2. Spring Fresh

610 S. Rock Blvd., 359-5534

2. OCDanny

412-7831

Best video game store

1. GameStop

multiple locations

2. Game Force

1280 E. Plumb Lane, 829-1950

Best gadget store

1. Scotland Yard Spy Shop

1085 S. Virginia St., 323-3232

2. Apple Store

13925 S. Virginia St., 333-5460

3. Best Buy

multiple locations

Best wine shop

1. Whispering Vine Wine Co.

3886 Mayberry Drive, 787-9672

2. Craft Wine-N-Beer

22 Martin St., 622-4333

3. L’uva Bella Wine Gallery

13925 S. Virginia St., 851-1110

Best cheap liquor store

1. Ben’s Fine Wine & Spirits

multiple locations

2. Total Wine & More

6671 S. Virginia St., 853-3669

3. Grab N Go Food & Liquor

multiple locations

Best women’s clothing boutique

1. The Niche

multiple locations

2. Lodo Loft

550 W. Plumb Lane, 284-5636

3. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

Best men’s clothing store

1. Macy’s

5100 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8333

2. Kohl’s

multiple locations

3. Express

5443 Meadowood Mall Circle, 825-7171

Best children’s clothing boutique

1. Rockabboo

538 W. Plumb Lane, 825-0700

2. Once Upon A Child

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

3. Babies R Us

4869 Kietzke Lane, 825-2229

Best place to buy a firearm

1. Cabela’s

8650 Boomtown Road, Verdi, 829-4100

2. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, Sparks, 331-2700

3. Bizarre Guitar and Guns

2677 Oddie Blvd., 685-4867

Best place to shoot firearms

1. The desert

2. Sage Hill Clay Sports

7370 Desert Way, 851-1123

3. The hills

Best jewelry store

1. Jared the Galleria of Jewelry

13957 S. Virginia St., 850-2020

2. Goldilocks Jewelry and Coins

25 W. Second St., 322-1236

3. Rogers Jewelers

6520 S. Virginia, 851-8555

Best mall

1. The Summit

13925 S. Virginia St., 853-7800

2. Legends at Sparks Marina

1310 Scheels Drive, Sparks, 358-3800

3. Meadowood Mall

5000 Meadowood Mall Circle, 827-8450

Best tanning salon

1. Pacific Sun Tanning Company

multiple locations

2. Element Tanning

3600 Warren Way, 829-8267

3. Sunsation

1450 E. Prater Way, Sparks, 359-9955

Best frame shop

1. Aaron Brothers

4809 Kietzke Lane, 827-2004

2. Fastframe

940 W. Moana Lane, 825-4499

3. Eagle Framing & Art Gallery

765 S. Virginia St., 827-6206

Best spa

1. Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

3800 S. Virginia St., (800) 723-6500

2. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996

3. Lime

895 S. Center St., 825-5463

Best dry cleaners

1. Peerless

multiple locations

2. Bobby Page’s Cleaners

multiple locations

Best bookstore

1. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

2. Barnes & Noble

5555 S. Virginia St., 826-8882

3. Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St., 828-2665

Best place to get an auto smogged

1. Landa Muffler

816 E. Fourth St., 322-0112

2. Instant Smog

multiple locations

3. Shell

multiple locations

Best place to buy a musical instrument

1. Maytan Music Center

777 S. Center St., 323-5443

2. Bizarre Guitar

2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001

3. Guitar Center

6663 S. Virginia St., 853-3961

Best gym

1. Sports West Athletic Club

1575 S. Virginia St., 348-6666

2. St. Mary’s Center for Health and Fitness

645 N. Arlington Ave., 770-3800

3. South Reno Athletic Club

9393 Gateway Drive, 853-4050

Best place to buy CDs

1. Recycled Records

3344 Kietzke Lane, 826-4119

2. Best Buy

5575 S. Virginia St., 448-9797

3. Discology

11 N. Sierra St., 323-2121

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 adult-themed store

1. Suzie’s

195 Kietzke Lane, 786-8557

2. Chocolate Walrus

1278 S. Virginia St., 825-2267

Best computer store

1. Apple Store

13925 S. Virginia St., 333-5460

2. Best Buy

multiple locations

3. Moondog Computers

4896 S. Virginia St., 332-6666

Best place to buy vintage clothes

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. The Nest

201 Keystone Ave., 248-8841

2. Savers

multiple locations

Best used clothing store

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. Plato’s Closet

1535 S. Virginia St., 322-0110

3. Savers

3800 Kietzke Lane, 284-4350

2350 Oddie Blvd., 359-4244

Best antique store

1. Junkee Clothing Exchange & Antique Mall

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

2. The Nest

201 Keystone Ave., 248-8841

Best bicycle shop

1. Reno Bike Project

541 E. Fourth St., 323-4488

2. Bicycle Bananas

5110 Mae Anne Ave., 747-1413

3. College Cyclery

622 S. Virginia St., 323-1809

Best flower shop

1. Sparks Florist

multiple locations

2. St. Ives Florist

700 S. Wells Ave., 333-9190

3. Bumblebee Blooms Flower Boutique

205 S. Sierra St., 348-2799

Best hobby store

1. Michael’s Arts & Crafts

4871 Kietzke Lane, 829-8000

165 Los Altos Pkwy., 626-3341

2. Ben Franklin

245 E. Plumb Lane, 348-0050

3. Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts

3750 Kietzke Lane, 828-9700

Best beauty salon

1. A Salon 7

495 Morrill Ave., 786-7770

2. Caliber Salon

141 E. Pueblo St., 284-8620

Best hair stylist

1. Brian Jensen, A Salon 7

2. Jenny Oxier, A Salon 7

3. Tres Benzley, Caliber Salon & Spa

Best barber

1. Patrick Sutton, Maxwell’s Barbershop

2. Carly Gurinskas, Pearle Studios

Best garden nursery

1. Garden Shop Nursery

3636 Mayberry Drive, 825-3527

2. Moana Nursery

multiple locations

3. Rail City Garden Center

1720 Brierley Way, 355-1551

Best car wash

1. Mission Car Wash

6355 S. McCarran Blvd., 827-4222

2. Buggy Bath Car Wash

2525 S. Virginia St., 826-6679

3. Franktown Hand Car Wash

2331 Kietzke Lane, 827-2601

Best home furnishings store

1. RC Willey Home Furnishings

1201 Steamboat Pkwy., 337-4600

2. The Niche

multiple locations

3. Ashley Furniture

750 E. Moana Lane, 824-4800

Best apartment complex

1. The Boulders

4775 Summit Ridge Drive, 747-3330

2. Arlington Towers

100 N. Arlington Ave., 221-3222

Best place to get a car repaired

1. Landa Muffler & Brake

816 E. Fourth St., 322-0112

2. Sierra Automotive Repair

130 W. Plumb Lane, 324-4370

3. Reno Vulcanizing Works

multiple locations

Best tattoo parlor

1. Aces Tattoo

681 S. Virginia St., 333-0915

2. Nightmare Studios Tattoo

888 S. Virginia St., 324-0666

3. Absolute Tattoo

742 Mill St., 324-2223

Best tattoo artist

1. Ron Rash, Aces Tattoo

2. Archie Wood, Battle Born Tattoo

3. Jon McCann, Absolute Tattoo

Best place to get pierced

1. Black Hole Body Piercing

912 S. Virginia St., 329-6010

2. Lotus Body Piercing

677 S. Virginia St., 323-6266

2. Fondue Body Boutique

416 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, 359-1750

Best shoe selection

1. Dillard’s

13933 S. Virginia St., 852-3080

2. DSW Shoe Warehouse

6659 S. Virginia St., 852-9401

3. Macy's

multiple locations

Best boutique clothing store

1. The Niche

multiple locations

2. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery

119 Thoma St., 348-9440

3. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

Best cheap motel

1. Motel 6

multiple locations

2. Quality Inn South

1885 S. Virginia St., 329-1001

3. Farris Motel

1752 E. Fourth St., 322-3190

Best hotel for a romantic getaway

1. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996

2. Atlantis

3800 S. Virginia St., (800) 723-6500

3. Grand Sierra Resort

2500 E. Second St., 789-2000

Best bank

1. Wells Fargo

multiple locations

2. Bank of America

multiple locations

3. U.S. Bank

multple locations

Best mortgage company

1. Wells Fargo

multiple locations

2. PrimeLending

6900 S. McCarran Blvd., 829-8555

Best pawn shop

1. Palace Jewelry & Loan Company

300 N. Virginia St., 322-2863

2. Metro Pawn

multiple locations

3. Super Pawn

multiple locations

Best grocery store

1. Raley’s

multiple locations

2. Whole Foods Market

6139 S. Virginia St., 852-8023

3. Trader Joe’s

5035 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-1621

3790 US Highway 395 S, Carson City, 267-2486

Best specialty ice cream store

1. Cold Stone Creamery

multiple locations

2. Swensen's Ice Cream

3340 Kietzke Lane, 825-3444

3. Yogurt Beach

multiple locations

Best pet store

1. Scraps Dog Company

6120 Mae Anne Ave., 746-4364

7675 S. Virginia St., 853-3647

2. PetsMart

multiple locations

3. Petco

2970 Northtowne Lane, 673-9200

5565 S. Virginia St., 829-9200

Best pet supply store

1. PetsMart

several locations

2. Healthy Tails

3892 Mayberry Drive, 787-2287

3. Scraps Dog Company

6120 Mae Anne Ave., 746-4364

7675 S. Virginia St., 853-3647

Best pet boarding

1. Pet Play House

2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202

2. Dogz

1855 E. Peckham Lane, 826-9911

3. Fetch! Pet Care

2330 Blue Canyon Court, 787-9090

Best skateboard store

1. Classic Skate Shop

119 Thoma St., 348-9440

2. Eternal Board Shop

33 E. Freeport Blvd., Sparks, 358-1002

235 E. Plumb Lane, 348-9991

3. Out of Bounds

805 S. Virginia St., 323-7669

Best wireless phone service coverage

1. Verizon

2. AT&T

3. Sprint

Best brothel

1. Moonlite Bunny Ranch

69 Moonlight Road, Carson City, 246-9901

2. Mustang Ranch

Peri Ranch Road, Sparks, 342-0176

Best motorcycle dealer, shop

1. Reno Harley-Davidson

2315 Market St., 329-2913

Best new car dealership

1. Bill Pearce

2. Lithia

3. Reno Toyota & Scion

2100 Kietzke Lane, 826-2750

Best used car dealership

1. Internet Auto

1220 Kietzke Lane, 379-2252

2. Reno Toyota & Scion

2100 Kietzke Lane, 826-2750

3. Harry's Quality Cars Inc.

multiple locations

Best place for photo prints

1. Costco

2200 Harvard Way, 689-2200

4810 Galleria Pkwy, Sparks, 356-4400

2. Gordon’s Photo Service

5067 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-6488

3. Walgreens

multiple locations

Best photography supply store

1. Gordon’s Photo Service

5067 S. McCarran Blvd., 826-6488

2. Best Buy

multiple locations

2. Ross

multiple locations

Best yoga classes

1. The Studio

1085 S. Virginia St. 284-5545

2. Bikram Yoga Reno

631 Sierra Rose Drive, 827-9642

3. Studio 8

190 California Ave., 324-4888

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 optical shop

1. Adlington Eye Center & Eyeglass Gallery

500 W. Plumb Lane, 284-3937

2. Dr. Angelini Optical Dispensary

350 W. Sixth St., 322-4061

3. Cochrane Family Eye Care

9730 S. McCarran Blvd., 787-3939

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 doggy daycare

1. Pet Play House

2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202

2. Dogz, Inc.

1855 E. Peckham Lane, 826-9911

3. Fetch! Pet Care

2330 Blue Canyon Court, 787-9090

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 workout wear selection

1. Scheels All Sports

1200 Scheels Drive, 331-2700

2. Sports Authority

multiple locations

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 wedding chapel

1. Silver Bells Wedding Chapel

628 N. Virginia St., 322-0420

2. Chapel of the Bells

700 W. Fourth St., 323-1375

3. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996

Best wedding reception site

1. Chism House

1401 W. Second St., 322-5455

2. The Grove

95 Foothill Road, 324-7683

Best wedding event planner

1. Liane McCombs Wedding & Event Planning

4790 Caughlin Pkwy., 786-1730

2. Once Upon A Time Events

80 Coney Island Drive, Sparks, 225-7747

3. Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

2707 S. Virginia St., (866) 821-9996

Best public relations agency

1. The Abbi Agency

275 Hill St., 323-2977

2. K. Sutherland PR

201 W. Liberty St., 848-0905

3. RKPR

328 California Ave., 323-6333

Best print shop

1. Digiprint

4865 Longley Lane, 786-4464

2. Reno Print Store

280 Greg St., 313-9720

3. Office Depot

multiple locations

Best selection of local art

1. Never Ender Boutique & Art Gallery

119 Thoma St., 348-9440

2. The Holland Project

160 W. Liberty St., 329-3333

3. Artists Co-Op Gallery of Reno

627 Mill St., 322-8896

Best spectator sport

1. Reno Aces

2. University of Nevada, Reno football

3. Kiyaking

Best local non-casino business

1. Pet Play House

2403 E. Fourth St., 324-0202

2. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

3. Reno eNVy

135 N. Sierra St., 682-3800

Best local magazine

1. Reno-Tahoe Tonight

2. Edible Reno-Tahoe

316 California Ave., 746-3299

3. Reno Magazine

955 Kuenzli St., 788-6556

Best newspaper

1. Reno News & Review

708 N. Center St., 324-4440

2. Reno Gazette-Journal

955 Kuenzli St., 788-6200

3. Sparks Tribune

1002 C St., Sparks, 358-8061

Best monthly publication

1. Reno-Tahoe Tonight

2. Edible Reno-Tahoe

316 California Ave., 746-3299

3. Reno Magazine

955 Kuenzli St., 788-6556

Best new business

1. Campo

50 N. Sierra St., 737-9555

2. Design by Huong

P.O. Box 17416, 233-8382

2. Homage Bakery

519 Ralston St., 323-8952

2. It's My Community

325 Harbour Cove Drive, Sparks, 737-4107

Best place for music lessons

1. Maytan Music Center

777 S. Center St., 323-5443

2. Carpenter's Music World

2700 S. Virginia St., 852-7618

3. Bizarre Guitar

2677 Oddie Blvd., 331-1001

Best place to buy playa garb

1. Melting Pot World Emporium

1049 S. Virginia St., 322-9445

2. Junkee Clothing Exchange

960 S. Virginia St., 322-5865

3. Prism Magic Clothing and Imports

2161 Pyramid Way, Sparks, 356-5577

Best business Facebook page

1. Pet Play House

www.facebook.com/PetPlayHouse

2. GourMelt

www.facebook.com/gourmelt

3. Design by Huong

www.facebook.com/DesignbyHuong

Best sunglasses selection

1. Adlington Eye Center & Eyeglass Gallery

500 W. Plumb Lane, 284-3937

2. Sunglass Hut

5189 Meadowood Mall Circle, 826-8778

3. Eternal

235 E. Plumb Lane, 348-9991

Best independent coffee shop

1. Bibo Coffee Co.

multiple locations

2. The Hub Coffee Co.

32 Cheney St., 323-3482

3. Java Jungle

246 W. First St., 329-4484

Best independent bookstore

1. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

2. Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St., 828-2665

3. Zephyr Books

1501 S. Virginia St., 322-6657

Best independent used bookstore

1. Grassroots Books

660 E. Grove St., 828-2665

2. Zephyr Books

1501 S. Virginia St., 322-6657

3. Sundance Books & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

Best independent CD music store

1. Recycled Records

3344 Kietzke Lane, 826-4119

2. Discology

11 N. Sierra St., 323-2121

3. Sundance Bookstore & Music

121 California Ave., 786-1188

Best independent grocery store

1. Great Basin Community Food Co-op

240 Court St., 324-6133

Best independent computer store

1. Moondog Computers

4896 S. Virginia St., 332-6666

2. Mac-O-Rama

4690 Longley Lane, 626-7751

3. Computerman USA

701 E. Second St., 827-2667

Best independent hardware store

1. Ace Hardware

multiple locations

2. Shelly’s True Value Hardware

440 Greenbrae Drive, Sparks, 358-1841

Best veterinarian

1. Klaich Animal Hospital

1990 S. Virginia St., 826-1212

2. Southwest Veterinary Hospital

960 W. Moana Lane, 825-7984

3. Baring Boulevard Veterinary Hospital

700 Baring Blvd., Sparks, 358-6880