Winner

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

McGuckin Hardware

Multiple award winner McGuckin Hardware is the epitome of good customer service. “The customer service standpoint sets us apart from many other stores,” says marketing manager Randy Barker. “This has been a family-owned business since 1955, and the customer-service example is set by the owners: Dave Hight and his son, Barry Hight, are active on the sales floor and serving customers every day. Due to the size of the store – 60,000 square feet with more than 200,000 items – it is often difficult for customers to locate things on their own. We strive to provide outstanding service to help them find what they’re looking for. We try to be available, but not overbearing.” Barker says the store is busy, despite the tough economy. “People are coming in here to get assistance on repair and maintenance to extend the life of products, rather than replacing them with new products.”

Runner Up

Boulder Valley Credit Union
www.bvcu.org
5505 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303.442.8850
2667 Broadway, Boulder, 303.449.3551
800 Coal Creek Circle, Louisville, 720.890.0404

Winner

John Breau

John Breaux

Sadly, this Award is given posthumously. John Breaux, age 57, was killed Jan. 30, 2009, after being hit by a driver who veered off Highway 287 in Lafayette. Breaux was a familiar figure in Louisville and Lafayette, known for his simple acts of kindness. As he spent most days riding his bicycle and picking up trash, he would hold open a door for someone or share his kind smile. Breaux lived with his family in Louisville, where a life-sized bronze statue of him, straddling his bike and waving, is planned as a permanent memorial. The statue will be placed on a grassy knoll near the Steinbaugh Pavilion in the Front Street Plaza. The sculptor, Louisville’s Dawn Record, considered Breaux a friend and is donating her time. Cost of the materials will be paid for through donations made to the John Breaux Memorial Fund. Record said she hopes the statue, including a trash bag hanging from the bike’s handlebar and a spot to leave flowers, can be installed by Jan. 30, 2010, the anniversary of his death. A memorial bike ride took place on Feb. 1, with hundreds honoring Breaux’s life. On May 9, dozens of people took part in the city’s inaugural John Breaux Spring Cleanup Day. John Breaux’s legacy is alive in the communities he loved. To donate to the John Breaux Memorial Fund to help cover the cost of materials for the memorial statue, visit any U.S. Bank branch.

Runner Up

Josie Heath
The Community Foundation Serving Boulder County
www.commfound.org
1123 Spruce St., Boulder
303.442.0436

Winner

James TravelPoints
www.travelpoints.com
1750 14th St., Boulder
303.442.2340

JamesTravelPoints

Founded in 1957, James TravelPoints is today led by a second generation of the James family. President Donald James explains the company’s success: “We’ve developed many specialty niches, so that one, two or three people here become experts in a particular destination. They focus all their attention on that destination. For example, we have three people whom we identify as our Mexico experts; people may go online themselves and research Mexico travel, but then they want to talk with someone who really knows Mexico, so they call us. We have three people who do nothing but plan trips to Belize and Costa Rica.” So, name your preferred location or type of travel – Russia, Japan, Italy, barge trips in France, cruises, and so on – and you’ll find a specialist at James. “We promote those experts on our Web site,” Donald James adds, “and so our marketplace has expanded beyond Boulder – it’s all over the United States. Someone in New York who wants to go to Costa Rica contacts us. One of the cornerstones of our business philosophy is creating relationships with our customers. Customers stay with us long-term, and they talk to their friends, family and associates about the good experience they’ve had with us. That’s the best advertising, and the best way for a business to grow and survive.”

Runner Up

Cain Travel
www.caintravel.com
3004 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder
303.443.2246

Winner

Essentiels Spa
www.halcyondayssalonsandspas.com/Essentiels_Spa.asp
2660 Canyon Blvd., Boulder
303.440.0711


Essentiels, which opened in 1997, is one of the Premier Spas of America – 40 elegant spas, salons and boutiques throughout North America that provide luxurious and beneficial wellness and beauty services. Spa director Lisa Frost points out some features that set Essentiels apart from other spas. “We have eight different full-day spa packages,” she says, “ranging from The Stress Buster, an aromatherapy tub followed by a full body massage, for $130; to the six-and-a-half-hour Day Out Extravaganza, with salt and oil body glow, Phytomer, a deluxe facial, full-body massage, manicure, pedicure and catered lunch, all for $375.” Essentiels provides a steam room and dry sauna for its clients, unlike other local spas, says Frost. “It is our mission at Essentiels Spa to improve quality of life through physical and mental rejuvenation. We strive to surpass expectations, and it is our labor of love to create memorable moments. Our staff works passionately to build enduring and rewarding relationships with our clients and community, through knowledge, wellness and superior service.”

Runner Up

St. Julien Hotel & Spa
www.stjulien.com
900 Walnut St., Boulder
877.303.0900

Winner

Unity of Boulder
www.unityofboulder.com
2855 Folsom St., Boulder
303.442.1411


Unity of Boulder is part of a worldwide Christian organization that is more than a century old. “First, on behalf of our Unity Family, I want to thank all the people who voted for our church-center as the Best Place for Worship,” says minister Jack Groveland. “In Boulder Unity we emphasize the True and Divine Self available within all people, regardless of their culture, race, station in life, or particular religious orientation. It’s the same Divine Self whether you name it Krishna, Christ, Buddha, Nature, Tao, God, or Higher Power – or any name you have for unconditional, all-intelligent Love. Thus, the emphasis of our church-center is to help people and children of all ages to access their Divine Self Nature, which will enable them to live successful, joyful, peaceful lives. Try Unity.”

Runner Up

First Presbyterian Church of Boulder
www.fpcboulder.org
2015 Pearl St., Boulder
303.443.3610

Winner

Tans To Go
www.tanstogo.com
1842 30th St., Boulder
303.444.7600

Tans To Go has won the Boulder County Gold People’s Choice Award eight years in a row. Owner Doug Swartz credits his outstanding staff of young women, many of whom have been with him for six, seven and eight years. They are “completely empowered,” he says. “They can do what they need to do so all the customers are satisfied. We need to earn your business so you’ll come here, and then treat you well so you’ll come back. The staff is trained from day one to ask customers what they can do to make the experience better.” Thanks to the success of the business, Swartz says, “We have almost doubled in size this year. We’re adding new equipment and services, and we’re excited about that.” And once again Tans To Go has been selected to sponsor the CU cheerleaders and dance team.

Runner Up

VerandaSun
www.verandasun.com
1670 30th St., Boulder
303.447.8844

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

Terri Takata-Smith, director of marketing for Downtown Boulder, can cite endless possibilities for entertaining kids on the Pearl Street Mall. And she’s talking just about the free stuff. “No cost, and hours of enjoyment,” she says. During hot summer days, the pop-jet fountain on the 1300 block is a huge crowd favorite, and kids can’t resist the cooling spray. Not far, on the 1400 block, is the marble play area involving the oh-so-climbable snail and frog. In the 1200 block outside Peppercorn are rock structures and a bridge for the kids to climb and explore. “Those activities are typical of Boulder,” Takata-Smith notes. “People here love to climb and explore.” On the 1100 block is the “slippery rock,” which attracts kids like a magnet. The famous Pearl Street Mall buskers are spellbinding: There’s Bongo, the balloon artist, who twists balloons into every conceivable shape; and contortionist Mitford Ibashi-i Brown, who unbelievably curls his lanky body into a 20-inch Plexiglass box. The people trains run during the summer between the 1200 and 1400 blocks, Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to noon. Festivals on the Mall – like the Boulder Asian Festival, and the Boulder Jewish Festival – often incorporate kids’ activities. Seasonal events coming up include the Munchkin Masquerade on Thursday, October 29, from 2 to 5 p.m., when little ones trick or treat up and down the Mall. And all ages chime in for the home team at the Pearl Street Stampedes, those let-’em-have-it pep rallies on the Friday nights before Colorado Buffaloes football home games, featuring the Golden Buffalo Marching Band. No wonder kids – and their parents – love hanging out at the Pearl Street Mall.

Runner Up

Gateway Park Fun Center
www.gatewayfunpark.com
4800 N. 28th St., Boulder
303.442.4386

Winner

Humane Society of Boulder Valley
www.boulderhumane.org
2323 55th St., Boulder
303.442.4030

Humane Society of Boulder Valley

Adopting a pet from the Humane Society can be a wonderful experience. But that’s not the only service the Humane Society provides. CEO Lisa Pedersen explains, “Our principal mission is to create healthy relationships between pets and people. One goal of that is adoption; another is to help maintain healthy relationships of people already living with pets. We aim to be the ultimate animal resource in the community: for new pets, in the veterinary clinic, dog training classes, activities and more. We want people with any animal needs to turn to us. Mainly we give shelter. We work on behavior modification with animals before they go into adoption; on the medical side we can provide health care so they can find that forever home.” She noted that adoptions this summer were up over last year. The organization has expanded programs for people in financial need who have pets, helping with pet food and veterinary care. “We’re grateful to the community for support, to our volunteers and to people coming to us for pets,” she says. “It’s a tribute to the way the community values the animals in their lives.”

Runner Up

Eco-Cycle
www.ecocycle.org
5030 Pearl St., Boulder, 303.444.6634
140 Martin St., Longmont, 303.772.7300

Winner

U Store It
www.ustoreit.com
6405 O’Dell Place, Boulder, 303.530.3600
4545 N. Broadway, Boulder, 303.444.7867
5815 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, 303.449.5613
6338 Arapahoe Road, Boulder, 303.245.0388

U Store It

Are you moving? Do you need to clear away clutter? Are you downsizing but still want to know your valuables are safe and secure? U Store It offers stress-free storage solutions across the country that can help you save time and money. Knowledgeable staff can help you to reserve appropriate storage space. A move starts with sturdy moving boxes that will protect your possessions throughout the entire moving and storage process. Storage boxes and all kinds of packing supplies can be purchased at the local U Store It facilities (four in Boulder) or online through the Web site. Online orders can be delivered to you free with a $25 minimum order. At some U Store It sites you can even store a vehicle or boat.

Runner Up

Boulder Bins Self Storage
www.selfstorageboulder.com
4900 N. Broadway, Boulder
303.443.2002

Winner

Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder
www.enhanceyourskin.com
4745 Arapahoe Ave., Suite 130, Boulder
303.558.8800

Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder

Look good and feel good! Laser & Cosmetic Associates of Boulder is owned and operated by local board-certified physicians. They offer medical-grade skin and facial rejuvenation treatments that provide exceptional and lasting results – combining state-of-the-industry laser and non-surgical treatments with facial plastic surgery. Led by Andrew Goldman, M.D., the medical doctors and expert staff combine technology with personalized care to give patients greater levels of satisfaction and confidence in their lives. Treatments include skin resurfacing and acne treatment through skin tightening, chemical peels, medical-grade skin care, light therapy, laser vein treatment, lymphatic massage, facials and more.

Runner Up

Essentiels Spa
www.halcyondayssalonsandspas.com/Essentiels_Spa.asp
2660 Canyon Blvd., Boulder,
303.440.0711