2009 Guide to Reno-Sparks Area Public Markets

Summer Farmers Markets and a Year-Round Market Provide Food and More

Mar 30, 2009

Reno's summer markets vary from small collections of stands to a huge outdoor bazaar with entertainment. Now there's also a public market that's open year-round.

Reno’s summertime visitors are often surprised by the number of special events and antiques stores the area has to offer. Those of them interested in farmers markets are in for surprises as well.

Markets Offer Variety

The market season usually begins in mid-June and lasts until early October. The venues are as varied as the merchandise they have for sale. One is outside a whole foods store. Another is in a church parking lot.

The oldest and largest market holds forth on Victorian Avenue -- the main tourist street -- in Reno’s neighbor city of Sparks. In existence for more than 20 years, Sparks Hometowne Farmers Market begins at 4 p.m. on Thursday afternoons and lasts until 9 p.m. With more than 100 booths, the market’s street cafes, carnival rides for the kiddies and live entertainment augment the crafters and produce-sellers, making this a recreational as well as a shopping destination.

The stalls of three of the farmers markets are set up in shopping center areas where cars usually park. A favorite with Reno residents is the market at the Village, a cluster of shops on California Avenue. Merchandise for sale ranges from artisan breads and cheeses to fresh produce and flowers. Some of its vendors get up before daybreak to drive with their produce from California places like Brentwood and Dixon. Others have farms in Fallon and other Nevada agricultural areas. A few of the growers have acreage within the Reno-Sparks city limits. Craftspeople sell everything from original art to handmade clothing and jewelry.

Most of the vendors who specialize in a single type of product such as honey, salsa and caramel corn -- as well as several of those with produce stands -- have been selling at the area markets for years, so regular shoppers know exactly where to go when they arrive. Each summer season also brings new vendors and products to the markets.

Year-Round, Indoor/Outdoor Market

While the above markets were put together and are managed by individuals or business groups, a different kind of market was established in Reno in 2008. Funded by a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), other grants and donations, The West Street Market is a year-round indoor/outdoor market in downtown Reno that becomes a farmers market during the summer months.

In the summer season, the market spreads out onto the street and the buildings’ patio on Wednesday evening (Eco Market night) and Friday evening (Asian Market night) and Saturday (traditional Farmers Market). An edible landscape demonstration garden and cooking lessons were part of the fledgling market’s first-year events. During the other months, the market – which consists of take-out food stands, a restaurant, a sit-down bakery, a Nevada logo merchandise shop, small grocery store and craft kiosks – is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

2009 Market Weekly Schedule

Tuesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Most of the markets listed above operate from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sparks Hometowne Market and West Street Market hours are 4 to 9 p.m., with the latter also open Saturday, 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The copyright of the article 2009 Guide to Reno-Sparks Area Public Markets in Nevada Travel is owned by Connie Emerson. Permission to republish 2009 Guide to Reno-Sparks Area Public Markets in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.