Thursday, September 15, 2022

Natural Selection - Purveyors of Fine Plant & Animal Specimens. Keeping Reno Odd and Beautiful Since 2014


39 Saint Lawrence Avenue
Reno, Nevada 89509


Step right up folks, and take a look at some of the finest plant species, animal specimens like never seen before, and a scene built from passion that's guaranteed to invoke feelings of excitement.

Natural Selection is a vibe... an experience... a product of two wonderful women's love for all things natural.  If you're a nature enthusiast, maybe your next favorite store and/or addiction.   

It's a place where curiosities arise and are met with open arms, information, and experience, and where the imagination awakens and takes you to another world. 

This shop is carefully and thoughtfully decorated with handpicked vintage pieces of furniture,  serving as vessels for a variety of unique plants and animal specimens, contributing to the overall mood of the room.

I remember my first visit to this amazing shop last year, feeling as if I were taken back to a 1930s Jungle Cruise/Bate's Motel.  

I knew I had found one of my favorite stores ever to exist.

Taxidermy is often associated with darkness and horror movies, but is seen by taxidermy/animal/nature enthusiasts as an art.

From giving life new meaning to serving as educational tools, taxidermy has grown in popularity and is alive and well here at Natural Selection in Reno. 

With handpicked plants from private nurseries that you can't find anywhere else, ethically sourced taxidermy pieces, and other complimenting items like beautiful pots, rad books, and more,  you'll find that Natural Selection makes for a fun, unique, and educational trip, and the perfect place to shop for house decor & unique gifts. 


"You can't buy happiness, BUT YOU CAN BUY PLANTS... And that's pretty much the same thing."

Why Taxidermy?

-Some people simply think it's cool

-Serves as an outlet for people fascinated by wildlife (hunters, people that loved fishing with their uncles growing up)

-People love that it's a multi-discipline art that sometimes requires woodwork, sculpture, painting, skinning, & science. 

-Some people like molding what they think is the subject in its natural state

-Scenes are set in museums and serve as educational visuals

-People recognize that this art form is not the most popular and love that it's not saturated

-People love the challenge of making subjects look realistic

-People want to make art that inspires others to get out into the wild & increase people's appreciation for the natural world


Why Shop & Support Local?
*Buying local helps keep diverse and unique businesses open, which are generally run by passionate local business owners who provide outstanding service and create quality products and offerings.
*Local businesses that are successful at what they do have the power to create more jobs and opportunities for the local community.   
*Local businesses are more likely to support other local businesses like themselves, helping strengthen our community, making it a happier and more personal place to live. 
*You're helping support the dreams of friends & neighbors.


Notes
*Few parking spots are available up front.  Otherwise, you'll find plenty of neighborhood parking nearby.  Walking around Midtown on foot is the best as you'll run into so many stores in such a small area
*Emily & Marcy, daughter and mother duo, are the wonderful women that created this amazing shop.   Emily is the taxidermy specialist while Marcy is the plant specialist, though Emily is well versed in plant knowledge as well.
*Emily is absolutely passionate about what she does and was happy to share her story with me.  I'm inspired by her and her mother's kindness, intelligence, and courage to make their visions and dreams come to life. 
*If you want to see more taxidermy on display in Reno, check out Scheel's in Sparks and Wilbur D. May Museum.  Both places feature amazing sets of taxidermy exhibits. 
*If you want to make your trip to this store extra special, check out the hours for Perenn Bakery (Midtown location).  Indulge in some of Reno's best pastries right across the street. 

Photography
©Katherine Fung
All rights reserved.

Categorized Under "Local Businesses"---> "Gift Shops"

Saturday, September 10, 2022

Great Basin Co-op: An Amazing Local Grocery Store Made for and Run by Locals

Source

240 Court St, Reno, NV 89501
Yelp for more pictures and reviews

Great Basin is the product of two dreamers striving to provide wholesome local food and food equality to all. 

This grocery store is located in Midtown and is much smaller than the average grocery store, but it packs a big punch.

It has a kitchen of its own that supplies their hot/cold food section where you'll find an assortment of food offerings that cover all sorts of dietary needs.  

Upstairs, you'll find one of the best coffee shops in town, No City Coffee, that has a comfy and modern sitting area great for gathering, relaxing, and studying.

Out front, find a spot to sit on one of their picnic tables while admiring their demonstrative garden that exhibits all that thrives in our area.

Treat yourself to some of the best quality produce in town, sourced locally when possible.

This grocery store is super fun to hang around, has the best service, and supplies everything you need to be the healthiest version of yourself.

What You'll Find Inside
*No City Coffee - coffee shop on the second level. Flavorings and syrups made from scratch. Milk alternatives available
*a plethora of vibrant, healthy looking fruits and veggies
*house-made juices
*bulk items
*hot & cold grab and go items
*frozen meats
*kitchen & pantry staples
*vegan and vegetarian prepared foods
*Hot/Cold food section with grab-and-go items (vegan, vegetarian, seasonal, bakery, gluten-free, meat)

Their produce is always fresh and top notch.

What is a Co-op?
Co-ops are formed when people with similar goals come together and form an association that works toward a common cause.  

In the case of Great Basin Co-op, the business started with two food activists, Pauline Hamilton and Amber Sallaberry, who in their garage, used their passion for creating food equality to round up similar minds that would later make what is now Great Basin Food Cooperative.  

Read more about their amazing history, found on their website.  

From its birth in 2005 to its present day, Great Basin has grown so much and continues to provide nourishing food and educational opportunities for the community, while taking care of our local farmers, vendors, and artisans, and its workers.    


Great Basin Food Co-op's 7 Cooperative Principles
Source

Why Shop & Support Local?
*Buying local helps keep diverse and unique businesses open, which are generally run by passionate local business owners who provide outstanding service and create quality products and offerings.
*Local businesses that are successful at what they do have the power to create more jobs and opportunities for the local community.   
*Local businesses are generally great employers.  This couldn't be more true for Great Basin Food Co-op.  After looking over their goals in taking care of their employees and talking to some of their workers myself, it's not hard to see that they have a positive work environment. 
*Local businesses are more likely to support other local businesses like themselves, helping strengthen our community, making it a happier and more personal place to live. 
*You're helping support friends and neighbors' dreams.

Source

It's Not for Everyone
I understand that some people are not able to or are not willing to pay for owner fees ($200/person paid in full or $20/yearly) and that's totally ok.  

The Co-op is open to the public.  Everyone is welcome to shop here.

If you come out and take a gander at our gem of a grocery store, you can have a better idea to see if ownership is suitable and beneficial for you.

Prices are generally higher for organic produce because there's more loss in growing them without chemicals.


A Few Big Reasons to Support Great Basin
*They believe in fair and sustainable practices
*They work hard to raise funds to use towards their mission in providing food equality to all
*They offer items in bulk to keep waste to a minimum
*They supply produce to many of our beloved local restaurants
*They are passionate about educating the public so that they can make more informed and healthy decisions

Notes

*Great Basin Co-op makes some of the most amazing prepared foods and goods.  Their pumpkin cookies and muffins are SO good in the fall.  Their hot foods, including sandwiches, wraps, burritos, and soups are all amazing (I especially love their beef burrito).  Call in to see what's in stock.

*You can place an order online (for pick up at their store).

*They often carry Vegan/Vegetarian items, including fresh baked goods, hot foods, cold case items, and desserts.

*One amazing benefit of shopping at a co-op is that they offer items in bulk to keep waste to a minimum.  Call in to see if they're accepting personal containers.

*They sell organic local turkey during Thanksgiving every year (order ahead of time and pick up at store).

*They have a beautiful garden in front that showcases fruits and veggies that grow well in our climate. Educational and fun for all ages. 

*Parking can be tricky on weekends.  They have a small parking lot with about five spaces.  When filled up, street parking is available.

*I always get Tahoe Pops at the beach right next to Artemi's Lakefront Cafe in South Lake Tahoe (summertime) and was happy to learn that Great Basin Carries them.  Super fresh and flavorful pops.  Also find Tahoe Pops at Urban Market in Reno. 

Out front is the perfect spot to eat, hang, study, and read the newspaper.

Categorized in "Local Grocery Stores"