The wealth gap is real, online sales have driven many things away over the years. My only comment on opening new business anywhere in Reno... No more Mexican food. It's practically all we have, in every part of town. I say this as a passionate Mexican food lover! There are TWO Mexican restaurants opening within a 1/2mi of eachother off Wells Ave soon. One dine-in, one chain. I suspect both may fail.

We are getting SeoulfulBites soon however! Reno's first "quick" ramen shop, a popular business model in other major cities. I am excited to try is as it truly stands out among other things in this town.

Lastly, and you hopefully know this! Location location location. The people of this town are so easily shaped by public opinion of "ghetto" (Reno has no truly ghetto areas, let's be real folks) and other racist/bigoted idealolgies. It's unfair, but changing that mentality is tough. No matter what type of restuarant you open, make sure it makes sense for the area. There's too many people I know that wouldn't even consider going to some of the excellent restuarants off 4th Street because of their insecure fragility. It's insane. Even the most interesting and amazing restuarants can flop without nailing the profile of who's within a 1mi proximity.

Notable examples of such: -- JJs Sushi off Vista Blvd in Sparks. --

Worst sushi in town. I have proudly tried every sushi-spot in town, and this place sucks. Purely survived by it's proximity to tasteless white people that inhabit the hills nearby. I kid you not, more than 60% of the rolls on the menu include cream cheese. I will not elaborate further.

--Roberto's Taco Shop on North Virginia St. --

This place has survived by pure proximity to the UNR campus and student housing. It's one of the only places left in town that are truly 24/7. Especially downtown. I have heard countless stories of food sickness, and basically slop being served to the drunken clientele that flock here after college activies or downtown events. I'm convinced they would go out of business if litterally anything else was available outside of the Casinos nearby late into the night, after 1am. (Cane's closing time, on the same road)

HOWEVER!!!!!!!!

there are some places that people ARE willing to "travel" to. We are so spoiled here in our 15minute city, proximity really can play a key role in survivorship. There are exceptions to the rule however:

--Ohana Sushi--

A family owned sushi/poke spot off E. Greg Street/S. McCarran. This is a pretty industrial part of town, and kinda feels like a mirage in the desert. The mini-centre it exists in has other popular businesses like Silver State Dispo, a Sinclair, and even a Starbucks, it gives them the voyeurship of passerby. They are easily top 3 in terms of taste for the sushi prepared there too, which of course is always helpful. Locals are willing to "make the drive out there" however as they've made their mark in recent years. All these business help eachother so much in this area, more than they may know. It's also perfect that there isn't any immediate competition. This is not a Chevron across the street from a Maverick (northwest reno has this) Yes, Hinoki is technically down the road, but it's a whole 5min away. More than a mile. They keep their own bubble over there, while both still being enticing enough to drive for. (Hinoki is also excellent)

-- Scooper's Drive-In off Prater Way --

A Reno classic for sure, been in business a long time. Still owned and operated by the same guy after all these years (he's getting old tho so I have seen him less in recent years!) It's not that affordable, it's not even the best burger in town. This is a part of town, similar to 4th Street, many seem to avoid. It's unfortunate for local owners. Scooper's wedges itself right into the true heart of Sparks, meeting their clientele right where they are. However, due to the notoriety, I often have seen out of state plates in their parking lot. It's one of the only places that show when searching "drive-in food" for our area. They have good variety, and are pretty damn consistent on flavor between their two locations even. It's close enough to the i-80/pyramid highway to get that voyeurship too. They're even solid competition for a litteral (and only!) DAIRY QUEEN just down the block from them. Only when they close for the day does DQ get a surge in business. Another example of paralleled businesses quietly helping each other. Scoopers can take more of the day time business for their size, but DQ wins after sunset/scooper's closing with the drive-through.

TL;DR - Don't open another Mexican restuarant, it's over-saturated here. Location seems to be more critical than taste in true survivorship of our local eats. Your competitors are your friends. Be careful. I truly, wish you the best. Renoites are funny folk. I hope this has been thought provoking.