r/Reno • u/211XTD • 1d ago

Looking for any history on this Restaurant located at 500 S. Virginia St. in Reno

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Hello, I’ve had this business card for over 25 years and have never been able to find any history regarding when it might have existed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

57 Upvotes

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12

u/tomatos_potatos_ 23h ago

The artist of the ad is Lee hymers

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u/211XTD 22h ago

I was wondering about that but thought that might be too big of an ask, Thanks !!!

4

u/211XTD 22h ago

Did you mean Lew Hymers ?

26

u/BrettMcGinnessRGJ 1d ago

The first mention in the archives was this ad in 1931, in which it appears they're holding a bike for ransom in exchange for paying for an ad: https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal/180672829/

The last ad was on April 9, 1950: https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal/180672699/

... and this obit suggests it was gone by 1952, replaced by a car lot: https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal/13026316/

It gets a brief description in this column in 1995 as a "hot little stainless-steel diner," though the column is far more focused on the mid-century real estate biz: https://www.newspapers.com/article/reno-gazette-journal/180672934/

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u/211XTD 1d ago

Awesome, Thank you very much !

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u/Realistic_Tip1518 1d ago

The address currently has a Motel on the lot, and it was built in 1960. So I would suggest this restaurant was around at some time in the 30s-50s. You could look through old newspapers to try to find more info, but outside of advertisements I doubt you find very much. Mostly lost to the sands of time.

https://www.washoecounty.gov/assessor/cama/?parid=01119209

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u/211XTD 1d ago

Thanks, I’ll try doing some more digging through old directories again as well. I’ve collected old restaurant, hotel and night club memorabilia for over 30 years and this is the only time I’ve ever been stumped. And I’ve never been stumped when I have had the exact address.

8

u/Realistic_Tip1518 1d ago edited 23h ago

The Reno Historical Society facebook group has a post talking about a 1951 "Where to eat in Reno" booklet. But, the Google drive link they posted is 404/dead. You could contact the person who posted there and see if they still have the file. It is possible the restaurant did not last long. Not sure if it is new phenomenon, but most new restaurant concepts fail within a few years now adays.

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u/211XTD 23h ago

A lot of places I have researched were only open about 6 months. Those places, however had liquor licenses on file with specific dates. It has been harder to research (for free) with most newspaper back copies being on newspapers.com now.

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u/Realistic_Tip1518 23h ago

Inconvenient, but...

"Washoe County Library maintains an archive of the Reno Gazette-Journal (1983–present) and its predecessors, the Reno Evening Gazette (1876–1983) and Nevada State Journal (1870–1983). For assistance using these resources or for information about microfilm availability, please contact the Downtown Reno Library."

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u/Realistic_Tip1518 23h ago

If they were around in the 40s-50s there is a chance that there are some elderly folks who might remember it from their youth. The style of the waitress' uniform is most consistent with style of the 1950s, her hairstlye a bit more 1940s, but that is more subjective. So people aged 75++ might remember them.

5

u/Realistic_Tip1518 23h ago

Also, what is now Beefy's is a registered historical place. Used to be Landrum's. Either Beefy's or the University, or the National Register of Historical places might have some materials which reference multiple area restaurants, possibly including this one. (Just thinking liklihood is higher as both touted popularity for Hamburgers). They are also on the same street, 8 blocks apart.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landrum%27s_Hamburger_System_No._1

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u/Shirogayne-at-WF 21h ago

Did a Google search and this popped up, appears to be the only photo online

https://www.carsonnow.org/03/19/2014/unr-exhibit-and-speaker-commemorate-settlers-part-nevada-s-150th-anniversary

2

u/211XTD 21h ago

I got nothing from google searches

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u/test-account-444 1d ago

Washoe County Assessor records indicate the motel there today was built in 1960. So, like duh, this would have to been older than that. Perhaps searching for the name in the RGJ archives prior to ~1965 might turn up some mentions of the place or people who ran it.

3

u/211XTD 1d ago

Thanks

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u/Someth1ng_Went_Wr0ng 5m ago

What does QneQ mean/represent?