History enthusiast wins antique desk in Carson City

Eric Bevans spent more than four hours touring Carson City businesses with his wife, Rebecca, and their daughter during the grand opening of the new downtown corridor last Friday.

“I went to businesses I’d never been to before, and I’ve lived here 25 years,” he said. “We made so many great discoveries — despite the rain.”

He counted the day a success in itself.

“I didn’t expect anything from it,” he said. “The only thing I expected was to see our beautiful downtown.”

But on Thursday he was notified he won the raffle’s grand prize – a flame mahogany drop-leaf desk, likely from Germany in the 1870s. Donated by Hanifin’s Arts and Antiques, the desk’s estimated worth is $3,400.

“I always dreamed of shopping for something like this from Hanifin’s,” Bevans said. “It’s a dream come true for me. It’s gorgeous. I love antique furniture, so I was elated to get it.”

A self-proclaimed “steam punk aficionado,” Bevans volunteers at the Nevada Railroad Museum dressed as Baron Von Steam.

“I live in the wrong century,” he said. “This just puts me closer to the right century I’m really from. I wear a top hat around town.”

Michael Robbins, owner of Hanifin’s Arts and Antiques, said the prize went to the right person. He also praised the Road to the Future event to promote the downtown businesses after seven months of road construction to narrow Carson Street and widen sidewalks.

“I think the downtown is headed in the right direction,” Robbins said. “And I want to be a part of it. After 17 years in business, I think this might be the best business year so far.”

Mike Riggs, president of the Downtown Business Association, which hosted the event, said it was a success.

“It went way beyond our expectations,” he said. “The feedback from the community was amazing. The businesses felt the impact. Their shops were busy, and they got to engage with new potential customers.

“The event achieved what we wanted it to.”

He said it will likely be held again next year.

But Bevans, owner of the custom car and truck business Dr. Smash Designs, is left with a big decision to make.

When he went to Hanifin’s to pick up the desk, he saw an old Victorian couch — a silvery blue, “the color of Mackay silver that came out of Virginia City.”

“I’ll probably be back for that couch,” he said. “It will go perfectly in my boudoir room.”

For more information, go to downtowncarson.org.