Week of Aug. 15, 2024

From the editor’s desk

Have you ever had a retail or restaurant job? Are you among the many Reno residents (the city says 65% work in the “trade and service” sector) who work in the service industry currently? 

If you can answer yes to either of those questions, you already know that in these sectors, the pay can be less than glamorous; the hours can be grueling; and the smile you might be required to have on your face can be a chore to maintain when customers are demanding or just plain rude. 

But the work that entrepreneurs and employees do in these industries is crucial—not just to local economies, and not just for the sake of diners’ and shoppers’ enjoyment, but because a region’s particular eateries, bars, shops and other businesses make up an important part of the very character of the place. 

The rules of good, clear newswriting dictate that I should now give you a few examples of some of the only-in-Northern Nevada businesses I’m talking about. But, well, it’s mid-August, when the RN&R team is getting ready to release the Best of Northern Nevada issue—so I will make an exception in this case. 

A whopping 7,500 of you voted in this year’s poll, the highest number since the pandemic. (Thank you, readers!) Going through the results and getting the September print issue ready has gotten my sense of local pride soaring. In two short weeks, we’ll reveal the winners. For today, what’s front and center in my mind are all of the creative, hard-working people and businesses we’ll have the privilege of helping to shine a spotlight on in the Best of Northern Nevada issue on Aug. 30 and how much their combined senses of creativity, innovation and community make up the spirit of our region.

Take care,

—Kris Vagner, managing editor