.Best Of Santa Cruz County 2016 Shopping & Services

Shopping & Services

Best Arts & Crafts

Palace Arts

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Best Arts & Crafts: Palace Arts & Office Supply

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

 

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