Shopping & Services
Best Arts & Crafts
Palace Arts
1. Palace Arts is family-owned, and has been open in Santa Cruz for 67 years
2. There are two locations, in Capitola and downtown Santa Cruz.
3. At the Capitola location, there are classes and demos for oil painting and acrylic painting.
4. With the popularity of the adult coloring trend, they’ve seen adult coloring books become some of their best-selling items; they have the largest selection on the Central Coast.
5. On Wednesdays, the Capitola location holds “drop-in coloring” for all ages from 3-6 p.m. AE
Best Barbershop
Montgomery’s Barbershop
1. With its checkered floor and red walls, the vibe at Montgomery’s Barbershop is retro with flair.
2. On weekdays, they are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
3. Most people think of “barbershop” as a guy thing, but Montgomery’s caters to both men and women of all ages.
4. Always popular at Montegomery’s: the “fade” haircut.
5. Can’t imagine what it’d be like to get your haircut at Montgomery’s? Their Facebook site features videos of customers getting their hair done. AE
Best Computer Repair
Clickaway
1. Clickaway’s computer repair services do not require an appointment, and they provide same-day on-site service.
2. Store manager Vince Hargraves is proud of the “friendly atmosphere” in the store.
3. In addition to computer repair, Clickaway provides services for Verizon Wireless and Comcast.
4. They also carry laptops and desktops from Dell, Lenovo, HP, Apple.
5. The team at Clickaway is fluent in both Spanish and English. AE
Best Green Business
T Paul Sek Eco-Friendly Painting
1. T Paul Sek Eco-Friendly Painting has been dedicated to eco-friendly practices since 2003, out of concern both for consumer health and minimizing environmental impact.
2. It is a family-run business, established by Theodore Sek and wife Debbie Sek.
3. The “T” in “T Paul Sek” comes from the first letter of Paul Sek’s given first name, Theodore. His wife, Debbie, says the name just stuck.
4. They do both indoor and outdoor projects.
5. One of the couple’s all-time favorite jobs was painting a three-bedroom townhouse in Los Gatos 22 colors, with accent walls in each closet. AE
Best Musical Instruments
Sylvan Music
1. The folks at Sylvan Music have dedicated themselves to what they call the “wide world of killer stringed instruments” for 32 years.
2. Some instruments they carry are made locally, others come from all over the U.S., Europe and the Pacific Rim.
3. Sylvan holds lessons for all stringed instruments; guitar lessons are the most popular.
4. Ukulele lessons are on the rise.
5. Their website, sylvanmusic.com, features video demos created by employees. AE
Adult Store
Camouflage
1329 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-7613, shopcamouflage.com
RUNNERS-UP Frenchy’s, Pure Pleasure
Alternative Health Services
Thrive Natural Medicine
2840 Park Ave., Soquel,
515-8699, thrivenatmed.com
RUNNERS-UP Five Branches University, The Healthy Way
Antiques
Mr. Goodie’s Antiques
1541 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-9997
RUNNERS-UP Attilia’s Antiques, Clearwater Bazaar
Arts and Crafts
Palace Arts & Office Supply
1407 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-1550,
1501 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-2700,
gopalace.com
RUNNERS-UP Lenz Arts, Swift Stitch
Auto Dealer
Toyota of Santa Cruz
4200 Auto Plaza Drive, Capitola, 465-8600, santacruztoyota.com
RUNNERS-UP Ocean Honda, Subaru
Auto Repair
Specialized Auto
2415 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-3458, specializedautos.com
RUNNERS-UP Lloyd’s Tires, RPM Auto Repair
Bank (local)
Santa Cruz County Bank
7775 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-6000
819 Bay Ave., Capitola, 464-5300
720 Front St., Santa Cruz, 457-5000
4604 Scotts Valley Drive, # 10, Scotts Valley, 461-5000
RUNNERS-UP Comerica, Lighthouse Bank
Barbershop
Montgomery’s Barber Shop
1047 Water St., Santa Cruz, 713-5038
RUNNERS-UP Hairy Chair, West Side Barbershop
Bed & Breakfast
Inn at Depot Hill
250 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 462-3376, innatdepothill.com
RUNNERS-UP Babbling Brook Inn, Darling House
Beauty Supply
Westside Beauty Supply
Multiple Locations
RUNNER-UP Belladawna Esthetics
Bookshop (new)
Bookshop Santa Cruz
1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0900, bookshopsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Crossroads Books, Logos Books & Records
Bookshop (used)
Logos Books & Records
1117 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-5100, logosbooksrecords.com
RUNNERS-UP Bookshop Santa Cruz, The Literary Guillotine
Butcher
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP El Salchichero, Freedom Meat Locker
Car Wash
Whalers Car Wash
2001 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0676, whalerscarwash.com
RUNNERS-UP Cruz Car Wash, Master Car Wash
Carpet Cleaning
Connoisseur
1521 Seabright Ave, Santa Cruz, 476-9721, santacruzclean.com
RUNNERS-UP Peachy Kleen, Quality Carpet Care
Children’s Day Care
Simcha Preschool
3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, 479-3449
RUNNERS-UP Circle of Friends, Santa Cruz Toddler Care
Computer Repair
ClickAway
303 Potrero St., Santa Cruz, 420-1200, clickaway.com
RUNNERS-UP Blue Screen Computers, Pleasure Point Computer
Consignment Clothing
Closet Shopper
504 Front St., Santa Cruz,
427-0400, theclosetshoppersantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Crossroads Trading Co., Jet Set Bohemian
Coworking Space
NextSpace
101 Cooper St., Santa Cruz, 420-0710, nextspace.us
RUNNERS-UP Cruzioworks, The Satellite Felton
Credit Union
Bay Federal Credit
Multiple Locations
RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Community Credit Union, Monterey Credit Union
Dry Cleaners
Classic Vapor Dry Cleaners
285 Water St., Santa Cruz, 423-4646;
809 Bay Ave., Capitola, 479-0650;
415 Trout Gulch Road, Aptos, 688-5011, vaporcleaners.biz
RUNNERS-UP Bariteau’s, Master Cleaners
DVD Rental
DVD To Go Scotts Valley
5171 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley,
438-0469
RUNNERS-UP Capitola Video, Westside Video
Eyewear
EyeQ
1101 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
466-3937, eyeqsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Plaza Lane Optometry, Spex
Fabric
Harts Fabric
1620 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-5434, hartsfabric.com
RUNNER-UP Crossroad Fabrics
Feed Store
Mountain Feed & Farm Supply
9550 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond,
336-8876, mountainfeed.com
RUNNERS-UP General Feed & Seed, Scotts Valley Feed
Financial Planner
Christine McBroom
1066 41st Ave., Ste. A101, Capitola,
476-7300, lanaifinancialsolutions.com
RUNNERS-UP Cheryl Rebottaro and Kyle Sharp at Edward Jones
Flooring
San Lorenzo Floors
3113 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley,
461-1300, sanloreznofloors.com
RUNNERS-UP Floors Etc., Samaya’s Eco-Flooring
Flower Shop
The Flower Shack
614 S Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-3877
RUNNERS-UP Ace’s Flowers, Susi’s Flowers
Free WiFi
Cruzio
877, Cedar St., Santa Cruz,
459-6301, cruzio.com
RUNNERS-UP Lulu Carpenter’s, Verve Coffee Roasters
Furniture
SC41
2647 41st Ave., Soquel,
464-2228, sc41.com
RUNNERS-UP Couch Potato, HomeSpace
Garden Supply
San Lorenzo Garden Center
235 River St., Santa Cruz,
423-0223, probuild.com
RUNNERS-UP DIG Gardens, Garden Company
Gift Shop
Zinnia’s Gift Boutique
Graham Plaza, 219 Mount Hermon Road, Scotts Valley,
430-9466, zinniasgiftboutique.com
RUNNERS-UP Artisans Gallery, The Farm Bakery
Green Business
T Paul Sek Eco-Friendly Painting
721 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz,
588-4080, greenpaintingcontractor.com
RUNNERS-UP Allterra Solar, Staff of Life, Greenspace
Grocery Store (local)
Shopper’s Corner
622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-1398, shopperscorner.com
RUNNERS-UP Deluxe Foods of Aptos, Staff of Life
Grocery Store (natural)
New Leaf Community Markets
1101 Fair Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-1306
1134 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1793
1210 41st Ave., Capitola, 479-7987
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Natural Foods, Staff of Life
Hair Salon
Salon on the Square
110 Cooper St., Ste 100E, Santa Cruz,
600-7087, salononthesquare-sc.com
RUNNERS-UP Concrete Rose Salon, L’Atelier Salon
Hardware Store
San Lorenzo Lumber
235 River St., Santa Cruz,
423-0223, sanlorenzolumber.com
RUNNERS-UP Felton Hardware, Scarborough Lumber
Headshop
Pipe Line
818 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
425-7473, pipesinthecity.com
RUNNERS-UP Graffix, Puff-N-Pass
Home Decorating
Home/Work
765 Cedar St. #103, Santa Cruz,
316-5215, shophomework.com
RUNNERS-UP Stripe, Warmth Company
Hotel
Dream Inn
175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz,
426-4330, jdvhotels.com
RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, Hotel Paradox, Seascape Beach Resort
House Painter
T Paul Sek Eco-Friendly Painting
721 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz,
588-4080, greenpaintingcontractor.com
RUNNERS-UP Paul Coutts Painting, Tom Hartje
Hydroponic Supplier
Santa Cruz Hydroponics and Organics
Multiple Locations
santacruz-hydroponics.gardeningunlimited.com
RUNNERS-UP Mountain Feed & Farm Supply, Specialty Garden Supply
Internet Service Provider
Cruzio
877 Cedar St., #150, Santa Cruz,
459-6301, cruzio.com
RUNNER-UP Got.Net
Jewelry
Dell Williams
1320 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-4100, dellwilliams.com
RUNNERS-UP Artisans Gallery, Super Silver
Kids’ Clothing
Jelli Beanz
2555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz,
462-6700, jellibeanzonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Eco-Goods, Hopscotch
Kitchen Store
Chefworks
1527 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
426-1351, mytoque.com
RUNNERS-UP Le Chef, Outside-In
Landscaper
Dreamscape Creative Landscape Solutions
1916 Encina Drive, Santa Cruz
476-6800, dreamscape-cls.com
RUNNERS-UP Paradise Landscape, Tree-O Landscape Co.
Laser Hair Removal
Laser Hair and Skin Solutions
783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., #71b, Aptos, 689-9830
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Laser Hair, Santa Cruz Medical Spa
Laundromat
Sudz
7887 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 688-7839
709 Lighthouse Ave., Santa Cruz, 324-4920
RUNNERS-UP Bubbles, Seabright Laundry
Lawyer
Michael Tunink
820 Bay Ave., #120, Capitola, 477-2001
RUNNERS-UP Ben Rice, Dina Hoffman
Life Coach
Janette Valentino
valentinocoaching.com
RUNNERS-UP Amber Campion, Karin Leonard
Lighting
Riverside Lighting & Electric
300 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-7411, riversidelightingandelectric.com
RUNNERS-UP Illuminée, Om Gallery
Lingerie
Camouflage
1329 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
423-7613, shopcamouflage.com
RUNNERS-UP Amoureuse, Legs
Mani/Pedi
Tracy’s Nails
1420 41st Ave., Capitola, 462-2292
RUNNERS-UP Bella Nails, Opal Spa
Massage School
Cypress Health Institute School of Massage
1119 Pacific Ave., Ste. 300, Santa Cruz,
476-2115, cypresshealthinstitute.com
RUNNER-UP Five Branches University
Men’s Clothing
Stripe Men
107 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz,
421-9252, stripedesigngroup.com
RUNNERS-UP Crossroads Trading Co., Eco Goods
Men’s Shoes
Sockshop & Shoe Company
1515 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
429-6101, sockshopandshoeco.com
RUNNER-UP Old School Shoes
Music Instructor
Rhan Wilson
rhanwilson.com
RUNNERS-UP Audrey McDonald of Forte Vocal Academy, Steve Palazzo
Musical Instruments
Sylvan Music
1521 Mission St., Santa Cruz,
427-1917, sylvanmusic.com
RUNNERS-UP The Starving Musician, Union Grove Music
Pet Grooming
Bed and Biscuits
2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz,
475-1580, bedandbiscuits.com
RUNNERS-UP Shampoo-Chez, Tailwaggers Pet Grooming Salon
Pet Sitting
Who’s your walkie
536-4920, whosyourwalkie.com
RUNNERS-UP Bed and Biscuits, Little Pup Lodge
Pet Store
Pet Pals
3660 Soquel Drive, Soquel,
464-8775, epetpals.com
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Feed & Pet Supply, Westside Farm and Feed
Pharmacy
Westside Pharmacy
1401 Mission St., Santa Cruz,
423-7175, westsidepharmacyrx.com
RUNNERS-UP Frank’s, Horsnyder, Lauden
Photo Developing
Bay Photo Lab
715 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 425-1100
2959 Park Ave., Soquel, 475-6090
900 Disc Drive, Scotts Valley, 475-6686, bayphoto.com
Piercing Studio
Staircase Tattoo & Body Piercing
628 Ocean St., Santa Cruz,
425-7644, staircasetattoo.com
RUNNERS-UP Black Pearl Electric Tattooing & Fine Art, Mission Street Tattoo & Piercing
Plumbing
Rosenthal Plumbing
2264 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz,
740-8448, rosenthalplumbing.com
RUNNERS-UP Bay Plumbing Supply, Bellows Plumbing, Heating & Air
Portrait Photographer
Devi Pride Photography
1060 River St., Santa Cruz,
600-6055, devipride.com
RUNNERS-UP Alexandra Rice, Jesse Gabriel
Pre-Owned Auto Dealer
Toyota of Santa Cruz
4200 Auto Plaza Drive, Capitola,
462-4200, santacruztoyota.com
RUNNERS-UP The Argus Company, Auto One
Produce
Santa Cruz Downtown Farmers Market
Cedar and Lincoln streets
RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Markets, Sunnyside Produce
Real Estate Agency
Coldwell Banker
824 B Mission St., Santa Cruz,
469-8000, coldwellbanker.com
RUNNERS-UP Keller WIlliams, Thunderbird
Real Estate Agent
Lauren Spencer, My Santa Cruz Real Estate
7979 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-6522
MySantaCruzRealEstate.com
RUNNERS-UP Gretchen Bach, Melody Russell
Real Estate Team
Mulhern and Gomes
1414 Soquel Ave., Ste. 100, Santa Cruz
457-5555, mg4homes.com
RUNNER-UP Melody Russell Team
Record / CD Store
Streetlight Records
939 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,
421-9200, streetlightrecords.com
RUNNERS-UP Logos Books & Records, MetaVinyl
Roofers
Knox Roofing
46 El Pueblo Road, Scotts Valley,
461-0634, knoxroofing.com
RUNNERS-UP Daddario, Moriarity
Senior Home Care
ComForCare
100 Doyle St., #F, Santa Cruz, 427-1553
RUNNERS-UP Aegis, Ruth Martin Home Care
Senior Residential Community
Dominican Oaks
3400 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz,
462-6257, dominicanoaks.com
RUNNERS-UP Aegis, Sunshine Villa
Sign Shop
Stokes Signs
303 Potrero St., Santa Cruz,
426-1570, stokessigns.com
RUNNERS-UP Sign Authority, Signs Up
Solar Company
Allterra Solar
207 McPherson St., Santa Cruz,
425-2608, allterrasolar.com
RUNNERS-UP Solar City, Solar Technologies
Tanning
Paradise Tanning Co.
3555 Clares St., Capitola,
464-7985, paradisetanningco.com
RUNNERS-UP Belladawna Esthetics, Glimmer and Glow
Tattoo Studio
Heavy Water Tattoo
22606 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz,
854-7849, heavywatertattoo.com
RUNNERS-UP F U Tattoo, O’Reilly’s Tattoo
Thrift Store
Goodwill Central Coast
350 Encinal St., Santa Cruz,
423-8611, ccgoodwill.org
RUNNERS-UP Abbot’s Thrift, Caroline’s Non Profit Thrift Shop
Tires
Lloyd’s Tires
303 River St., Santa Cruz,
426-4363, lloydstire.com
RUNNERS-UP Holser’s Tire Service, Pasillas Tires
Toy Store (kids)
Childish
1127 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz,
454-8208, childishsantacruz.com
RUNNERS-UP Jelli Beanz, Wonderland
Veterinarian
Adobe Animal Hospital
1600 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz,
462-5293, adobevets.com
RUNNERS-UP Animal Hospital of Soquel, Scotts Valley Animal Hospital
Video Game Shop
Level Up
113 Locust St., Santa Cruz, 295-6329
RUNNERS-UP GameStop, Streetlight Records
Vintage Clothing
Moon Zoom
813 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-8500
RUNNERS-UP Cognito Clothing, Tomboy
Waxing
European Wax Center
1955 41st Ave., Capitola,
477-9331, waxcenter.com
RUNNERS-UP Bare Studio, Smooth Body Lounge
Women’s Clothing
Pacific Trading Company
1224 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-3349,
504 Bay Ave., Capitola, 476-6109, pacifictradingonline.com
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Shoes & Apparel, Stripe
Women’s Shoes
Bunnys Shoes
1350 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-3824
7000 Soquel Dr. Aptos, 662-2730
RUNNERS-UP Aptos Shoes & Apparel, Sockshop & Shoe Company
