Is all that glitters gold? Here at Yellow Scene, we say all that glitters earns gold. In this year’s Best of the West, we are shining a light on all our top shops, restaurants, businesses, people and places in Boulder and East County. Our blinged-out Critics’ Picks (yes, we said bling) are a tribute to our editorial staff’s wealth of local favorites—the new and old businesses we’ve come to know and adore. Our Readers’ Picks—covering the Republic of Boulder as well as the outlying towns and cities in East Boulder County—cover all the basics and then some. If you want the best, you’ve just struck gold.
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April 2010

Day Spa (E. County)
Sunflower Day Spa, Longmont
You can’t help but relax in Sunflower’s sunny atmosphere. Their professionals help you achieve outstanding skin care and total relaxation. Really, we just need three words: pamper, pamper, pamper.

Day Spa (Boulder)
Essentiels Spa
Clients rave about the Essentiels therapists and technicians, who provide warm, quality service. A locker room, sauna, steam room and lounge complete the experience.

Salon (E. County)
Salon Cosabella, Broomfield
Friendly service in a chic location. The ladies here pride themselves on expert service and a great environment. It’s the place you go when you need a new hue or a few inches taken off.

Salon (Boulder)
Fix Hair Salon
Need a new outlook on life? You might need a
new hair color. Let the specialists at Fix lead you
to the color bar and make you feel like a whole
new person.

Massage (E. County)
Sunflower Day Spa, Longmont
The therapists at Sunflower are amazingly receptive, responsive and professional. Enjoy the ultimate relaxation at their hands.

Massage (Boulder)
St. Julien Hotel & Spa
A beautiful location makes a soothing massage here just that much more enticing. Book a massage…and you may need to book a room for the night because you’ll be so relaxed.

Manicure/Pedicure (E. County)
Sunflower Day Spa, Longmont
Expert technicians and a superbly comfortable, sunny space make a mani/pedi stop at Sunflower a truly indulgent experience.

Manicure/Pedicure (Boulder)
Ten20
Where else can you catch a chick flick while you
get a polish change? At Ten20, they know what
a girl wants.

Aesthetic Treatment Center (E. County)
Aesthetic Solutions Center for Laser and Aesthetic Medicine, Lafayette
With constant changes in technology and technique, it’s easy to get lost in the world of beauty. Aesthetic Solutions can help you find your bearings—with a tender touch and state-of-the-art technology.

Aesthetic Treatment Center (Boulder)
Avanti Skin Center
Whether you’re interested in laser hair removal, skin resurfacing or body sculpting, Avanti Skin Center has dozens of options and their professionals can help you make the right choices for your goals and lifestyle.

Gym (E. County)
Lakeshore Athletic Club, Broomfield
With indoor and outdoor pools, basketball courts, climbing wall, huge, sunlit weight room, spa, deluxe locker rooms and a high-tech cardio center, Lakeshore provides an opportunity to build your muscles while you build your sense of community.

Gym (Boulder)
YMCA
There’s a reason why the YMCA has survived and thrived all these years. On top of the activities, outdoor fun and amenities, there are plenty of ways to get a good work out.

Rec Center (E. County)
Erie Community Center, Erie
Erie’s Community Center has become not just a recreation center—but a flagship for a new kind of town pride. But then again, you can also recreate to your heart’s desire. Pool, climbing wall, spinning classes, and workout equipment are just the beginning.

Rec Center (Boulder)
East Community Center
What makes the East Boulder Community Center the best? Two pools (including a lazy river and 150-foot water slide), weight room, climbing and bouldering walls and child care. Take that, other rec centers!

Martial Arts (E. County)
Vision Quest IBBA, Lafayette
Vision Quest was recognized by Black Belt School International as one of the top 200 U.S. schools, and owner Christopher Spann was awarded teacher of the year by the United Martial Arts Alliance. Awards don’t mean everything, but they do mean a lot.
 
Martial Arts (Boulder)
Trans Martial Arts & Fitness Center
Tran’s is a longtime regional favorite—and their special brand of butt-kicking is taught to young and old, newbie or expert. Go beyond the ordinary with a class in Muay Thai Kick boxing.

Yoga Studio (E. County)
Solar Yoga, Longmont
Hot yoga is, well, hot right now, and Solar Yoga is one of the coolest places around offering this challenging yet relaxing way to sweat it out.
 
Yoga Studio (Boulder)
Core Power Yoga
With five studios in Northern Colorado alone, plus dozens of classes every day in several yoga styles, you’ll likely find something to fit your schedule and style. If not, take up walking.
 
Pilates Studio (E. County)
Happy Cat Pilates, Longmont
Whether you like the dynamics of a group class or the personal attention of one-on-one training, Susie at Happy Cat will have you feeling “as supple as a cat.” Meow!
 
Pilates Studio (Boulder)
Body Dynamics
These legendary health and fitness specialists have been serving Boulder for 20 years not just with Pilates but with complimentary practices including core training, fitball, boot camp, tai-chi and bosu. When the famed athletes of Boulder need to get worked out, they come here.

Chiropractor (E. County)
Dr. Larimore, Longmont
Being in the chiropractic services for 18 years, Dr. Larimore knows his specialty like the joints in the back of his own hand. The man knows his stuff, and by stuff we mean your aching back.

Chiropractor (Boulder)
Café of Life
Get ready to be served a hot steaming cup of wellness when you’re at the Café of Life. Established around the world, they work to spread chiropractics to all types of people—even you.

Personal Training (E. County & Boulder)
Fitness for Living
We have a group of staffers who attend the Fitness for Living boot camps. Not only do they dig the intensity, but they look at a lot better than they used to (thank goodness from the rest of us…we kid).

April 2010

Best place to get a razor cut
De Maj Salon & Spa, Erie
De Maj is Erie’s little island for stylistas. Here, the cuts are stellar and the stylists are ninjas when it comes to the razor cut. It’s nice to know that even in the ‘burbs a good haircut is not far away.

Best place to get your teeth pampered
Artistic Smiles, Longmont
Going to the dentist is about as fun as a root canal (sometimes it is a root canal). But Artistic Smiles focuses on making you smile even when you’re in the dentist’s chair. Here, you can get a full mouth makeover (or just a nice cleaning) and opt for sedation, which is a big plus for us.

Best place to relax and be revived
Sunflower Spa, Longmont
Sunflower Spa is pure feminine luxury. Facials and scrubs and massages galore. No matter the treatment, visitors become in tune with their skin and pores and muscles and nail beds. It’s revival from the toes up.

Best local version of Globogym
Lakeshore, Broomfield
Lakeshore may look intimidating—especially with a monstrous climbing mountain springing up from the weight room floor—but it’s really not so scary. With more fitness and spinning classes than we care to count, like Dodgeball’s Globogym, they can turn “that Frankenstein you see in the mirror every morning into a Franken-fine!”

Best place to feel uptown
Salon Cosabella, Broomfield
This year, Salon Cosabella expanded to new digs in the Arista development—an even cooler spot that’s modern, friendly and hip without a hint of stuffiness. We like it not just because it’s upscale, but because with every hair cut, you take a little bit of that home with you.

April 2010

Bike Shop (E. County)
Bike N Hike, Longmont
Thirty years of bicycle-peddling experience sets this Longmont storefront apart, assuring you’ll get the right bike for you. Plus, the staff makes sure that after the sale is done, your bike still gets you from A to B and back again.

Bike Shop (Boulder)
University Bicycles
This iconic Boulder shop offers performance bikes to buy or rent. Aside from the expected accoutrements, they also offer trips, tours and clinics for riders of all ages and abilities. They can throw this award in the back with the others!

Ski Shop (Boulder & E. County)
Christy Sports, various locations
This has been a company of skiers, by skiers and for skiers for more than 50 years. They’re the largest specialty ski and snowboard retailer and snowsport service specialist in the Rocky Mountain region.
 
Shoe Store (E. County)
Brown’s Shoe Fit, Longmont
Offering exceptional service and loads of selection, Brown’s is a must-shop in downtown Longmont. Here, you’ll find the best-fitting shoes and a crew that know their soles. It’s how East County struts.

Shoe Store (Boulder)
Pedestrian Shop
This shop is a celebration of the Colorado lifestyle: lots of walking, hiking and running. Get outfitted here for your next adventure.

Eyewear (E. County)
Eye Care Center, Longmont
It’s kind of like one-stop shopping for eyecare: not only do they carry a good selection of frames, their doctors can care for your eyes’ every want and need.
 
Eyewear (Boulder)
Wink Optical
Find a look as distinctive as you are by searching the elite selection of frames available at Wink. Plus, you’ll find the best service in the county.

Jewelry (E. County)
Eric Olson, Lafayette
Eric Olson is an artist, and his wearable art is a balance of elegance and organic beauty. And in many ways, it truly reflects the Colorado landscape and lifestyle.

Jewelry (Boulder)
Walters and Hogsett
Approaching its 25th year (most marriages don’t even last that long), Walters & Hogsett is almost as locally beloved as the Flatirons. What’s the secret? Beautifully crafted pieces and an expert staff.

Fashion Boutique for Women (E. County)
Vie Vie Luxe, Louisville
It may be small but it’s mighty. This charming Louisville shop is packed full of great finds: gorgeous jackets, fun jewelry and luscious leather bags.

Fashion Boutique for Women (Boulder)
Chelsea
You just feel a bit more feminine, strong and sexy the moment you step into Chelsea. It just oozes with style. From killer shoes to flowing dresses, this is where Boulder shops for everyday beauty.

Second-hand Clothing (E. County)
Orange Door, Longmont
The hip little Orange Door has a long history; even though, it’s brand new. The upscale consignment shop on Main Street Longmont is the result of decades of retail experience, and it shows.

Second-hand Clothing (Boulder)
Rags Consignment
We love shopping at Rags because it does not feel like we are thrifting (that’s the verb, to thrift). Their stock does not feel second hand, and in return we don’t feel like we are buying second rate.

Old Town (E. County)
Louisville
There’s this great balance of quaint charm and modern splendor in Old Town—and because of the cool cafes, beautiful shops, popular restaurants and bars, it’s hard to resist the allure.

Shopping District (E. County)
Downtown Longmont, Longmont
Woah! An upset! Longmont pulls in front to take the win! From Brown’s to Adorn to Encore, it’s really no surprise that locals dig the retail scene in Longmont, and we’re glad to see some competition.

Shopping District (Boulder)
Pearl Street Mall
What would Boulder be without the Pearl Street Mall? Let’s not even imagine the Republic minus its prized retail and cultural spot, its award-winning restaurants, its hot boutiques and hopping bars. I curse the thought!

Bookstore (E. County)
Borders Bookstore, various locations
We get it, there’s not too many locally owned bookstores to peruse anymore. Plus, Borders is pretty tempting: shelf after shelf after shelf of books, music and movies. You have to admit, they’ve got game.

Bookstore (Boulder)
Boulder Bookstore
Boulder Bookstore not only keeps bookcases stocked, it brings in tons of writers. And if there’s one thing better than reading a book, it’s listening to someone else read a book.

Home Décor (E. County)
Encore, Longmont
When you are redecorating your home or just thinking about decorating your home, Encore offers a burst of inspiration with a blend of sophisticated unique décor and funky home accessories made by local venders. From candles to vases to knick-knacks, they’ll make your home as cool as you want. It’s also perfect for gifts.

Home Décor (Boulder)
HW Home
What’s the neatest part of HW? The owners scour the globe to see what’s hip in global décor and bring the international perspective to you.

Furnishings (E. County)
Woodley’s, Longmont
Woodley’s has crafted a solid reputation—almost as solid as the beautiful hardwood furniture built right here in their Longmont factory.

Furnishings (Boulder)
HW Home
It’s no wonder HW Home is twice victorious in the BOW. With their unique international taste, they beat out the competition single-handedly.

Second-hand Furniture (E. County)
Front Range Mercantile, Longmont
This huge indoor flea market is practically bursting with snazzy antiques, great home furnishings and décor for stellar deals. Plus, it’s just a fun place to explore.

Second-hand Furniture (Boulder)
Clutter Consignment
At Clutter, you pick from the style you like, whether it’s vintage, contemporary, retro or modern. Everything out of this store is super sweet and the inventory changes daily.

Home Improvement (E. County)
Lowe’s, Lafayette
Lowe’s has (literally) built a foundation around being the go-to shop for all the necessary tools to get the job done.

Home Improvement (Boulder)
McGuckin hardware
Need an extra valve for plumbing? Check. Fertilizer for the garden? Got those, too. Crock pot? Oh yeah. This iconic locally owned store has everything you need—everything. And the staff is famous for its attentiveness.

Florist (E. County)
Lafayette Florist, Lafayette
With a 68,000-square-foot greenhouse, the oh so lovely Lafayette Florist is easily accessible for any flower-required situation that comes up. And it’s been doing just that for decades.

Florist (Boulder)
Sturtz & Copeland
Called Fawcett Floral before 1928 (that’s right, 1928), Sturtz & Copeland specializes in more than just serving up bouquets of blossoming flowers. They also focus on pottery and fountains, fertilizers and gardening.

Kids Clothing (E. County)
Naartjie, Broomfield
This South African-based store focuses on using natural fabrics that are brightly colored, uniquely fashionable and totally kid-friendly.

Kids Clothing (Boulder)
Rocky Mountain Kids Clothing
Family owned and operated, this stylish store offers more than 3,500 square feet of adorable kids clothes, shoes and accessories.

Toy Store (E. County)
Crawdaddy Toys, Lafayette
Like a blast from the past, this is the kind of toy store that makes you feel good about getting the kids a treat. And it’s the kind of toy store that makes grown-ups turn into kids…whether your kids like it or not.

Toy Store (Boulder)
Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe
Specializing in educational toys (that also happen to be super fun), this Boulder institution has toys and games for kids of all ages.

Gift Shop (E. County)
Timbalier, Lafayette
Timbalier is East County’s source for gracious, thoughtful, unique gifts. A must-shop for the hard-to-buy-for on your list.

Gift Shop (Boulder)
Paper Doll
A gorgeous gift shop with quirk, this place has pretties for all the ladies in your life as well as fun paper goods and a kids section that will make any young’un’s imagination soar.

Gourmet Cooking Store (E. County)
Cayenne Kitchen, Longmont
The perfect spot to pick up that kitchen gadget you never knew you needed—but now can’t live without. A great stop for foodie gifts as well.

Gourmet Cooking Store (Boulder)
Peppercorn
This is where you go when you need an 8-inch chef’s knife, a set of double old fashioneds or a pound of gourmet coffee; it’s the perfect shop when you need anything for your culinary life. 

Grocery Store
Whole Foods, many locations
Whole Foods is the sunshine on a cloudy day. True, the crowds are a bit nutty, but the bounty of fresh, fabulous food could make a hungry Boulderite fall to their knees with tears of organic joy.

Liquor Store (E. County)
Fox Creek Liquors, longmont
Well, anyplace that touts a giant Great Dane—especially one named Rufus—as their in-store mascot is cool with us. Fox Creek has a stellar reputation, and the dog’s just the beginning. Our readers love their selection and excellent service.

Liquor Store (Boulder)
Liquor Mart
No surprise here. Seriously, Liquor Mart is the go-to place for supplying wine snobs and college students alike. And it has been for years. It’s the most trustworthy shops of satisfying all your drinking wants and needs.

Wine Shop (E. County)
Fox Creek Liquors, Longmont
With an on-staff sommelier, this place is perfect for both budding and veteran winos in the area. And every Friday, Fox Creek hosts a wine tasting that’s practically the toast of the town.

Wine Shop (Boulder)
Boulder Wine Merchant
With so many options, you need a helping hand. At the Wine Merchant, the shopping experience is not complete without some advice from the staff. Counterdependent? Just explore the vast stock and you can’t go wrong (it’s all drinkable).

Musical Instruments (E. County)
Miller Music, Longmont
This Longmont spot is covered from floor to ceiling in instruments. But it’s not just the selection that’s brought swarms of musicians to this storefront since the mid 1970s. It’s the swagger.

Musical Instruments (Boulder)
Robbs Music
We like Robb’s motto: If you are gonna come, be prepared to rock. That’s just how they roll at this Boulder music refuge, where a super skilled staff of salespeople, teachers and repairmen ensure that all your musical needs are met.

Pet Supply Store (E. County)
Struttin Pup, Lafayette
For those of you who think “dog days” are a negative thing, you obviously have never been to Struttin Pup. Here, being a dog is not just nice, it’s pretty freakin’ awesome.

Pet Supply Store (Boulder)
PC’s Pantry
We say dog food should meet the standards of human food, and that’s much of what is dished up at PC Pantry, a dog and cat shop filled with pet toys and tools as well as an array of food finds, including dog birthday cakes.

April 2010

Best grown-up shopping experience
Fuzzy Antler, Louisville
This beautiful downtown shop is bursting with antique European furnishings and décor—like the home of a packrat with great taste. There’s lots to be discovered here, so take your time.

Best kiddo shopping experience
Grandrabbit’s Toy Shoppe, Boulder
Here, joy and giggles pour down from the toy- and game-covered shelves and radiate up from the little smiling faces that dance around this kid metropolis. Grandrabbit’s is a child’s fantasy made real, a place where it’s always playtime.

Best way to waste a Saturday afternoon
Antiquing in Lyons
Before you head to Oskar Blues for a Mama’s Lil Pils and bluegrass, visitors must check out what makes Lyons so special (beyond the beer and the music) by stopping by the Left-Hand Trading Company, spacious and cave-like, and the cozy Ralston Bros. Antiques.

Best shop to support local artists
Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery, Boulder
Coloradan’s have mad skills, and they’re on display at Boulder Arts & Crafts Gallery. The storefront has a massive collection of locally made arts, crafts and wearable creations. Nearing its 40th year, it’s become the preeminent shop to find locally made craftsmanship.

Best shop for girlie shoes
Two Sole Sisters, Boulder
Nancy Sinatra, had she recorded the song today, would likely have switched the lyrics to something like: “if these heels were made for strutting…” Heels are the modern woman’s power shoes, and if you are in need of something feminine, flirty and butt-kicking, you need only step into Two Sole Sisters, where girls really go wild.

Best shop to explore the past
Serendipity, Longmont
Plan a good hour or more when you visit Serendipity, an antique shop that sells everything from vintage bookcases, kitchenware and headboards to clothing and jewelry. Treasures are all around and a good deal is not hard to find.

Best shop for quirky gifts
Madifine Mercantile, Longmont
Madifine Mercantile is an ode to the sassy and the off the wall. Here, you’ll find a smattering of wacky items, from new vintage to the Big Lebowski Urban Achiever Action Figure, which you totally need.

Best shop for girlfriends
Adorn, Longmont
Whether it’s gifts for a diverse armada of bffs or you’re in need of a pretty something to woo a pretty lady, Adorn is filled with jewelry, accessories and decor to match. No matter the woman (except for the leather-and-chains gal), Adorn has something to feather their nests or their wrists.

Best high-end boutique worth every penny
Weekends, Boulder
If you’re gonna drop some cash, do it at Weekends. Whether it’s a killer leather bag, a pair of Seven jeans or a proper blazer, the inventory is as luxe as it is cool. Sometimes you have to pay a price to be a stud.

Best place to buy a tree
CreekSide Tree Nursery, Boulder
What makes CreekSide extraordinary? Well, here, every tree is special. And we don’t mean that in a new-agey, touchy-feely kind of way. CreekSide’s trees are beautiful, unblemished and well nurtured.

Best shop for frills
Elizabeth’s Embellishments, louisville
It’s a little French country, a little shabby chic and a whole lot of pretty things that make women giddy. Everything to embellish your life from bobbles and bedspreads to blouses and baby gifts.

Best place to get bespectacled
Wink, Boulder
Remember when wearing glasses was about as cool as having braces? Times have changed. Especially at Wink, where glasses are not just a means to an end (that end would be seeing), they are the styled, flattering exclamation points on your visage.

Editors Choice: PETS

Best shop for pet pride
Struttin Pup, Lafayette
Started by two rock and roll chicks, Lafayette’s Struttin Pup is as cool as a pet shop gets. From plush beds to all sorts of fun, funky collars and leashes to natural pet food to a DIY doggie bath, this place truly rocks.

Best local Cesar Millan
Two Bears Dog Training, Lafayette
Two Bears use a cornucopia of training techniques, helping dog and owner create a foundation of communication. Still can’t decide whether it’s human training or dog training.

Best way to Exhaust rover
Healthy Bone, Erie
We love Chris McCandless and his Healthy Bone adventure hikes because he lets dogs be dogs, reminding our four-legged friends that they are all canine and helping to work out their domestication frustrations.

April 2010