Best of Boulder 2013: Independent, New and Eco-Friendly Businesses

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Bernadette Tillis of McGuckin Hardware

Eco-Friendly Business

PATAGONIA
1212 Pearl St., 720-479-2387

Second Place: Rebecca’s Herbal Apothecary & Supply
Third Place: Momentum
Fourth Place: Only Natural Pet Store
Fifth Place: ARES Thrift Store

Once
upon a time there was this rock climber named Yvon Chouinard. And he
didn’t like it when he couldn’t find the right piece of climbing gear he
needed. So Yvon started making his own climbing gear, and it was good
stuff and people bought it. Then he started thinking about the clothes
climbers needed and he figured out that rugby shirts and other odd stuff
you couldn’t get in the U.S. at the time was a pretty good fit, so he
started importing and selling them under the name of one of his favorite
mountain climbing regions, Patagonia. One thing led to another and Yvon
made a ton of money. So he decided to make cool clothes for the rest of
us. And then he made even more money. But here’s the best part, Yvon
was a guy who loved the natural world, so he decided to use his fortune
and influence to save the planet. Not bad for a nomadic climbing
blacksmith. Patagonia, like its founder, is dedicated to environmental issues from around the world. And its clothes are pretty great too.


Independent Business

MCGUCKIN HARDWARE
2525 Arapahoe Ave., Unit D1, 303-443-1822%u2028

Second Place: Cured
Third Place: Umba
Fourth Place: Momentum/Alpine Auto Detailing (tie)
Fifth Place: Alfalfa’s Market

Sure,
you could go to Home Depot or Lowe’s, or another chain-owned hardware
store. But why not keep your hard-earned dollars local, so that we can
become more self-sufficient? McGuckin Hardware has built up a
reputation for being a Boulder institution that has an incredibly
comprehensive inventory of all things related to housewares, outdoor
gear, electrical, plumbing, gardening — OK, we just started a list that
we can’t finish. We’d leave something out. Support your local everything
store. Runner-up Cured is one of our favorites as well. They have
everything you need for that romantic picnic that tells your partner you
are still as much in love as the day you met.


New Business

HAZEL’S BEVERAGE WORLD
1955 28th St., 303-447-1955

Second Place: Image Bodybuilding
Third Place: Lucky’s Bakehouse & Creamery
Fourth Place: Under the Sun Eatery and Taphouse/Umba (tie)
Fifth Place: Shine Restaurant & Gathering Place

It’s no surprise that Hazel’s Beverage World won
for best new business. After all, Hazel’s may be new, but it already
won this year as our reader’s choice for best liquor store. Maybe it’s
the wide aisles or the football field-long beer case. Whatever it is, it
is definitely working for Hazel’s. Congrats, giant liquor store, and
the same to all of our Best of Boulder new business winners. Anyone who
has ever started a business knows that it is one of the most challenging
and rewarding things you can do. Here’s to having the yarbles to follow
your dreams.


STAFF PICK: Fair Trade

MOMENTUM
1625 Pearl St., 303-440-7744

The
only thing better than finding just the right gift is finding just the
right gift and simultaneously improving the life of the person who
created it. The fair trade movement is all about improving the quality
of life for people living in poverty all over the world. Fair trade
merchants sell the products these artisans make and then give them a
much higher share of the profits than would normally be paid. As a
result, lives are changed for the good, including yours when you know
you are supporting such a great cause. Fair trade is alive and well in
Boulder, from coffee to clothing to art to jewelry and a wide variety of
other handcrafted products. If you want to create a better world with
your fair trade purchases, we can’t think of a better place than Momentum.