Playawear and Toys
Below are businesses – most all owned and operated by Burners – that offer costumery, vintage, upcycled, or new clothing for the playa, wigs, sex toys, etc. Note the world-famous and well-beloved The Melting Pot World Emporium has closed its doors.
Bellissima Beauty and Wig Salon
337 California Street – 775-786-1864 – (Downtown-Midtown)
Open Mon-Sat, 10am-5pm. Call for after hours arrangements. Owned and operated by Shawn and her “wigged-out” work family, Carrie, Katie, PJ, Nancy and Terri, Bellissima has been providing wigs to customers in the Reno-Sparks area and beyond for 50 years. They have a large selection of high quality costume wigs in a variety of fun colors. Styles include Afro, Marilyn, pin-up, china doll, punk rocker and many others to complement your outfit. They can also create custom pieces to top-off your unique attire, but you’ll need to contact them by August 15 to ensure your wig is ready for the playa. They also offer a full service beauty salon, with cuts and coloring, and nail art.
Black Hole Body Piercing
912 South Virginia Street – 775-329-6010 – (Downtown-Midtown)
Open Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-9pm. A full-service piercing studio owned by a female burner since 1995. The Black Hole carries a huge selection of jewelry for body piercing and stretched ears, and offers clean, private and group-viewing piercing rooms, using only single-piercing needles. The friendly and knowledgeable staff would be pleased to discuss any piercing questions or ideas you may have.
Chocolate Walrus Boutique
1278 South Virginia Street – 775-825-2267 – (Downtown-Midtown)
Open Daily 10am-9pm. The Chocolate Walrus has the biggest selection in town of new sexy outfits and costumes for primarily women, and some outstanding things for men as well. You can find hundreds and hundreds of different themed costumes or accessories, as well as tons of dresses, jackets, lingerie, sequin bras, corsets, netting, faux fur outfits, bootie shorts, parasols, tutus, masks, hats, boas, boots, pumps, pasties, jewelry, makeup, and biofriendly glitter etc. You can also find many sex toys and role-playing outfits. Men can find some upscale gothic or steampunk outfits, in particular.
Good Things
650 Main Street – 916-261-2970 – (Cedarville)
Open Fri-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm. Call ahead for possible extended hours. A really cozy thrift store and community market-place that will notably have bikes, vintage wear, tutus, handbags, hats, and jewelry for during Burning Man.
Junkees Clothing Exchange
299 East Plumb Lane – 775-322-5865 – (Reno Airport)
101 North Virginia Street – 775-622-9832 – (Downtown-Midtown)
Open Daily 11am-7pm. World-famous Junkees has moved to two new locations, both having a massive selection of mainly recycled/upcycled, as well as new clothing and costumes for women, men, and children of all ages. Pretty much anything you need, want or wish to fabricate, ranging from wedding dresses, marching band and military uniforms, circus, steampunk, Halloween, lingerie, fishnets, goggles, sunglasses, hats, vests, wigs, makeup, jewelry, … and el-wire kits. Enjoy the very helpful staff and always hip tunes.
Label’s Consignment Boutique
601 West 1st Street – 775-825-6000 – (Keystone)
Open Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. A large variety of recycled vintage, classy clothing, including tutus and faux fur coats, designed primarily with women in mind.
The Nest
201 Keystone Avenue – 775-284-8841 – (Keystone)
Open 11am-6pm (Sun until 5pm). The Nest is West Reno’s go-to for elevated playa fashion, vintage wear, costumes and curiosities. Women can find some great dresses, hats, and accessories, and men can find some pimp suits and ties. From vintage fur coats and desert-ready boots to handmade adornments, oddities, and camp accoutrements with character—every piece invites radical self-expression.
Salvation Army Thrift Store
1925 Sutro Street – 775-688-4588 – (Downtown-Midtown)
Open 9am-6pm, closed Sundays. Pretty big thrift store with clothing, costume, rugs and some camping supplies.
Saver’s Thrift Store
3800 Kietzke Lane – 775-284-4350 – (Moana)
Open Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Primarily clothing (costume ideas?!) will be found at this largest of thrift stores in the area, with really good prices. All Saver’s stores are affiliated with local charities, and the socially-conscious buyer who spends money here is helping support Friends of National Multiple Sclerosis in Reno.