Boutique, owners discover direction with new location

La Bussola translates from Italian to "the compass," an instrument that determines direction.

Meredith Tanzer and her partner, Dawn Lewis, have set their lives in a specific direction as owners of La Bussola, a Reno art boutique featuring crafts, jewelry, glassware, accessories and other objects that are handcrafted by local and national artists.

"Before I owned the store, I didn't know I would love doing this," Tanzer said. "I love my store; I could do this until the day I die."

La Bussola opened in 2003 on West First Street. But downtown rents are expensive, and earlier this year, the owners started looking for a bigger location on Virginia Street. The plan unexpectedly fell through, and La Bussola was left with nowhere to go.

"That place would have been the bee's knees," Tanzer said of the big store that was not to be.

A sudden stroke of luck crossed the couple's path when their friend, Jennifer Oxier, owner of the vivacious Salon 7, invited Tanzer and Lewis to set up shop inside the salon.

"It was the most generous act ever," said Tanzer. "The people here are wonderful. It's like working with a bunch of your friends."

Tanzer and Lewis moved La Bussola into the salon during Memorial Day weekend. They started renovating Sunday night, and by Tuesday morning, they opened.

"It was crazy," Tanzer laughs. "In true La Bussola spirit."

The couple took the interior from The G Spot, a pride store that recently went out of business, and started again using their signature flashy colors, girly pampering products, fabulous vintage purses and hand made pro LP record handbags.

La Bussola and Salon 7 have created an incredible juxtaposition bringing together two of Reno’s most colorful and culturally diverse shops in hopes to lively up the community with more culture.

Planned fundraisers

They've planned events for the summer that include bikini car wash fundraisers, a children's art gallery, and an Artown performance by writer and performer Hank Sosnowski, who will be living 24/7 in the shop to write, read poetry and entertain customers who visit.

The store raised more than $500 at its last car wash and gave the proceeds to four different Nevada charities, including the Nevada AIDS foundation, the Crisis Call Center, the SPCA of Northern Nevada and the Step Into Music program, which brings music to area schools.

"There are so many nonprofit agencies that have lost their funding," Tanzer said. "So, many of them are completely working on donor funds alone or from their own pockets. That for us is horrifying, so we love to help."

La Bussola also opened the Deuce Hair Salon and Boutique in the Sands Casino, in partnership with Salon 7.

"It's funky and Frank Sinatra-y," Tanzer said.

With her busy schedule and passion for entrepreneurship, Tanzer said she works to keep the success of their businesses and community involvement.

'Crazy' life

"The life of having a store is a crazy one," Tanzer said. "It would be really great for people to remember us and shop if they want us to survive."

They are still looking for a bigger space in a lively neighborhood for La Bussola.

"It's not a long-term stay, but we'll be here until we find the right area," Tanzer said. "We don't want to rush it, though, because it's better not to settle."

La Bussola also plans to expand into California and Hawaii in the future.

Earlier this year, they opened a nonprofit gallery, Heart Spot Gallery & Books, in partnership with Nevada Aids Foundation. Tanzer and Lewis also run 2by2creations, their home décor and gift business.

"Saying goodbye was the hardest thing," Tanzer said about the old location. "We spent a ton of time there because we loved being there. It breaks my heart that I'm not there at the old place, but I am so lucky to have my shop."

"The move allowed us to open our eyes to new possibilities that we wouldn't have tried for years. I believe that if you really want something, your life puts you in that direction," Tanzer said.

Photo:

Liz Margerum/Reno Gazette-Journal

Art hangs on the wall at La Bussola in the new location inside Salon 7 on Cheney Street in Reno.