Boulder County Gold » 2009 Boulder County Gold – Boulder County Gold

2009 Boulder County GOLD PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS Winners

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:14:41 +0000

EATS, DRINKS & ENTERTAINMENT Best American Restaurant AND Best Late-Night Restaurant The Kitchen RU for Best American Restaurant: Boulder ChopHouse & Tavern RU for Best Late-Night Restaurant: The Attic Bar & Bistro Best Asian Restaurant Chey Thuy RU: Golden Lotus Best Bakery Breadworks Cafe RU: Spruce Confections Best Bar AND Best Italian Restaurant Carelli’s of Boulder Ristorante Italiano RU for Best Bar: West End Tavern RU for Best Italian: Pasta Jay’s Best Barbecue The Rib House RU: KT’s Barbecue Best Caterer A Spice of Life RU: Dish Gourmet Best Coffeehouse Vic’s RU: Laughing Goat Coffehouse Best Deli Salvaggio’s Delicatessen RU: Snarf’s Best Happy Hour AND Best Outdoor Dining AND?Best Appetizers Mediterranean Restaurant (The Med) RU for Best Happy Hour AND Best Appetizers: Brasserie Ten Ten RU for Best Outdoor Dining: Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace Best Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt Glacier Home Made Ice Cream & Gelato RU: Cold Stone Creamery Best Indian Restaurant The Taj RU: Tandoori Grill Best Mexican Restaurant Efrain’s Mexican RU: Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant Best New Restaurant Happy Noodle House RU: Arugula Bar e Ristorante Best Pizza Abo’s Pizza RU: Proto’s Pizza Best Seafood Jax Fish House RU: Dolan’s Restaurant Best Sushi Hapa Sushi RU: Sushi Zanmai Best Take-out Food Jimmy & Drew’s Delicatessen RU: Noodles & Co. Best Vegetarian Restaurant Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant RU: Sunflower Best Gunbarrel/Niwot Restaurant Colterra RU: Treppeda’s Italian Ristorante Best Lafayette/Louisville/Superior/Erie Restaurant The Empire Lounge & Restaurant RU: Efrain’s Mexican Best Longmont/Lyons Restaurant Oskar Blues Cajun Grill & Brewery RU (TIE): The Rib House / Sugarbeet Best Breakfast AND?Best Brunch Lucile’s Creole Cafe RU for Best Breakfast: Walnut Cafe RU for Best Brunch: Greenbriar Inn Best Place for a Romantic Dinner Flagstaff House Restaurant RU: Carelli’s of Boulder Ristorante Italiano Best Dessert Cheesecake Factory RU: The Kitchen Best Restaurant Service Frasca Food & Wine RU: Flagstaff House Restaurant Best Restaurant to Bring Kids Red Robin Gourmet Burgers & Spirits RU: Noodles & Co. Best Place to Hear Live Music Boulder Theater RU: Nissi’s Best Theater Performance Boulder’s Dinner Theatre RU: Colorado Shakespeare Festival Best Boulder County Event Boulder Creek Festival RU: Bolder Boulder SERVICES, FACES & PLACES Best AC/Heating Service Precision Plumbing & Heating RU (TIE): Save Home Heat Co. Meyer’s Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Best Auto Dealer Fisher Chevrolet Honda RU (TIE): Boulder Toyota / Flatirons Acura/Subaru Best Auto Repair Shop/Service Dept. Hoshi Motors RU: Super-Rupair Best Car Wash Puddle Touch-Free Car Wash RU: Black Diamond Car Wash Best Carpet Cleaning Service Nesheim Cleaning Services, Inc. RU: Chem-Dry of Boulder Best Kids‘ Day Camp Rocky Mountain Day Camp RU: YMCA of Boulder Valley Best Financial Institution Elevations Credit Union RU: Boulder Valley Credit Union Best Dentist Joel L. Schaffer, DDS RU: Steven L. Eurich, DDS Best Dry Cleaner/Laundromat Art Cleaners RU: John’s Cleaners Best Place to Work Out RallySport Health and Fitness Club RU: 24 Hour Fitness Best Pilates/Yoga Center CorePower Yoga RU (TIE): Yoga Pod / RallySport Health and Fitness Club Best Hair Salon FIX RU: The Parlour Best Hearing Aid Center Hearing HealthCare Centers RU: Boulder Valley Hearing & Speech Center Best Holistic Care/Wellness Center Frasier Meadows RU (TIE): Acupuncture Clinic of Boulder Helios Integrated Medicine Best Interior Design Studio Bartlett Interiors RU (TIE): Design Matters Home Timberline Fine Furniture & Interior Design Best Lasik/Laser Eye Facility/Surgeon InSight Lasik RU: Beyer Laser Center Best Medical Facility Boulder Community Hospital RU: Boulder Medical Center Best Moving Company Taylor Moving RU: TWO MEN AND A TRUCK Best Pet Boarding Service Cottonwood Kennels RU: Broadway Animal Hospital Best Pet Grooming Service The Hydrant RU: Dog Spot Best Veterinarian Alpine Hospital for Animals RU: Broadway Animal Hospital Best Place for Worship Unity of Boulder RU: First Presbyterian Church of Boulder Best Funeral Home Service Provider Crist Mortuary & Crematory RU: M.P. Murphy & Associates Funeral Home Best Real Estate Agent Paul Roach, RE/MAX of Boulder RU (TIE): Karen Bernardi, Bernardi Real Estate Group at Coldwell Banker Dave Fish, RE/MAX of Boulder Best Real Estate Company/Office Wright-Kingdom Real Estate RU: RE/MAX of Boulder Best Retirement/Alternative or Elder Care/Assisted Living The Academy RU: Frasier Meadows Retirement Community Best Boulder Valley/St. Vrain School Boulder High School RU: Fairview High School Best Teacher Doug London, Alexander Dawson School RU: Brenda Taylor, Centennial Middle School Best Spa Essentiels Spa RU: St. Julien Hotel & Spa Best Skincare Facility Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder RU: Essentiels Spa Best Storage Facility U Store It RU: Boulder Bins Self Storage Best Tanning Salon Tans To Go RU: VerandaSun Best Travel Agency James TravelPoints RU: Cain Travel Best Place to Entertain Kids Pearl Street Mall RU: Gateway Park Fun Center Best Local Employer Boulder Valley Credit Union RU: Boulder Community Hospital Best Non-Profit Organization Humane Society of Boulder Valley RU: Eco-Cycle Best Activist/Community Champion John Breaux RU: Josie Heath, The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County Best Customer Service McGuckin Hardware RU: Boulder Valley Credit Union SHOPPER’S PARADISE Best Antique Dealer The Amazing Garage Sale RU: Bedell & Co. Best Antique Jewelry Store Classic Facets Antique Jewelry RU: Hurdle’s Jewelry Best Art Gallery Art & Soul Gallery RU: Mary Williams Fine Arts Best Art Supply & Hobby Store Michaels RU: Art Hardware Best Bedding/Linens/Mattress Store Verlo Mattress Factory RU: Bed Bath & Beyond Best Bicycle Shop University Bicycles RU: Full Cycle Best Bookstore Boulder Book Store RU: Barnes & Noble Booksellers Best Children’s Store Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe RU: PlayFair Toys Best Camera Store Mike’s Camera RU: Wolf Camera Best Men’s Clothing Store The Regiment RU: Weekends Best Women’s Clothing Store JJWells RU: Chelsea Best Shoe Store Pedestrian Shops RU: Two Sole Sisters Best Eye Care Store Aspen Eyewear RU: Wink Optical Best Floor Covering Store Atlas Flooring, Inc. RU: FloorCrafters Best Florist AND Best Garden Center Sturtz & Copeland RU for Best Florist (TIE): Fiori Flowers / Lafayette Florist RU for Best Garden Center: The Flower Bin Garden Center & Nursery Best Tree Nursery The Tree Farm RU (TIE): CreekSide Tree Nursery / Harlequin’s Gardens Best Gift Shop Paper Doll RU: Jacque Michelle Best Green Products/Services Store Ellie’s Eco Home Store RU: Whole Foods Market Best Grocery Store Whole Foods Market RU: Sunflower Farmers Market Best Hardware Store AND Best Locally Owned Store McGuckin Hardware RU for Best Hardware Store: Home Depot RU for Best Locally Owned Store: P.C.’s Pantry for Dogs and Cats Best Home Furnishings Store HW Home RU: Bartlett Interiors Best Housewares & Kitchen Goods Store Peppercorn RU: McGuckin Hardware Best Imported Goods Store Cost Plus World Market RU: Indochine Best Jewelry Store AND Best Company/Store that Gives Back to the Community Walters & Hogsett Fine Jewelers RU for Best Jewelry Store: Hurdle’s Jewelry RU for Best Company/Store That Gives Back to the Community: Whole Foods Market Best Liquor Store Liquor Mart RU (TIE): Superior Liquor / Boulder Wine Merchant Best Place to Buy Musical Instruments Robb’s Boulder Music RU: H.B. Woodsong’s Best Pet Store/Bakery/Deli P.C.’s Pantry for Dogs and Cats RU: Whole Pets Best Recycled Goods/Thrift Store Hospice Care & Share Thrift Shop RU: Savers Best Running Store Boulder Running Company RU: Fleet Feet Best Sporting Goods Store AND Best Outdoor Recreation Store REI RU for Best Sporting Goods Store (TIE): Sports Authority / Dick’s Sporting Goods RU for Best Outdoor Recreation Store: Neptune Mountaineering Best Place to Buy Windows (within Colorado) Champion Windows, Siding & Patio Rooms RU (TIE): SolarGlass Window & Door Renewal By Andersen Best Place to Buy Window Treatments (within Colorado) Innovative Openings RU: Cloth Constructions Best Shopping Destination (within Colorado) Pearl Street Mall RU: FlatIron Crossing

BEST Liquor Store: Liquor Mart

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:12:22 +0000

Winner

Liquor Mart www.liquormart.com 1750 15th St., Boulder 303.449.3374

Liquor Mart

General manager Jack Stoakes credits the founders of Liquor Mart for creating the company’s roadmap to success: selection, service and value. “That was back in 1968, and those things sustain us today,” he says. The selection at Liquor Mart is unarguably impressive. The store’s 30,000 square feet houses more than 1,500 beer products, more than 70 brands of keg beer, virtually every brand and type of liquor available and more than 6,000 varieties of wine. Should you need a roadmap to a particular spirit or an expert recommendation, Liquor Mart’s service is second-to-none. “You hear about employers saying, ‘I can’t find good help!’ You’ll never hear that coming from my lips,” asserts Stoakes. “We get great help. And our people stay with us; the average tenure here is about 15 years.” Liquor Mart also delivers on value, offering low prices overall as well as daily case discounts and weekly coupons. You’ll find details on all these offers at www.liquormart.com; you’ll also find Liquor Mart’s new online store, where you can not only browse the store’s huge selection, you can buy it and have it delivered.

Runner Up

Superior Liquor www.superiorliquor.com 100 Superior Plaza Way, Superior 303.499.6600

Runner Up

Boulder Wine Merchant www.boulderwine.com 2690 Broadway, Boulder 303.443.6761

BEST Place to Buy Musical Instruments: Robb’s Boulder Music

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:09:20 +0000

Winner

Robb’s Boulder Music www.robbsmusic.com 2691 30th St., Boulder 303.443.8448

Robb’s Boulder Music

Robb’s Boulder Music has been enabling the dreams of local musicians for 30 years. Big names like Big Head Todd and the Monsters, Wendy Woo and the Samples got their start with instruments from Robb’s. But the history of the place rests squarely on the shoulders of the thousands of unknowns who have patronized the store, too, the ones who saw a shiny axe in the window and decided, “That has to be mine.” For green and experienced musicians alike, those who live here and those just passing through, Robb’s offers a haven of hands-on experimentation with the best instruments in the business, as well as a friendly staff of musically minded individuals to help you find your signature sound. “We are constantly adding new and great products to our inventory that people want, need and enjoy,” says musician and owner Seth Goodman. Robb’s new 30th Street location has a complete percussion department as well as lots of new guitar, bass, live sound, keyboard and accessory products. And, says Goodman, be sure to check out what’s new in the music lesson, rental and repair departments.

Runner Up

H.B. Woodsong’s www.hbwoodsongs.com 2920 Pearl St., Boulder 303.449.0516

BEST Locally Owned Store: McGuckin Hardware

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:04:30 +0000

Winner

McGuckin Hardware www.mcguckin.com 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder 303.443.1822,

McGuckin Hardware

McGuckin Hardware stocks more than 200,000 items in 18 departments, including hardware, tools, housewares, camping gear, sporting goods, electronics, pet supplies, eco-friendly products, fireplaces, flowers, gifts, and school and office supplies. Don’t get the wrong idea though; McGuckin is anything but a generic, impersonal warehouse. It’s a 60,000-square-foot embodiment of our community’s essence. “Our product mix is geared to being located in Boulder,” says marketing manager Randy Barker. “Being independently owned allows us to react to our customers’ needs immediately. There’s no corporate office that needs to be consulted.” The owners are on the floor every day, taking note of customer preferences so inventory can be tailored to best meet their wants and needs. Also on the floor are the green vested heroes of McGuckin, the ones who can find the light bulb, hinge pin or nontoxic paint that has eluded you at every other store in town. “The key to that level of service is the longevity of our staff,” explains Barker. “We have a strong core of employees who have worked in the store for 10, and some even up to 40, years.”

Runner Up

P.C.’s Pantry for Dogs and Cats www.pcs-pantry.com 2600 30th St., Boulder 303.245.9909

BEST Hardware Store: McGuckin Hardware

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:57:50 +0000

Winner

McGuckin Hardware www.mcguckin.com 2525 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder 303.443.1822,

McGucking Hardware

Runner Up

Home Depot www.homedepot.com 1600 29th St., Boulder, 303.449.4221 1200 W. Dillon Road, Louisville, 303.661.9600 393 S. Hover Road, Longmont, 720.494.0319

BEST Sporting Goods Store: Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:52:58 +0000

Winner

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) www.rei.com 1789 28th St., Boulder 303.583.9970

REI

Shopping at REI is flat-out fun. “It has to do with us being a cooperative, so there’s a sense of belonging,” explains Boulder’s assistant store manager, Anna Ransdell. “This is a place where people come to hang out on the weekends.” The outdoor gear cooperative and its knowledgeable employees are passionate about what they provide: the means for experiencing, exploring and enjoying the great outdoors. Around every corner is a must-have jacket, tent, kayak, climbing rope, snowboard or other piece of tantalizingly shiny gear. What’s the latest must-have item from REI? Check out the Novara FlyBy Shuttle Foldable Bike, suggests Ransdell, a bike that folds up to the size of a small duffel bag. It has great potential, she says, “especially for bus commuters. A lot of time there’s no room on the bike racks. So what do you do with your bike? Fold it up and bring it on with you.” The FlyBy is like everything at REI: simultaneously ultra functional and ultra cool.

Runner Up

Dick’s Sporting Goods www.dickssportinggoods.com 210 Ken Pratt Blvd., Longmont 303.682.5740

Runner Up

Sports Authority www.sportsauthority.com 3320 N. 28th St., Boulder, 303.449.9021 301 Marshall Road, Superior, 303.554.0161 2251 Ken Pratt Blvd., Suite C, Longmont, 303.651.9697

BEST Outdoor Recreation Store: Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI)

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:45:13 +0000

Winner

Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI) www.rei.com 1789 28th St., Boulder 303.583.9970

REI

Runner Up

Neptune Mountaineering www.neptunemountaineering.com 633 South Broadway, Suite A, Boulder 303.499.8866

BEST Place to Buy Window Treatments (within colorado): Innovative Openings

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:40:16 +0000

Winner

Innovative Openings www.innovativeopenings.com 1672 30th St., Boulder 303.449.6465
Innovative Openings has been artfully covering Boulder County’s windows since 1980. The locally owned, independently operated company sells hundreds of solutions – solar screens, cellular shades, wood shutters, draperies, Roman shades, vertical blinds and many more – but it’s the people that make the difference. “A lot of employees have been with us a long time: 10 years, 25 years,” explains co-owner Dave Friedlander. “It takes a long time to get the experience necessary to be an expert in all the products we sell; we try hard to retain our employees for the long-term.” Part of that effort includes providing as many opportunities for local staff as possible. Currently, Innovative Openings’ most popular products are solar screen shades, transparent coverings that reflect and absorb sunlight without blocking the view. “The motorized solar screens are manufactured by our wholesale manufacturer Insolroll in Louisville, where our corporate office is located,” says Friedlander. “It’s the fastest-growing part of the window covering industry, and we make them right here.”

Runner Up

Cloth Constructions www.clothconstructions.com 3013 Walnut St., Boulder 303.449.2102

BEST Place to Buy Windows (within colorado): Champion Windows, Siding & Patio Rooms

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:37:40 +0000

Winner

Champion Windows, Siding & Patio Rooms www.championwindow.com 877.221.0770 or 303.499.7800

Champion Windows

The slogan really says it all: “We build it. We install it. We stand behind it.” Champion Windows has been providing factory direct products, service and pricing to our state since 1997. Because the windows are made in Colorado by Coloradans, they are designed and constructed with our climate and altitude in mind. The company also shares our concern for the environment; Champion windows are 35 percent more energy-efficient in winter and 41 percent more energy-efficient in summer than standard dual-pane glass windows. They are tested by the American Architectural Manufacturer’s Association, certified by the National Fenestration Rating Council and are Energy Star® compliant. For these reasons as well as the company’s free lifetime warranty on materials and installation, more than 40,000 Front Range residents have Champion windows.

Runner Up

SolarGlass Window & Door www.solarglass.com 7123 Arapahoe Road, Boulder 303.442.4277

Runner Up

Renewal by Andersen www.renewalbyandersen.com 8840 E. Arapahoe Road, Centennial, 303.773.1515

BEST Shopping Destination (within colorado): Pearl Street Mall

Boulder County Gold — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:34:24 +0000

Winner

Pearl Street Mall www.boulderdowntown.com Downtown Boulder (from 700 to 2200 Pearl St., between Spruce and Arapahoe) 303.449.3774

Pearl Street Mall

Pearl Street Mall is only four blocks long, but each one of those blocks packs a wallop of shopping, dining and entertainment – and many shopping and dining opportunities extend west and east of the walking Mall. Grab a great read at the Boulder Book Store. Pick up a present at Paper Doll. Find a frock at Fresh Produce. Relive your childhood at Into the Wind. There are so many fabulous choices. And once you’re done shopping, it’s time to drop into a cozy eatery for a delicious meal, an entertainment venue for a world-class show, or just a park bench to admire the surroundings, people watch or catch a busker in action. Unlike most shopping districts, the pedestrian Pearl Street Mall and its bordering East and West End corridors are made up of almost entirely independently operated businesses (an impressive 85 percent are locally owned). So when you spend money here, you’re not only privy to some of the best shopping on the Front Range, you’re also supporting the vitality of your hometown and hundreds of your fellow residents.

Runner Up

FlatIron Crossing www.flatironcrossing.com 1 W. FlatIron Crossing Drive, Broomfield 720.887.7467