Friday, May 24, 2013
Real deals
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In-Store Beer Selection
In-Store Wine Selection
Gold
Cheers Liquor Mart
1105 N. Circle Drive, 574-2244
Even on the official Web site for the Colorado Springs visitors' bureau, Cheers is billed as "The Springs' greatest liquid asset." That's quite a compliment coming from a city named for its surrounding fresh water resources ... wait, there aren't any actual springs in this city. Well, it's still quite a compliment. Cheers boasts the most extensive selection of alcohol in southern Colorado. Your friends from Omaha will be blown away. FG
In-Store Beer Selection
Silver
Coaltrain Wine & Liquor
330 W. Uintah St., 475-9700
Bronze
Springs Liquor Outlet
6010 N. Carefree Circle, 573-5777
In-Store Wine Selection
Silver
Coaltrain Wine & Liquor
330 W. Uintah St., 475-9700
Bronze
Springs Liquor Outlet
6010 N. Carefree Circle, 573-5777
Best Florist
Gold
Platte Floral
1417 E. Platte Ave., 632-2607
Flowers can't apply lotion to themselves, so Platte Floral provides flowers that are accustomed to the semi-arid environment of Colorado along with other flowers and plants from around the world. With a 70-plus-year history, the locally owned shop still prides itself on making arrangements with special flair. TS
Silver
Gentry's Flowers
225 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 632-0707
Bronze
Rich Designs Florist & Antiques Inc.
1731 Mount Washington Ave., 475-1200
Best Place for a Unique Gift
Gold
Terra Verde
208 N. Tejon St., 444-8621
There's always something new and exciting at this perennial favorite, from special soaps and scented candles to dining tables and leather sofas. The nice collection of printed scarves and ornate table linens is particularly impressive. For a unique housewarming gift, try the colorful, stylish and affordable lacquered bamboo serving dishes. DTR
Silver
Celebration! Conscious Living Store
2209 W. Colorado Ave., 634-1855
Bronze
Cachet Baskets Company
7505 Tudor Road, 593-9458
Best Place to Buy Art
Gold
Commonwheel Artists Co-op
102 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1008
click to enlarge
The Commonwheel offers something for everyone, including wearable art, sculpture, jewelry, pottery and paintings. Since 1974, this unique gallery has offered art by local artists, and occasionally, national artists. The co-op supports artists in the Pikes Peak region by hosting holiday art events, as well as openings every month. KB
Silver
Business of Art Center
513 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1861
Bronze
Rubbish Gallery
17B Bijou St., 231-9839
Local Furniture Store
Chain Furniture Store
Gold
American Furniture Warehouse
2805 Chestnut St., 633-4220
When Springs residents think of furniture, they think of baby tigers and Jake Jabs. Seems like a strange combination, but AFW honcho Jabs has made the connection via TV ads, which he says are personal, inexpensive and effective. This approach also happens to mirror his formula for success in furniture sales: personal service, low prices and products that please buyers. Jabs started with one store in 1968. Happy customers have helped it expand into a multi-million dollar business with 10 stores across Colorado. JET
Local Furniture Store
Silver
Platte Furniture
2331 E. Platte Place, 633-7309
Bronze
Terra Verde
208 N. Tejon St., 444-8621
Chain Furniture Store
Silver
Family Furniture
3775 E. Pikes Pike Ave., 574-4300
Bronze
Sofa Mart
6310 Corporate Centre Circle, 528-2450
Best Toy Store
Gold
Little Richard's Toys
324 N. Tejon St., 578-5848
Little Richard's is a wonderland of fun, stocked from floor to ceiling with thousands of classic, educational and unusual toys that are powered by imagination instead of batteries. You'll find dragons, dinosaurs, puppets, Erector Sets, Slinkys, kaleidoscopes, crafts, puzzles, tea sets, trains and more. It's so good, we hear even Santa shops there. JET
Silver
Toys "R" Us
3730 N. Citadel Drive, 597-8697
Bronze
RetroMoto Toys
738 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-2475
Best Locally Owned Bookstore
Gold
Poor Richard's Bookstore
320 N. Tejon St., 578-0012
Video killed the radio star, but the Internet hasn't yet killed the bookseller. Bookworms such as Fast Food Nation author Eric Schlosser escape into an interesting read while lounging at Poor Richard's. The independent store evolved from 1977's "Feed and Read" program into today's book-junkie staple. TS
Silver
The Book Broker
119 E. Bijou St., 227-7558
Bronze
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Celebration! Conscious Living Store
2209 W. Colorado Ave., 634-1855
Best Used Bookstore
Gold
The Book Broker
119 E. Bijou St., 227-9622
A standout in the downtown area's dwindling collection of goofy independent stores, The Book Broker will unfortunately shut its hallowed Bijou Street doors soon. So there's absolutely no reason to waste time in heading over, picking a good, insulating corner and reading through several used children's books immediately. JTR
Silver
Poor Richard's Bookstore
320 N. Tejon St., 578-0012
Bronze
The Bookman
3163 W. Colorado Ave., 636-0055
Best Chain Bookstore
Gold
Barnes & Noble
795 Citadel Drive East, 637-8282
1565 Briargate Blvd., 266-9960
There are a few differences between Barnes & Noble and the library. One: The books are new. Two: They aren't free. Three: Starbucks is involved. But, like a library, Barnes & Noble says it is committed to literacy. And sometimes, it's more pleasant to be literate with a Frappuccino in hand. LP
Silver
Borders
2120 Southgate Blvd., 632-6611
Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd., 266-1600
Bronze
Best Antique Store
Gold
The Antique Mall of Colorado Springs
1024 S. Tejon St., 520-1415
"We sell only things that we would have ourselves," says co-owner Jeff Weller. So, Weller and Dave McIntosh ban reproductions and crafts from their store, and instead stock it with furniture and other beautiful, usable items. Many pieces even come with a friendly history lesson from McIntosh, an antiques expert and former teacher. JET
Silver
American Classics Marketplace
1815 N. Academy Blvd., 596-8585
Bronze
Antique Gallery
21 N. Nevada Ave., 633-6070
Best Camera Shop
Gold
Shewmaker's
30 N. Tejon St., 636-1696
7529 N. Academy Blvd., 598-6412
Pros and serious amateur shooters have looked to Shewmaker's for equipment and advice since get this 1937! Owners Jared and Lanonah Krumanocker and their staff of experienced photographers stay up-to-date on today's cutting edge digital technology and also support old-school film equipment. Shewmaker's gets the picture. GE
Silver
Wolf Camera
1850 N. Academy Blvd., 597-1575
Bronze
Cameraworks
5030 N. Academy Blvd., 594-6966
Best Store for Musical Instruments
Gold
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Graner Music
4460 Barnes Road, 574-2001
3663 Star Ranch Road, 538-7999
8674 N. Union Blvd., 579-7665
With an extensive display of band instruments and 19 lesson rooms open until 11 p.m., Graner Music accommodates the music-geek-in-training like no other music store in town. For the edgier folks, the store boasts a panoply of guitars, including the rare bajosexto for Latin-influenced music-making. NZ
Silver
Guitar Center
535 N. Academy Blvd., 591-9040
Bronze
Meeker Music
113 E. Bijou St., 471-8940
Best Locally Owned Place for CDs
Best Locally Owned Place for DVDs
Gold
Independent Records
Five locations
The other Indy has become a definitive piece of the city's personality. You'll find that most Independent Records employees started out as loyal shoppers, only to later find themselves on the other side of the counter. The company's unwavering support of local artists speaks for itself, as does its commitment to the customers. Whether looking for that used CD or the latest DVD, you'll always end up finding at least one thing you never knew you needed. All this, after 29 years of faithful servitude. JK
Locally Owned Place for CDs
Silver
Earth Pig Music
1953 W. Uintah St., 575-9847
Bronze
The Leechpit
708 N. Weber St., 634-3675
Locally Owned Place for DVDs
Silver
Toons Downtown
802 N. Nevada Ave., 632-8410
Bronze
Entertainmart
651 N. Academy Blvd., 380-8580
Chain Store for CDs
Chain Store for DVDs
Best Buy
7675 N. Academy Blvd., 593-0414
3150 New Center Point, 597-9519
No matter what you head to Best Buy for large-scale electronics, home appliances, cell phone equipment it's not uncommon to find yourself uncontrollably meandering toward the extensive racks of CDs and DVDs at the front of the store. The rates aren't bad on their own, but the real gems come in the poor-sales-inspired price drops. It's tough enough turning down the brand-new DVD release of X-Men 3; you won't stand a chance when something like Real Genius is practically being given away for $7.99. PF
Chain Store for CDs
Silver
Independent Records
Five locations
Bronze
Borders
2120 Southgate Road, 632-6611
Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd., 266-1600
Chain Store for DVDs
Silver
Blockbuster Video
11 locations
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Bronze
Borders
2120 Southgate Road, 632-6611
1710 Briargate Blvd., 266-1600
Best Garden Supply/Nursery
Gold
Rick's Garden Center
1827 W. Uintah St., 632-8491
or
Rick's Nursery
600 N. 18th St., 636-3085
Gardening isn't supposed to be confusing. It's supposed to be relaxing! So, while we're sure that employees at these two "Rick's" stops are quite helpful when it comes to gardening, they could use a little help when it comes to naming. Little-known fact: Though they were at one time related, these entities now are separately owned. PF
Silver
Spencer's Lawn & Garden Centers
1430 S. Tejon St., 632-2788
Bronze
Good Earth Garden Center
Best Local Outdoor Outfitter
Gold
Mountain Chalet
226 N. Tejon St., 633-0732
Looking for a sturdy snowshoe and a T-shirt that expresses your disdain for big chains? Try Mountain Chalet. Their "Chain Stores Suck" shirts put me oddly at ease, and apparently a slew of readers feel the same. Come for the Crocs, stay for a friendly conversation about "the man." FG
Silver
Colorado Kite & Ski
2845 Ore Mill Road, 633-6227
Bronze
None
Best Chain Outdoor Outfitter
Gold
REI
1376 E. Woodmen Road, 260-1455
At REI, you'll find that perfect quilted nylon, sun-protective, long-sleeved top in boysenberry ripple, along with whatever else your inner rock star-slash-hiker could dream up. Walking through this wonderland of outdoor goods feels a little like a camping trip: a selection of tents as far as the eye can see. FG
Silver
Dick's Sporting Goods
3133 Cinema Point, 638-3400
Bronze
Sportsman's Warehouse
555 N. Chelton Road, 597-9200
Best Place to Buy Skateboards
Gold
BC Surf and Sport
Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd., 590-7873
As all local aspiring Tony Hawks know, BC Surf and Sport has an unrivaled selection of boards. Longboards, trick boards, old-school boards, snowboards ... the lengthy list will make you bored (Get it? Board bored? Hah!). With 20 years of experience and a knowledgeable staff that lives the dream year-round, BC is passionate about horizontal mobility. MS
Silver
North Shore
Citadel Mall, 750 Citadel Drive East, Suite 1128, 597-1121
Bronze
Zumiez
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Chapel Hills Mall
1710 Briargate Blvd., Suite 801, 532-1655
Best Place to Buy Snowboards
Gold
North Shore
Citadel Mall, 750 Citadel Drive East, Suite 1128, 597-1121
Snowboarding got its start as the ugly stepchild of the ski industry; two decades later, it's the shining star. So, when you go to score a new board, why reward the arrogant ski-shop pricks? You can patronize North Shore, a "core" board shop they've backed boarders from Day One. GE
Silver
Colorado Kite & Ski
2845 Ore Mill Drive, 633-6227
Bronze
BC Surf and Sport
Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd., 590-7873
Best Place to Buy Skis
Gold
The Ski Shop
1422 S. Tejon St., 636-3355
If you're planning to shred the sick gnar this season but find yourself in need of some serious skis, your best bet is The Ski Shop. Tell a crowd of winter-starved gear-heads what you're looking for, and you'll be ready to huck that 40-foot cliff in no time. Or maybe you should just stick to the bunny hill. LP
Silver
Colorado Kite & Ski
2845 Ore Mill Drive, 633-6227
Bronze
REI
1376 E. Woodmen Road, 260-1455
Best Bike Shop
Gold
Old Town Bike Shop
426 S. Tejon St., 475-8589
Next time you're stuck in South Tejon Street's single lane, look west. The answer to your traffic-induced headache may be inside Old Town Bike Shop. The perennial favorite offers killer service and bikes from under $300 to $8,000. "We consider a bicycle a vehicle," says sales and service rep Randin Isip. "At a department store, they consider them toys." KW
Silver
Criterium
6150 Corporate Drive, 599-0149
Bronze
Ted's Bicycles
3016 N. Hancock Ave., 473-6915
Best Place to Buy Motorcycles
Gold
Apex Motorsports
327 S. Weber St., 475-2437
There are quite a few reasons to buy a motorcycle these days. They get great gas mileage, are easy to park, and help you fit in at Southside Johnny's. Your fringed leather chaps will no longer be "ridiculous" they'll be a starting point. For the rest, head to Apex Motorsports. LP
Silver
Pikes Peak Harley Davidson
5867 N. Nevada Ave., 278-2300
2180 Victor Place, 591-7594
Bronze
Rocky Mountain Cycle Plaza
412 N. Chelton Road, 591-9700
Best Place to Buy Scooters
Gold
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Sportique Scooters
431 E. Pikes Peak Ave., 442-0048
Since it doesn't sell anything else, you could say that Sportique lives and dies by its scooter sales and repair. But sales manager Mike Loop might add customer service even remembering most customers by name to that list, too. "We have to try to be better than everyone else," he says, "because we're so small." KW
Silver
Apex Motorsports
327 S. Weber St., 475-2437
Bronze
Checker Auto Parts
10 locations
Best New Foreign Car Dealer
Gold
Heuberger Motors
1080 Motor City Drive, 475-1920
Talk local music with drummer David Anthony. Talk sailing with Capt. Ed Myers. Talk hockey with former USA Hockey referee Mark McClenahan. Talk blues music with manager Tom Watkins. Then talk Subarus or Volkswagens. You've probably buttered them up enough to get a deal. PF
Silver
Liberty Toyota
5595 N. Academy Blvd., 598-2222
Bronze
Front Range Honda
1001 S. Academy St., 597-4500
Best New Domestic Car Dealer
Used Car Dealer
Gold
Phil Long Ford
1212 Motor City Drive, 544-3238
1515 Auto Mall Loop, 594-6339
427 E. Brookside St., 633-3082
Even beyond its no-hassle pricing, Phil Long drops royal treatment on locals. "This is the first company that I have worked at that has such a huge passion for community involvement," says sales manager Ron Williams. "We built parks throughout Colorado. We partnered with Trinidad State Junior College to enhance their automotive mechanic training program." And the Phil Long Community Fund has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Pikes Peak and Mile High United Way campaigns. TS
New Domestic Car Dealer
Silver
Faricy Boys Chrysler Jeep
Sales & Leasing
4950 New Car Drive, 636-1333
Bronze
Red Noland Cadillac
990 Motor City Drive, 888/321-6531
Used Car Dealer
Silver (tie)
Heuberger Motors
1080 Motor City Drive, 475-1920
Al Serra Chevrolet-Hummer
1570 Auto Mall Loop, 867-1000
Bronze
McCloskey Motors
5515 N. Academy Blvd., 594-6400
Best Mechanic
click to enlarge
Gold
Tire World
Five locations
"Trust" and "mechanic." Two words people are often hesitant to put in the same sentence. Don't worry about it when you're at Tire World. They've been developing loyal customer relationships in the Springs since 1980. Owner Bill Prentice and GM Terry Hoadley attribute Tire World's success to their staff a well-oiled machine in its own right. MS
Silver
Aspen Coachworks
1619 N. Union Blvd., 634-4257
aspencoachworks.mechanicnet.com
Bronze
Butch's Automotive Service
Best Car Wash
Gold
Water Works
1108 N. Academy Blvd., 596-3298
2253 La Montana Way, 599-7788
525 S. Nevada Ave., 634-8536
Because not every car can wear red, thank goodness for Water Works; they're willing to free you from all the red dirt on your ride anytime. And though the fickle weather endangers their good work on an almost-daily basis, the sponge-wielders at all three shops are always friendly. JK
Silver
The Hub Car Wash & Diner
4460 Forest Hill Road, 535-0346
Bronze
Seventh Wave Car Wash
Best Trash Service
Gold
Bestway Disposal
650 Santa Fe St., 633-8709
It was the band Faith No More that sang it best in 1987: "Well, it's a dirty job / But someone's gotta do it." That pretty much sums up luggin' away other people's refuse. Cheers to the company that not only does it, but does it well and with pride. MS
Silver
Waste Management
540 Elkton Drive, 632-8877
Bronze
US Waste Industries
7770 Palmer Park Blvd., 591-5000
Best Adult Store
Gold
My Menagerie
1746 Briargate Blvd., 593-7882
Who would've thought the city's best adult store would be in Focus-on-the-Family Land? Rejoice in the novelty with some novelties; My Menagerie carries the toys and aides, but if you're a first-timer, owner/manager Lee Ann Boggess recommends a video. "It's a comfortable way to ease yourself into adult products." KW
Silver
First Amendment
220 E. Fillmore St., 630-7676
Bronze
Christal's
2582 S. Academy Blvd., 393-9903
Best Live Adult Entertainment
Gold
PT's Show Club (formerly Appaloosa)
5975 Terminal Ave., 597-2336
This club fills 9,000 square feet of man-heaven with hot, naked and sometimes wet girls, seven nights a week. You can grab a bite to eat, enjoy the high-tech sound system and play pool with the featured porn stars. Denver's PT Clubs recently purchased this Springs fixture, so changes are inevitable but the quality hopefully will remain intact. AB
Silver
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Fabulous TNT's
4630 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., 531-9398
Bronze
Dj Vu Showgirls
2145 B St., 576-7724
Best Cell Phone Provider
Gold
Verizon Wireless
Four locations
Ever wonder what those things attached to everyone's heads are? Verizon Wireless can help you join the alliance with your very own Bluetooth headset: an alien, Borg-looking device that allows you to yell at your caller hands-free. Log on to Verizon's Web site now, and you could be this much closer to stepping on the USS Enterprise. JK
Silver
Cingular
11 locations
Bronze
T Mobile
Eight locations
Best Chain Hotel
Gold
Antlers Hilton
4 S. Cascade Ave., 955-5600
If you have relatives coming to town that you can't manage (or stand) to put up yourself, steer them in the direction of Antlers Hilton. It's practically in the middle of downtown, and Aunt Fergie and Uncle Joe will wet themselves when they see the view. A drink at Judge Baldwin's is known to help with acclimation. LP
Silver
Marriott
12 locations
Bronze
Embassy Suites Hotel
7290 Commerce Center Drive, 599-9100
Indoor Place to Pop the Question
Gold
The Broadmoor
1 Lake Ave., 577-5775
The Broadmoor has been the vacation destination of hundreds of presidents, statesmen and celebrities, from Bing Crosby to Bill Cosby. Propose marriage here and a concierge has a satin pillow to cushion your knee as you wait for the answer. Don't worry if she says no after the spa, golf, tennis and world-class cuisine, you'll finally learn you can't buy someone's heart. So you win either way! TD
Locally Owned Hotel or Motel
Silver
The Cliff House at Pikes Peak
306 Cañon Ave., Manitou Springs, 785-2415
Bronze
Cheyenne Mountain Resort
3225 Broadmoor Valley Road, 538-4000
Indoor Place to Pop the Question
Silver
Mona Lisa Gourmet Caf & Fondue
733 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-0277
Bronze
Briarhurst Manor
404 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, 685-1864
