2017 Best of the West: Readers’ Choice Retail and Services

Our readers have spoken: They love these BoCo retailers and services.

Day Spa

(EC) Spavia
Another all-around win for Spavia’s luxury oasis away from it all.

(B) St. Julien
Premium spa services with patio views of the Flatirons help seal the deal.

Facial/ Massage

(EC) (B) Spavia
Spavia members often alternate between massages and facials, and it seems they love both. Signature facials are tailored to skin type, with options for a deep cleanse or skin renewal. Whether it’s a full massage for relaxing or recovery, they have the Midas touch.

Salon/Barber

(EC) Salon Picasso

A return winner, Lafayette’s reliable — and reasonably priced — space for men’s and women’s cuts.
(B) Voodoo Hair Salon
The stylists here have a reputation for incorporating customers desires and inspiration photos into fresh haircuts.

Manicure

(EC) Salon Picasso
Manis start at $15, but why not upgrade for a gel or shellac. Treat yo’self!

(B) ten20
Comfy chairs, some fun TV shows and some polishes to take home with you.

Auto Repair

(EC) Stonum Automotive
From brakes and alignment to a little body work this is a Longmont go-to shop for maintenance and repair.

(B) Super Rupair
This place has the necessary spare parts get more miles out of your old Sube.

Chiropractor

Chiropractic Center of Erie
A six-time winner, this practice has built a reputation by relieving pain, and offers treatment plans for long-term wellness with 15- and 30-minute sessions.

Lawyer

Hartney Law
A six-time winner, Hartney provides estate and family legal services as a team, and often at a flat rate. There’s also a complimentary 3-year estate planning review.

Veterinarian

Jasper Animal Hospital
Check-ups, dentistry and emergency services. They also provide a lot of services to the community; helping unidentified injured animals and low-cost help for rescue organizations.

Politician

Jared Polis
Readers don’t include their reasoning, but Polis worked across the aisle to co-sponsor The Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act of 2016, which put a $646B assessment on outdoor related industries. When it comes to politics, hefty price tags and the creation of 6 million jobs carries more weight than Nature (which is priceless).

Private School

Dawson School
Parents love Dawson because of its holistic education philosophy, which includes exposing kids to arts, athletics and experiences outside the classroom.

Public School

Boulder HS
A public school with dozens of AP courses; it’s built a reputation for academic scholarship and social activism. The school itself is also a beautiful example of Art Deco built by the WPA.

Shoe Store

(EC) Browns
That rare chain that allows for local retailers to tailor selections, and so the Longmont store offers season-appropriate hikers, heels and sneakers. The selection is worth driving in from afar.

(B) Pedestrian Shops
The fact that you can search the website by use tells you they can outfit you for sidewalk struts or surefooted trail runs. There’s even a vegan selection.

Eyewear

(EC) Eagle Vision
Its friendly and highly accredited optometrists and deep selection of services, glasses, cases, and contact lenses will have you seeing 20/20 in no time.

(B) Aspen
Aspen Eyewear is an award-winning establishment with an unprecedented selection of fashionable spectacles, whether you need a prescription filled, your eyes checked or you’re just browsing for a new pair of frames.

Jewelry

Eric Olson
Boulder County’s first certified master jeweler crafts one-of-a-kind pieces that are both functional and dazzling, effectively embodying the city of Boulder itself.

Women’s Fashion Boutique

(EC) (tie)

Eleanor
This collection understands BoCo women. From denim to dresses, the attire is chic, yet practical enough to wear in day-to-day life.

Boulder Body Wear
This go-to for dancewear keeps the athleisure look fashionable and comfortable. Everything here is soft, durable and quality.

(B) Barbara & Company
A high-fashion boutique with a curated selection that allows you to mix brands and a constant stream of new arrivals to keep you checking back for more.

Consignments

(EC) Fabulous Finds
This upscale shop is one of east county’s first stops when looking for that new dress or blouse, but sets itself apart with the size 16+ selections.

(B) Rags to Riches
A fresh inventory attracts readers to revisit for in-season, barely-worn, fashion pieces.

Old Town

Louisville
Still the model for the East County boom town, its vibrant Old Town eateries and shops draw from Boulder and neighboring cities alike.

Shopping District

(EC) Village at The Peaks
This open-air mall makes the list for its shopping, but we think readers love all the outdoor seating and activities between the shops.

(B) Pearl St. Mall
Small businesses are alive and kicking among the big name tenants; the mall is a worthy destination for more than window shopping and people watching.

Book Store

(EC) Book Cellar
This indie Louisville shop is well regarded for its antiquarian selection, with a good stock of rare and out of print books. They’re up-to-date with the current trends, too, in case the appeal of a first edition Gravity’s Rainbow is lost on you.

(B) Boulder Book Store
Like walking around Hogwarts; it has a luring capability to keep us wandering every turn and staircase of its three floors. Beyond its vast selection of new and used books, weekly events like author readings and children’s story time make it a community hub.

Furniture

(EC) Concepts Furniture and Accessories
Lots of sleek and functional pieces with a knowledgeable staff to help accommodate your decorative desires.

(B) Clutter Consignment
A fresh addition to your interior design can out date another. That’s when it’s time to take the oddball to Clutter Consignment, or maybe find a replacement that better fits your new style.

Home Improvement

(EC) Jax Mercantile
Drywall, plumbing and electrical wares fill the aisles, and there are new appliances should it be time to move on.

(B) McGuckin Hardware
It’s full of tubes and gaskets and bobbers and other little pieces to help you repair instead of replace. There’s gardening supplies and a home brew department, too, which is our kind of home improvement.

Florist

(EC) Lafayette Florist
A perennial favorite, the cut flowers are grown on-site with a deep selection to choose from. The massive greenhouse is a destination in itself.

(B) Sturtz & Copeland
Beyond the FTD bouquets Sturtz & Copeland offers its own line of arrangements. They also sell house plants for different light conditions and of course those ever-delicate orchids. Don’t worry, they’ll tell you how to keep green things alive, whether or not you do is up to you.

Kids Store

Grandrabbit’s
Full of smart toys, puzzles and even play clothes, adults will be jealous they didn’t get these as kids. This is your local source for wonder and fun.

Gift Shop

(EC) Purple Poppy
This is East County’s one-stop shop for all things that smell good and exemplify elegance at an affordable price.

(B) Bliss
In an age of homogeneous chain stores like Target and Walmart, Bliss lives up to its name with a wide range of gifts (for tourists and locals alike).

Grocer

King Soopers
Until Thanksgiving, when searching for items to put on a mixed specialty cheese tray, I never took time to appreciate that King Soopers isn’t just a grocery store; it is a fresh market with all the conveniences of a typical grocery store. Beyond its specialty and organic items, King Soopers offers full grocery delivery, and free online ordering.

Liquor/Wine Store

(EC) Wyatt’s Wet Goods
This relative newcomer stocks all kinds of spirits, but beer lovers are drawn to the 59 cooler doors with plenty of specialty brews. Check their weekly specials before you head in.

(B) Hazel’s
A wide open warehouse of wine, spirits and beer; Hazel’s has a knowledgeable staff to advise based on taste or servings.

Musical Instruments

(EC) Lafayette Music
Known for its expansive sheet music collection, it provides instruments and the occasional instruction, too.

(B) Robb’s Boulder Music
String instruments are their bailiwick; you’ll be over the rainbow with their ukulele selection.

Pet Supply

(EC) Struttin’ Pup
The luxury of choosing between healthy options for your pet, buying chewy bones and antlers in bulk and some quality accessories from leashes to winter coats.

(B) Only Natural Pet
This is a health store for pets, with high protein or even paleo-inspired diets that match your companion’s natural diet. The folks at Only Natural read the ingredients and verify brands live up to their healthful boasts, so you don’t have to worry about a recalled dog chew made of toxic materials.