In Homage Bakery, the smell of savory croissants, sweet treats, and a homey feel welcomes you in, and offers a calm refuge from the stress of work, school, and daily life. Personally, I have enjoyed hitting up this quaint little cafe for a nice chat with friends, some time to focus on writing, or a quick treat. The bakery, founded in 2011 by chef and baker Nicholle Alumbaugh, has a unique, yet familiar and homey atmosphere that brings in regulars and tourists alike. Student/barista Emily Schmid is the quintessential Renoite, reflecting the laid-back vibe that flows through the air with the scent of fresh fallen snow.
Schmid began working at Homage in September of 2016.
With her handmade necklaces and concert bracelets, Schmid shows off her bold style despite being in uniform. When she’s not working, she likes to ski and go to EDM concerts in Reno. One of her favorite venues is the downtown spot Cargo, she says.
Homage has a variety of options on their menu, from classic coffee drinks to ones with a little more flair. You can get anything from a plain latte with beautiful foam art to a quirky artisanal creation like the bombon.
The barista’s favorite thing to do at work is making coffee, she tells me. Specifically, the bombon, “Just because it looks really cool.” The dessert coffee has a base of sweet condensed milk with four shots of espresso poured over it, Schmid explains as she prepares it.
In addition to working at Homage, Schmid is majoring in environmental science at the University of Nevada.
“I’m like obsessed with the environment, and there’s really nothing else I can imagine myself doing, because I just want to be outside,” Schmid says.
Every day, there is a wide variety of sweet and savory pastries available to patrons at Homage, from artichoke and feta stuffed croissants (one of my personal favorites) to sweet, fresh-baked cookies. I choose to have a cookie with the bombon Schmid has prepared for me, and, let me tell you, I highly recommend the combo. Although, the bombon is more of a dessert drink it might even be nice to sip on after wolfing down a savory croissant.
The shop’s customers can enjoy their drinks in cozy chairs or wooden tables inside and outside on mosaic-topped patio tables when the weather permits. Quiet, calming coffee shop music plays in the background, and local art hangs on the wall, capturing the spirit of Reno.
Located in a quaint home a little further outside of town than the college, the shop is fairly removed from the bustle of downtown. Students like Schmid and locals from all walks of life can come here to get away from the casinos, and experience a different side of Reno.