A to Zen has been a Carson City staple for the past decade. While they’re mostly known for their assortment of vintage finds, their large record and book collection, handmade gifts, costumes, and what may be the largest collection of knick-knacks in Carson City, they’ve also been engaging in community activities for years.
Six years ago, A to Zen started hosting open mic nights in the store every Friday, and they’ve continued that tradition. They’ve also hosted haunted houses, yoga classes, concerts, private parties and more.
Owner Mike Epps is working to continue the community engagement he brings to the shop.
With the addition of yoga classes and soon-to-be cooking classes and a cafe-style tea service, Epps is creating a unique space for Carson City residents to come and engage with each other in learning new tasks and enjoying family-friendly entertainment.
Epps first opened A to Zen during the 2008 economic crash after he knew working in construction as a home builder just wouldn’t be feasible anymore.
“It was a matter of survival,” said Epps. “My motivation was to not starve. I remember I was in front of my house having a garage sale and I thought, ‘hey, I wonder if I could do this for a living.’”
He and his family lost a lot during the crash. Their savings, their house, Epps’ career. But he is adaptable, and the shop has adapted alongside him.
Epps has begun offering tech and video services to bands and musicians who come to play during open mic nights and concerts, and his next plan is to expand that to the public.
“Next month we have a chef coming to teach a sushi rolling class,” said Epps, “and it’s a perfect opportunity to record, whether it be for marketing materials, YouTube, or live streaming.”
Between four to six cameras are used during recordings, with a sound technician on site. Epps is also coming up with ways to design sets for people to come and film videos, whether it be cooking shows, blogs, or the traditional concert, often with a live audience, which adds an extra pop to marketing materials.
A to Zen’s live streamed videos, interviews and more can be viewed by clicking here.
The shop will soon to be downsizing as Epps focuses more on the future of A to Zen.
“At this point, I’m paying my rent on record and book sales,” said Epps. “They’re our biggest selling point.”
Some of the inventory in the shop has been waiting to find new homes for years, said Epps, and those items and clothing items will more than likely be cleared out for A to Zen’s new year’s overhaul.
A portion of the shop will soon be cleared out for another vendor to rent, and Epps has big ideas for moving forward with A to Zen.
“We’d like to see more community engagement from people who want to rent the space for concerts, classes, what have you,” said Epps.
The shop hosted the first “Zen as F*&$” yoga class this week, which will be a recurring class every first and third Wednesday of the month. Meditation groups have also approached Epps, who is currently working with them to figure out scheduling.
A tea service is also in the works, which will turn a portion of the shop into a cafe where people can come, drink tea, read books, listen to music, relax, etc.
With the creation of the freeway, a lot of the shop’s drive-by clientele has ebbed, and Epps is once again adapting.
“I’ve always been interested in working with the community,” said Epps. “My thoughts are, if you’re running a business that’s only taking from people and not giving back, you’re not providing your community a service. Carson City is a small town, and everyone needs to be giving back to each other.”
A to Zen is located at 1804 N Carson Street in the Grocery Outlet shopping center.
To learn more about A to Zen, or about renting out the space for parties, classes, or filming, contact Epps on facebook by clicking here.
