Raymond’s Sourdough Bread

Raymond’s Sourdough Bread
235 N. Virginia St. | Reno
775.657.8880

A world class bakery in Downtown Reno? Yes!

While Raymond’s story in Reno began in late August of 2009, his obsession with bread began nearly 30 years ago. In 1978, Raymond Ofiesh’s parents bought a small neighborhood delicatessen in San Mateo, California. Raymond was still in high school at the time, and he and his three brothers and one sister loved working for their parents during the summer. Each year, their little deli grew in popularity until they outgrew their location…twice…and ended up in South San Francisco (172 Starlite St.) in the old Fantasia Bakery building. They now produce over 40,000 loaves of bread a day.

For a business to gain that kind of sustained popularity that has spanned nearly three decades in a city full of bakers, you know their bread has to be good.

So how did a bakery so famous end up with an additional location in one of Reno’s most blighted downtown blocks? It’s because Raymond’s father owns the building on Virginia St. across from Harrah’s Reno. When the liquor store located just south of the arch next to the Little Nugget closed, Raymond saw an opportunity to use the space to introduce Reno to his amazing, naturally-fermented sourdough bread.

They bake fresh sourdough bread every hour from 7am to 7pm and use the same mouth-watering recipes used for their massive production in San Francisco. They currently offer Sourdough, Wheat, White, French Roll, Dutch Crunch, Cinnamon Raisin, Light Rye, Pumpernickle, and Ciabatta breads. They’ve also teamed up with Perfect Donuts (located at 3687 Kings Row) to offer donuts made fresh daily by a local company.

It’s almost unheard of to have a bakery of this quality grace downtown Reno with its presence. Some folks are taking notice. Those who taste this bread are hooked, and it’s those loyal repeat customers that is keeping this business alive.

Be sure to pay a visit to Raymond’s Sourdough Bread, which is located just south of the Reno arch on Virginia St. in between 2^nd St. and Commercial Row.

Text and Photos by Mike Van Houtan