Businesses blame high rent for driving them from Reno Public Market

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Business owners who recently left Reno Public Market say they were driven out by the property’s high rent.

Sarah Reynosa, owner of Fuego Street Tacos, said she brought up here concerns to RPM management and was told she may be mismanaging her business. She says that is not the case.

“We are leaving because the rent is so high we cannot keep afloat,” said Reynosa. “We’re in here seven days a week. We got rid of staff. We’re shopping around, finding the best prices for food. We’re doing everything we can to keep costs down.”

Reynosa says RPM management’s suggestion was to raise prices so her business could afford rent.

RPM released a statement today in response to business owners saying they are leaving or closing down: “The reality of the retail, restaurant and hospitality business is that turnover in merchants is a normal, even healthy, part of the business cycle as consumers make it clear what they value. This is especially true for the Food Hall where merchants may be experimenting with a new concept or translating a food truck into a venue like Reno Public Market. While a tenant choosing to leave is never our desired outcome, we understand that not every business is going to be a fit and we respect their decisions as business owners.

What our customers, locals and visitors, want from a dining, shopping and entertainment experience continues to evolve and we are regularly evaluating what new experiences and offerings we can bring into RPM to meet those needs. We conduct robust and ongoing marketing efforts to support our merchants and drive traffic to the property.

We wish every vendor, past and current, the best success. Out of respect for our merchants, we will not be commenting publicly on the specifics of any individual business.

We are deeply appreciative of all of the businesses who have partnered with us and those who are about to join us in making Reno Public Market a go-to destination to eat, drink, shop and discover.”

Reno Public Market opened last year at S. Virginia Street and Plumb Lane.

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