LOCAL'S CHOICE 2008

By Stina Sieg

Post Independent Staff

There’s something about stepping into Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar that just makes you feel swankier. The atmosphere is friendly and homespun — but with a touch of class. Right in the heart of downtown, it draws locals and tourist alike.

This year, its full bar, extensive appetizer and seafood menu help it top two Local’s Choice categories. The occasional life music, which runs the gamut from blues to rock, probably didn’t hurt, either. One of the valley’s most well-known jazz players, Walt Smith, frequently provides tune to shmooze and dance to.

All together, this is the best place around the socialize and bring a first date — according to you.

Best Place to Bring a First Date

Silver: The Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub

Bronze: Glenwood Caverns

Best Place to Socialize

Silver: The Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub

Bronze: Rivers Restaurant

Best Smile

If you know Becky Oberholzer, then you know what a great smile looks like.

Silver: Tonya Nieslanik

Bronze: Cece Zumwinkle

Best Cowboy

No surprise here — Garfield County Commissioner John Martin has been recognized for his cowboy spirit several years running. Even if you’re not into local politics, surely you’ve seen this fella. He’s usually about town in a cowboy hat, cowboy shirt and cowboy boots. His horses, however, are usually cooling their hooves at home.

Silver: Will Michlick

Bronze: Bill McMillan

Best Local Couple

Gold: Trevor Ryan and Mija Holzmann

Silver: Jo and Ted Diaz

Bronze: Mike and Lynn Stickler

Best Cowgirl

Gold: Angela Sampels

Silver: Holly McLain

Bronze: Julie Cotton

Best Teacher

A local painter, Judy Milne is always trying to bring a creative spark to the classroom. In her decade or so of teaching, she has instructed at Valley View Hospital’s Early Learning Center, and is now the director at Colorado Mountain College Children’s Mini College. She loves to do art projects with her little students, who she calls “amazing artists.” A Roaring Fork Valley resident since 1969, she’s lived in Carbondale since 1980.

Silver: Christine Sullivan

Bronze: Diane Kreig

Best Politician

Once again, Colorado native Trési Houpt topped the politician pool. A Glenwood resident for a shade over a decade, Houpt is currently a Garfield County Commissioner. She’s known for close work with oil and gas outfits, as well as her concerns with housing, transportation and environmental issues. She’s kept busy with innumerable professional boards and committees, as well her love for all things outdoorsy. She’s been married for 25 years to her husband, Jeff, and they have two sons, Sam and Frank.

Silver: John Martin

Bronze: Bruce Christensen

Best Local Nonprofit

At its heart, Catholic Charities is all about the basics. Located in downtown Glenwood Springs, the non-profit seeks to provide people of all ages, religions and cultures with food, clothing and shelter. According to director Tom Ziemann, the non-profit helps between 1340-1450 unduplicated households each year. About half are helped through immediate financial crises. The group also deals with immigrants services, including mediation, advocacy work, family reunification and visa assistance. Other programs include legislative advocacy and help with low-income housing. Adoption services were also just expanded to Glenwood Springs, including Russian and Chinese adoptions.

Silver: LIFT-UP

Bronze: YouthZone

Best Place to Find a Date

Love might only be one long, hot soak away. The Hot Springs Lodge and Pool is not only a place for families to relax, but it’s also got one of the most varied social scenes around. You might just find that special someone splashing next to you. Come on — jump in. The water’s fine.

Silver: Glenwood Canyon Brew Pub

Bronze: The Winchester Nite-Club

Best Post Independent News Story

Locals were most impressed with the PI’s coverage of illegal immigration issues.

Silver: Dog/rancher conflicts

Bronze: Snow Coverage

ARTS & CULTURE

By Stina Sieg

Post Independent Staff

Don Paine, the leader of the Last Minute String Band, described his music like this, “It’s old-time, traditional — and that usually takes some describing itself.”

Yeah, it’s hard to put to words all the band does.

With a constantly evolving cast of acoustic players, it can be seen all over the place, from private parties to Glenwood’s Downtown Market to the Hotel Colorado.

From October through June, it’s providing the wholesome, driving beat behind the Community Contra Dance, too. A real down-home get-together, the monthly folk dance draws contra lovers from all over the Western Slope.

Most often, the String Band can be heard strumming and plucking away on Paine’s porch. He and his wife, April, truly are the core of the group.

And while it might be hard to exactly describe the their sound to someone who’s never heard it, one thing’s for certain.

It sure is beloved around here.

Silver: EOS

Bronze: Soul Feel

Best Radio Station

Gold: KMTS

Silver: KDNK

Bronze: KSPN

Best Local Attraction

The Hot Springs Lodge and Pool is one hot spot (literally) on which locals and tourists alike agree. Who doesn’t love the hot water, the sweet slide, that lingering smell of sulfur in your swimming trunks? Without a doubt, this steamy springs is one reason why Glenwood is on the map.

Silver: Glenwood Caverns

Bronze: Yagatta Regatta

Best Local Event

Dubbed the “oldest festival west of the Mississippi,” Strawberry Days is three days of people, music, games and — of course — free strawberries and ice cream. This June, it entered its 111th year of celebration, but it doesn’t seem to be showing its age. Its parade, car show, carnival and music acts looked as lively as if they were just 94.

Silver: Summer of Jazz

Bronze: Mountain Fair

Best Art Gallery

Based in Carbondale and Glenwood Springs, the Main Street Gallery has been bringing fine art to the valley for 26 years. Gallery goers can see a mix of local and artists, including Dean Bowlby, Mary Noone and Russel Chatham. Periodically, the spaces will hold receptions, spotlighting the talent hanging their walls.

Silver: Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs Campus

Bronze: The Glenwood Springs Center for the Arts

Best Local Artist

Once again, Mary Noone has crushed her artistic competitors with the ease of moving her paintbrush. Her loose, colorful paintings depict the local scenery.

Silver: Dan Sprick

Bronze: Dean Bowlby

Best Local Photographer

For the last decade, Kelley Cox has been capturing this area in her lens. With her gentle style, the Post Independent photographer has depicted football games, local wildlife, lemonade stands — everything that makes up the daily fabric of valley life. In her words, “I’m in constant pursuit of enlightened imperfection.”

Silver: Kara Pearson

Bronze: Stina Sieg

OUTDOOR & SPORTS

Best Golf Course

Lakota Canyon Ranch Golf Club in New Castle remains the locals favorite place to hit the links. For the fourth year in-a-row Lakota Canyon drew a large number of locals to its greens and has become a favorite among front-rangers coming over for a round of golf.

“One of the best things about this course is from every tee box you get the ‘wow’ factor,” said PGA director of golf at Lakota Canyon, Tom Underwood. “Each hole is very different with something special on each one.”

Along with being a four-time locals choice Gold medal recipient, Lakota Canyon is ranked in the top 100 of public course by Golf Digest while still allowing locals to play for a reasonable price.

“We provide, what I feel is a fantastic golf course that everyone of any level can have fun with,” Underwood said. “It’s a fun day for people.”

Silver: Rifle Creek Golf Course

Bronze: Ironbridge Gold Course

Best Place to Camp

Flattops Wilderness area provides campers with more than 235,035 acres of scenic bliss. With rolling meadows, beautiful wildflowers and acre upon acre of wilderness, the area located in the White River National Forest to the north of Glenwood Springs is a camping enthusiast’s dream.

Silver: Rifle Falls

Bronze: Rifle Gap

Best Place to Hike

Hanging Lake is the locals choice for the best hike in the county for yet another year. The dazzling and majestic turquoise colored lake at the end of the trial hangs on the walls of the Glenwood Canyon. Along with two water falls and breath taking views, it’s easy to understand why this short, but somewhat strenuous hike, is still the locals favorite.

Silver: Grizzly Creek

Bronze: Rifle Falls

Best Outing with Kids

The Hot Springs Pool and Lodge seems to be keeping up with the families in the area. Once again, Glenwood’s year-round tourist destination captured the locals choice gold medal.

Silver: Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park

Bronze: Sunlight Ski Resort

Best Sunlight Run

Joslin is arguably the most diverse run at Sunlight Mountain Resort. Joslin provides enough slope for a fun-fast cruiser, or can be relaxing enough for a smooth slow midday run.

Silver: Ute

Bronze: Primo

Best Local Rafting Company

For 34 years, Whitewater Rafting LLC has been providing locals with safe and deathly-thrilling adventures on the rivers around Glenwood. It’s no wonder they received yet another locals choice award for best rafting company.

Silver: Blue Sky Rafting

Bronze: Rock Gardens Rafting

Best Local Fishing Guide

As if two years in a row wasn’t impressive enough, Bruce Stolbach, cast his way to his third victory as the locals best fishing guide.

Silver: Chandler Roth

Bronze: Adam Hansen

FOOD & DRINK

By Pete Fowler

Post Independent Staff

Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse won the gold Locals Choice awards for Best Steak Dinner and Best Salad.

The downtown restaurant got a full plate of awards this year, also taking bronze in the lunch special, dinner special and American cuisine categories. Owners David and Cece Zumwinkle, who’ve long worked in the restaurant business, opened Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse about nine years ago and named it in honor of their daughter Lucy.

“It’s a classic steakhouse and we do great fresh fish,” Cece Zumwinkle said.

Juicy Lucy’s also serves up dishes with chicken and elk. But steak and seafood are the main course.

“I think probably the biggest seller is the New York steak,” Zumwinkle said of the steak selection. “We cook it just right.”

The restaurant makes unique salads and creates its own dressings. One of the more popular is the Seventh Street Salad, an organic spring mix with strawberries and gorgonzola. Juicy Lucy’s adds honey roasted walnuts that are roasted there on site plus a honey poppy seed dressing. Customers also seem to really like the classic Caesar salad, among other choices.

Juicy Lucy’s is in the process of expanding into the next-door space formerly occupied by the Maple Table. Possibly done this winter, Juicy Lucy’s plans to knock down the wall and move the current bar into the extra space. The expansion should add both a bit more seating and more space for the bar.

Best steak dinner

Silver: Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar

Bronze: Riviera Supper Club

Best salad

Silver: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company

Bronze: Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar

Best Restaurant in Silt

Silt residents have hit the gold mine with the Miner’s Claim restaurant. It won gold this year.

Silver: Steffie’s Place

Bronze: Pizza Pro

Best Restaurant in New Castle

The Elk Creek Mining Company got the gold for New Castle restaurants. The restaurant serves barbecue baby back ribs, steak, seafood, burgers, pasta, chicken, vegetarian dishes and more in a restored 1890s building.

Silver: New Castle Diner

Bronze: Hogback Pizza

Best Restaurant in Glenwood Springs

Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar is a casual contemporary grill featuring creative appetizers, mouthwatering steaks, seafood and pasta. It has a stylish decor and occasionally live music.

Silver: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company

Bronze: Riviera Supper Club

Best Restaurant in Parachute

Former Denver Bronco wide receiver Vance Johnson opened VJ’s Outlaw Ribbs in January 2007. His longtime friend from Kansas City started as the head chef and VJ’s is still cooking up the finger-lickin’ ribs.

Silver: White Buffalo

Bronze: El Tapatio

Best Restaurant in Rifle

Sammy’s Restaurant in Rifle is doing something right as it won this top award again this year.

Silver: WingNutz Bar and Grill

Bronze: Rib City Grill

Best Restaurant in Carbondale

Russets serves quality food with an international flair. They’ve got everything from pistachio-crusted goat cheese to apple cider brined pork chops, steaks and seafood.

Silver: White House Pizza

Bronze: Village Smithy

Best Restaurant in Basalt/El Jebel

Upvalley folks like to start the day at Basalt’s American Breakfast Café. It won gold this year plus the best breakfast special award.

Silver: Crave

Bronze: Bella Mia

Best Breakfast Special

Gold: American Breakfast Café

Silver: Rosi’s Bavarian

Bronze: 19th Street Diner

Best Lunch Special

The Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company’s menu is based on American cuisine, but the restaurant offers many other choices too.

Silver: Daily Bread

Bronze: Juicy Lucy’s

Best Dinner Special

Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar also won gold for best dinner special. Check out the restaurant’s Moroccan Swordfish or New York steak.

Silver: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company

Bronze: Juicy Lucy’s

Best Bakery

Daily Bread is the local’s favorite for delicious baked goods. It’s also a popular breakfast and lunch spot.

Silver: City Market

Bronze: Rosi’s Bavarian

Best Bar

People can sit around the stylish bar at Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar’s and sip top-notch martinis. The bar is offering live music Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Silver: Doc Holliday’s

Bronze: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company

Best Happy Hour

Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar also won best happy hour.

Silver: Roxy

Bronze: Rivers Restaurant

Best Family Restaurant

The Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company is a Glenwood Springs landmark. Locals Choice voters say it’s the best place to bring the family.

Silver: Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar

Bronze: Chili’s

Best Patio

There’s no better patio to pass the time on along the Roaring Fork River than the one at Rivers Restaurant.

Silver: Columbine Restaurant

Bronze: Tequila’s

Best Mexican Restaurant

Tequila’s serves excellent Mexican food and killer margaritas. The restaurant also has a spacious outdoor seating area.

Silver: Fiesta Guadalajara

Bronze: Dos Hombres

Best Italian Restaurant

Italian Underground wins this award yet again. The old-Italy themed underground restaurant and great food makes for a unique dining experience.

Silver: Florindo’s

Bronze: Peppo Nino’s

Best Asian Restaurant

JH Chen’s is the place for sushi, sake and other dishes.

Silver: Zhengs

Bronze: China Town

Best American Cuisine

The Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company wins another award. Opened in 1996, the spot offers everything from nachos and burgers to salmon and steaks.

Silver: Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar

Bronze: Juicy Lucy’s Steakhouse

Best Coffee

Locals Choice voters picked the international Starbucks Coffee Company for the best coffee.

Silver: Summit Canyon Coffee House

Bronze: Sacred Grounds

Best Margarita

Tequila’s serves a margarita to be reckoned with. It won the award again this year.

Silver: Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar

Bronze: Fiesta Guadalajara

Best Pizza

Where can you get the roundest and most tasty Italian dish? Russo’s Pizza.

Silver: Uncle Pizza

Bronze: White House Pizza

Best Burger

Not only did Charcoal Burger win the best burger battle in Glenwood Springs, it’s also a drive in.

Silver: Glenwood Canyon Brewing Company

Bronze: Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar

Best Ice Cream

Marble Slab scooped up this award again.

Silver: The Chocolate Moose

Bronze: KaleidoScoops

Best Chips and Salsa

Besides the best margarita, Tequila’s won the gold for best chips and salsa around.

Silver: Fiesta Guadalajara

Bronze: Dos Hombres

TRAVEL & TOURISM

By John Gardner

Post Independent Staff

Best Spa

Patsy Steele has owned the Yampah Spa and Salon for about 18 years, but the location first opened with just the vapor caves in 1892. It had several different owners and has been a spa for over 100 years.

“It’s one of the very oldest spas in Colorado,” Steele said.

It features the vapor caves, which are natural steam baths, plus a full service spa and salon. The Yampah Spa and Salon offers massages, herbal wraps, body mud packs and scrubs of all kinds. There are private rooms for mineral baths. The Aveda beauty salon there offers manicures, pedicures, hair cuts and colors, facials and other services. The spa orders ingredients for each spa treatment and prepares them individually rather than getting them out of bottles and jars, Steele said.

“All of our treatments are pure, natural treatments that are individually prepared for each person,” Steele said. “So it’s nice and fresh and the body knows that.”

Silver: Splendor Mountain Spa

Bronze: Allure

Best Hotel

The historic Hotel Colorado has accommodated all kinds of guests ranging from U.S. presidents Teddy Roosevelt and William Howard Taft to gangster Al Capone and the Unsinkable Molly Brown. The Hotel Colorado continues to be a top-notch establishment and landmark of Glenwood Springs.

Silver: Hot Springs Lodge

Bronze: Hotel Denver

Best Bed and Breakfast

The Four Mile Creek Bed and Breakfast was again voted best bed and breakfast. The B&B serves a full breakfast every morning. Guests get to roast marshmallows for s’mores and watch old westerns in the top of a barn. Plus there’s goats, llamas, a creek, a pond, a gift shop, a folk art museum and a 30-year-old swing.

Silver: Lavender and Thyme

Bronze: None

Best Massage

The Yampah Spa and Salon, winner of the Best Spa award, also won gold for the best massage category.

Silver: Splendor Mountain Spa

Bronze: A-1 Chinese Health Care Massage

PROFESSIONAL

Best Business Mascot

Vicki Lee Green Realtors have more than one reason to celebrate their mascot, Hunter. Not only was the golden retriever locals choice for best business mascot, the pup just celebrated his third birthday (in human years) on Sunday, June 22. All the more reason for Hunter, and his colleagues, to smile.

“If he doesn’t come to work he gets depressed,” said Mariette Purdy of Vicki Lee Green. “He is just an awesome dog.”

Hunter’s human companion is co-owner and broker of VLG, Michelle James, who is also the locals choice for best Real Estate Agent. Purdy said that James began bringing Hunter to work with her when she first got the pup. And since then, nearly three years ago, he’s been a staple at the office.

“If he can’t come he hangs his head,” Purdy said. “But when he’s here, Hunter thinks that anyone that comes into the office is here just to see him.”

Despite being nearly allergic to “most everything” Purdy said, Hunter’s favorite treats are EVO Dog Treats. And with several toys scattered throughout the office, it doesn’t seem that he’s got one favorite.

“It’s hard to say if he has a favorite toy,” Purdy said. “He likes them all.”

But his best trick is the fact that he brings James a copy of the Post Independent each morning before they go to work.

“After that he pretty much hangs out all day here at the office,” Purdy said.

Looks like Hunter bagged the perfect job.

Silver: Julie at Fins

Bronze: Pumpkin at Splendor Mountain Spa

Best Local Police Officer:

He’s got the look, the personality and he’s got a history as the locals choice for best local police officer. It’s Batman. No, it’s a super hero in a red cape. No, it’s Glenwood Springs Police Chief Terry Wilson.

Silver: Guy Ryan

Bronze: Rifle Police Chief Daryl Meisner

Best Local Firefighter

Captain Chad Harris has been serving Glenwood Springs for eight years now. A captain since 2005, he spends some of his off-days as a part-time firefighter in Rifle. His Glenwood fire fighting buddies described him as a strong leader, a good family man and an avid outdoorsman. The other thing about Chad is that he’s a huge baseball fan, and just like the color of the fire truck, his allegiance also resides with the color red — the Red Sox, that is.

Silver: Jess Hood

Bronze: Doug Trauger

Best Dentist

Last year’s best dentist, Dr. John Murray, now splits the award with his pops, Dr. Robert Murray. It probably won’t be too hard for them to share the accolade, though. They already share an office. Murray, the elder, has 32 years of experience under his belt, while the younger Murray is beginning

his fifth.

Silver: Dr. Jim Setterburg

Bronze: Dr. Eugene Covello

Best Doctor

Dr. David Lorah reached the gold medal this year as the locals choice for best local doctor. The family practitioner at Valley View Hospital was a bronze recipient in last year’s category.

Silver: Dr. Christian Mauer

Bronze: Dr. Robert Brokering

Best Chiropractor

Dr. Dave Jensen knows how to ease pain. The back specialist is a two-time gold medal recipient as Glenwood’s best local chiropractor. Keep crackin’ doc.

Silver: Dr. Steve Spevere

Bronze: Dr. Bill Alfini

Best Veterinarian

Dr. Peter Langegger and his staff at Divide Creek Animal Hospital know how to keep the valley’s pets happy and healthy. The good doctor has been open for business for 4 years, and it’s no wonder that he and his staff were the locals choice for this years best local veterinarian.

Silver: Gentle Friends Veterinary Hospital

Bronze: All Dogs and Cats

Best Real Estate Agent

Michelle James has been selling real estate for Vicki Lee Green Realtors since 1993 and became a co-owner, alongside Tonya Green-Nieslanik, in 2004. She’s been a top producer for the local real estate company for several years and it’s no wonder that she is the locals choice gold medal recipient as this years best local agent.

Silver: Jean Edmonds

Bronze: Amy Leutke and Donna Fell

Best Lawyer

Don Kaufman seems to be the guy to get you out of a tight spot. He’s the gold medal recipient for the best lawyer around, two years running.

Silver: Walter Brown

Bronze: Greg Greer

Best Waiter/Waitress

Leanne Coelho knows what her guests at Fin’s like — great service. And she’s proven herself as the locals choice for best waitress in town.

Silver: Daniel Enos at Juicy Lucy’s

Bronze: Dottie Walker at Italian Underground

BEST MECHANIC Name: James Holmbeck Favorite aspect of your job? I like solving problems. Being a mechanic is like being an investigator, it’s like solving a mystery. How long have you been a mechanic? I’ve been a mechanic since I was 21. (He is currently 49). What was your first car? 1970 Ford Bronco. What do you drive now? A vintage ’63 dodge truck and a 1981 BMW 320i. What is the most important tool in your tool box? Volt meter. It’s used for checking continuity of wires, a car’s voltage and sensors. It’s useful, front to rear of the car. Favorite vehicle to work on? None, they are all problems. Best way to clean your hands after a hard day’s work? Wear surgical type gloves as much as you can and it’s not as much of a problem.

Best Bartender

Along with Coelho, Patti Boas has a knack for making patrons feel warm and welcome down at Fins. She took home a gold medal as well this year, for best local bartender. Come on down for a tall-cool one.

Silver: Trevor Ryan (He’s also a winner in the Best Couple category)

Bronze: Michael Heller at Juicy Lucy’s

Best Mechanic

James Holmbeck

Silver: Duffy’s Garage

Bronze: Guy Hathaway

Best Hairdresser

Maureen Maznio of MoHair, New Castle’s longtime hairstylist, clipped, dyed and styled her way to the gold in this year’s choice for best hairdresser.

Silver: Heather Smith

Bronze: Aly @ Paradise Spa.

BEST BARTENDER Q & A with Patti Boas, bartender at Fin’s Grille and Raw Bar Name: Patti Boas Occupation: Bartender at Fin’s Grille at Raw Bar Years of bartending: 15 Describe the atmosphere at Fins. Fine dining and friendly. It’s very fun. There’s a lot of locals that visit us, and we have a lot of tourists that come here as well. We get it all. What drink do you like to make the most? A martini. Can you tell what kind of drink people are going to order before they do? I can. First of all, I know a lot of people, so I know what they want to drink. And to some degree, you can guess what they drink right off the bat. In your profession, do you find that people open up you? To some degree. You spend time talking to people. They tell you about their problems. I try to give them a little bit of advice, try not to steer them into too much trouble. Alcohol creates a more relaxed atmosphere, and they tell some things they wouldn’t normally tell. What’s something everybody should try at Fin’s? Everybody needs to try the mussels at Fin’s. There’s a lot things I would choose for that category. Maybe I should say the mussels and the ahi tuna. I think we, far and wide, have the best appetizer selection in town.

SERVICE

By Phillip Yates

Post Independent Staff

Best Oil Change

The goal is to offer a variety of services. That seems to have customers keep coming back to the Pit Stop Auto Care Center over and over again. It might be the reason why area residents have deemed the Pit Stop Auto Care Center as the Locals Choice for Best Oil Change and Best Car Wash.

“As far as cars, we do everything pretty much bumper to bumper, except for body work and paint,” said Steve Kyle, owner and manager of the business.

Kyle said his business offers car detailing and quick lubes, along with full-time mechanics to spot problems with residents’ vehicles. It also sells tires and replaces windshields.

“It is a pretty complete, one-stop shop,” he said. “People drop off cars all the time to have several items done at once and then pick it up at the end of the day.”

Receiving accolades from the community for the quality of service his business is “a wonderful thing,” Kyle said. He said those plaudits come from a focus on customer service and the convenience his business affords.

“We have some great customers,” he said. “We are pretty happy and pretty fortunate to have good customers like we do.”

Silver: Grease Monkey

Bronze: Bighorn Toyota

Winner of the silver in Best Car Wash category was Glenwood Carwash-Conoco, with bronze going to Buggy Works II in Carbondale.

Best Travel Agency

Gold: Springs Travel Service

Silver: Sunshine Travel

Bronze: Glenwood Travel King

Best Real Estate Agency

One value represents what the business strives for: Trust. Vicki Lee Green Realtors have been exemplifying that value to their clients since 1983.

The company’s Web site says that over 80 percent of its business comes from referrals.

“ We're proud of this accomplishment and we attribute it to our unwavering commitment to client satisfaction and customer service,” the site said. “This could also be why we've been voted the "Locals' Choice" for best real estate company time and time again since 1999. We've worked hard to earn our clients' trust and we'll do everything we can to earn yours, as well.”

Silver: Property Shop

Bronze: Mason & Morse

Best Financial Services

The Alpine Bank has 32 locations on the Western Slope of Colorado and it serves about 100,000 customers. The locally owned and operated bank has been serving area residents for more than 30 years.

“Because we are not a national banking chain, we have the ability to be flexible in creating solutions for customers that do not fit your typical approach,” according to the company’s Web site. “Our size and streamlined organizational structure enables us to react quickly to the needs of our customers.”

Silver: American National Bank

Bronze: Barbara Andre, CPA

Best Insurance Agency

The jingle rings true in Glenwood: Like a good neighbor, State Farm of Glenwood Springs is there, according to local residents, who make the local agency their choice for their insurance needs.

Silver: Glenwood Insurance Agency

Bronze: Neil-Garing Insurance

Best Print/Copy Shop

The Print Works

Silver: Gran Farnum Printing & Publishing

Bronze: Copy Copy

Best Body Shop

Professional Auto Body and Frame has been offering full-service auto body, alignments, frame and mechanical repairs for local residents for almost three decades. Glenwood Springs residents say they’re tops.

Silver: Berthod Motors

Bronze: Bighorn Toyota

Best Gas Station

Bradley Petroleum in Glenwood Springs is the one gas station that you always have to wait in line at. Driving along Grand Avenue you can understand why. The small little gas station usually has the lowest gas prices in town.

Silver: Jimmy’s 66

Bronze: Glenwood Shell

Best Healthcare Provider

Glenwood Medical Associates’ focus is on “caring for you and your family in a friendly, welcoming, compassionate environment,” according to it’s Web site.

The healthcare provider specializes in family physicians, internal medicine, gastroenterology and cardiology. It also accepts walk-ins, have weekend hours and have some Spanish-speaking staff.

Silver: Valley View Hospital

Bronze: Mountain Family Health Centers

Best Pet Groomer

The Shaggy Dog picks up another Locals Choice nod. Area residents prefer taking their pets to this local business. It has been helping dogs, cats and other furry friends look good for almost two decades.

Silver: Dapper Doggie Doos

Bronze: PetCo

Best Internet Provider

Make it eight for Sopris Surfer. The Internet service provider has previously been awarded the Locals Choice award seven times, and earned the accolade again this year.

The company provides technical support, dial-up, high-speed DS3, T1, DSL, Wireless Internet access, and hosting infrastructure. It is the single largest employer of local Internet professionals in the Roaring Fork Valley, and “has a proven track record as an Internet service provider serving the needs of customers from Aspen to Rifle and areas throughout the Western Slope,” according to its website.

Silver: Rof.net

Bronze: Comcast

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY Who: Laurie Sweeney, travel agent with Springs Travel Service What is the hot destination? Mexico is always the favorite destination and Alaska is great in the summer. What is a little known spot people should head to? Turks and Caicos islands, but they are becoming more well known. Where do Glenwood Springs residents head to? Playa De Carmen and Mexican destinations. In the summer, Glenwood Springs residents travel to visit families. What was your favorite trip? Paris. I have been there five times. Where do you want to head to now? I am going to Newark. My family is in New Jersey and I am going to Jersey shore.

RETAIL

Retail

By Phillip Yates

Post Independent Staff

Best Local Florist

It is a plaudit Flower Mart has received for 10 years.

But every time area residents name the business its Locals Choice for best local florist, it is a significant honor, said Dennis Bader, owner of Flower Mart.

“It is kind of humbling,” said Bader, who owns the business with his wife, Lynn. “We are very appreciative to our customers.”

It is those customers who have given the business a solid gold reputation in the community. If they didn’t, Flower Mart couldn’t thrive as it has, Bader said.

“If you a do lousy job, the word gets out,” Bader said. “You have to turn out a good product.”

And obviously area residents agree that Flower Mart is the top florist in the area.

The bulk of Flower Mart’s business comes from weddings, but it also delivers flowers for many other significant events, like anniversaries and the births of area babies, Bader said.

Silver: The Country Florist

Bronze: Flowers-N-Such

Best Women’s Clothing Store

From ball gowns to resort wear, the shop has an eclectic inventory.

The Mona Lisa store, which is tucked inside the Hotel Denver, is a reigning favorite with Glenwood Springs residents, who have previously made the store a Locals Choice winner.

Silver: Anderson’s Clothing

Bronze: Sugar Sweet Clothing

Best Thrift Store

Need a deal? You can find it at Defiance Thrift Store. Another good benefit for shopping here? You can help local charities because much of the store’s profits go to local non-profits.

Silver: Lilly’s Consignment Store

Bronze: Aunt Ruby’s Trunk

Best Men’s Clothing store

Need a sturdy pair of jeans? Then Anderson’s Clothing in downtown Glenwood Springs is the place for you. The store has a wide variety of clothing suited for the Western Colorado man.

Silver: Summit Canyon Mountaineering

Bronze: The Ranch House in Rifle

Best Book Store

Heard about Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer-prize winning book, “The Road”? Find it among hundreds of other books and items at the Book Train in downtown Glenwood Springs. With regional books, a hefty magazine selection, and cards, calendars and music, the shop is a haven for those who love words.

Silver: Through the Looking Glass

Bronze: Town Center Booksellers in Basalt

Best Local Home Improvement Store

Lowe’s Home Improvement is the favorite for many area residents. The large selection and easy location at Glenwood Meadows makes it a Mecca for fixer-uppers.

Lowe’s also won Best Place to Buy Gardening Supplies, Best Place to Buy Appliances.

Finalists for Best Local Home Improvement Store

Silver: Big John’s Building & Home Center

Bronze: Mr. T’s Hardware & Building Supply

Recipient of silver for Best Place to Buy Gardening Supplies was the Rifle Garden Center, with the bronze going to Glenwood Gardens. Recipient of the silver for Best Place to Buy Appliances was Sears in Rifle, with the bronze going to Contract Appliance Center.

Best Local Sporting Goods Store

Sports Authority is the place for everything from basketballs, Ping-Pong balls or skis. If you want to get active and play a little, find all the accessories you need here.

Silver: Factory Surplus

Bronze: Summit Canyon Mountaineering

Best Home Decorating Store

Area residents go to Pier 1 Imports at Glenwood Meadows to find just the right decoration for around their homes. With goods from around the world, the mantle may look a little brighter this year.

Silver: Lowe’s Home Improvement

Bronze: Bed Beth & Beyond

Best Local Car Dealership

It is becoming a tradition for Bighorn Toyota. For the fifth time, residents have named Bighorn Toyota a Locals Choice for its customer service and friendly atmosphere.

Silver: Berthod Motors

Bronze: Vista Auto Group

Best Local Liquor Store

Turtle’s Glenwood Liquors is the winner. With a large selection and an easy location in the middle of Glenwood Springs makes Turtle’s a Locals Choice winner again. The store previously won the honor in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Silver: Roaring Fork Liquors

Bronze: Bid Sid’s Bottles

Best Pet Store

From a dog bone to cat litter, if your furry little friend or special animal pal needs something, you can find it at PetCo.

Silver: High Tails Dog & Cat Outfitters

Bronze: RJ Paddywacks

Best Cell phone Store

Can you hear me? Hear this: ICS The Wireless Store is once again a Locals Choice favorite for its selection and customer service.

Silver: Radio Shack in Rifle

Bronze: Active Communications

Best Place to Buy Flooring

The best place to find the stuff to put under your feet is found at Flooring America, according to Glenwood Springs and area residents.

Silver: Lowe’s Home Improvement

Bronze: Carpet One of Glenwood Springs

Best Place to Buy Furniture

American Furniture Warehouse is the Lcoals Choice. You won’t find tigers roaming around this furniture shop, but you will find a wide array of home furnishing options at fair prices.

Silver: Roaring Fork Furniture

Bronze: The Ranch House in Rifle

Best Place to Buy Jewelry

Fine Things is quite a jewelry store. Once again, Fine Things is the locals’ choice for a their jewelry needs.

Silver: The Bead Shop

Bronze: Zale’s Jewelers

Best Specialty Gift Store

At Interiors A La Carte fine home decor, women’s clothing and accessories await customers at this downtown Glenwood Springs shop.

Silver: Watersweeper and the Dwarf

Bronze: Wendills Wonderous Things; Passion for Picnics

Best Video Store

Looking for a fun movie night? Locals say Blockbuster is the place to go. Choose a flick from a huge selection at the Glenwood Springs chain.

Silver: Sounds Easy in Carbondale

Bronze: City Market

Best Employment Service

Area residents say SOS Staffing is the best place for local businesses to turn to find employees and it is tops for residents seeking a job.

Silver: Labor Source

Bronze: Office Services Unlimited