Best Pet Grooming/Pet Sitting

Bed and Biscuits

1. Bed and Biscuits has a certified pet aesthetician named Crystal Jaquith on staff who specializes in the skin and coats of dogs and cats.
2. The staff is trained in pet first-aid and CPR.
3. Some of their employees have worked there for over a decade.
4. There is always someone on site—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
5. For the alternative dog or cat, Bed and Biscuits offer tattoos, hair coloring, feather extensions, and bling. ANDREW STEINGRUBE

 

Best Coworking Place

NextSpace

1. NextSpace was one of the first coworking spaces in the country.
2. It has been the birthplace of countless local projects, products and businesses.
3. The restrooms in all NextSpace locations are marked by a pirate flag.
4. The original NextSpace leadership helped establish a global coworking culture of collaboration and mutual support.
5. Dogs are welcome and beloved members of the NextSpace community. CAT JOHNSON

 

Best Piercing Studio

Staircase Tattoo & Body Piercing

1. The original location downtown opened in 1994. Its previous tenant was called Staircase Massage Parlor.
2. Staircase Tattoo & Body Piercing is a family business run by two generations of McDermotts with decades of experience.
3. Staircase’s piercing section contains more gold than Fort Knox.
4. Staircase never sleeps, apparently. It is open seven days a week, from noon to 8 p.m.
5. There is no part of the body Staircase has not pierced. DNA

Best Adult Store

Pure Pleasure

1. Pure Pleasure is run by knowledgeable mother-daughter team Janice and Amy Baldwin.
2. Their new location on Cooper Street is across the street from the MAH.
3. Pure Pleasure hosts monthly sex and relationship workshops, along with seasonal special events like comedy, performance art and First Friday blow-outs.
4. The vibe is friendly and classy, with a hint of mischief.
5. Vegan products are available for the socially conscious. DNA

 

Best Solar Company

Alterra Solar

1. Founded by brothers James and Nathaniel Allen, Alterra Solar is family-owned and operated.
2. Alterra strives to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy on the central coast.
3. It is the perennial favorite solar company of Good Times readers, having won the category for the last several years.
4. Other awards they’ve received include Best Place to Work in Monterey Bay (bfrom the Monterey County Business Council) and 2015 Cool Climate Leader (from the California Air Resources Board).
5. Alterra has fantastic drone videos of many of the projects they’ve worked on around the Monterey Bay. CJ

 

 

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Adult Store

Pure Pleasure Shop

111 Cooper St., Santa Cruz,

466-9870, purepleasureshop.com

RUNNERS-UP Camouflage, Frenchy’s

 

Alternative Health Services

Thrive Natural Medicine

2840 Park Ave., Soquel,

515-8699, thrivenatmed.com

RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz CORE Fitness, Five Branches University

 

Antiques

Clark’s Auction Company

103 Whispering Pines Drive, Scotts Valley, 706-8776

RUNNERS-UP Center Street Antiques, Mr. Goodie’s

 

Arts and Crafts

Palace Arts & Office Supply

1407 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 427-1550,

1501 41st Ave., Capitola, 464-2700,

gopalace.com

RUNNERS-UP Art Supplies Ink, Lenz Arts

 

Auto Dealer (New)

Toyota of Santa Cruz  

4200 Auto Plaza Drive, Capitola, 465-8600, santacruztoyota.com

RUNNERS-UP Ocean Honda, Subaru of Santa Cruz

 

Auto Dealer (Pre-Owned)

Auto One

1236 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz,

427-2700, santacruzautoone.com

RUNNERS-UP The Argus Company, Beach Auto Sales

 

Auto Repair

Specialized Auto

2415 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-3458, specializedautos.com

RUNNERS-UP Lloyd’s Tires, Rusty’s 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

 

Bank (Credit Union)

Bay Federal Credit Union

Multiple Locations

RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Community Credit Union

 

Barbershop

Montgomery’s Barber Shop

1047 Water St., Santa Cruz, 713-5038

RUNNERS-UP Cali Barbershop, West Side Barbershop

 

Bed & Breakfast

Inn at Depot Hill

250 Monterey Ave., Capitola, 462-3376, innatdepothill.com

RUNNERS-UP Babbling Brook Inn, Sand Rock Farm

 

Beauty Supply

Westside Beauty Supply

Multiple Locations

RUNNER-UP Olympia Beauty Supply & Salon

 

Bookshop (new)

Bookshop Santa Cruz

1520 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-0900, bookshopsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Kelly’s 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

2888 Estates Drive, Aptos, 476-9721, santacruzclean.com

RUNNERS-UP Peachy Kleen, Quality Carpet Care

 

Children’s Day Care

Simcha Preschool  

3055 Porter Gulch Road, Aptos, 479-3449, simchapreschool.org

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Child Care, Discovery Preschool and Family Center

 

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

 

Custom Framing

York Framing Gallery

619 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 462-0313, yorkframinggallery.com

RUNNERS-UP Frame Circus, Lenz Arts

 

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 Almar Cleaners, Master Cleaners

 

DVD Rental

Westside Video

2334 Mission St., Santa Cruz,

458-0134

RUNNERS-UP Capitola Video, DVD To Go

 

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

RUNNERS-UP Crossroad Fabrics, Judy’s Sewing and Vacuum Center

 

Feed Store

Mountain Feed & Farm Supply

9550 Hwy. 9, Ben Lomond,

336-8876, mountainfeed.com

RUNNERS-UP Aptos Feed & Pet Supply, General Feed & Seed

 

Financial Planner

Lanai Financial Solutions

1066 41st Ave., Ste. A101, Capitola,

476-7300, lanaifinancialsolutions.com

RUNNERS-UP Christine McBroom, Kyle Sharp

 

Flooring

San Lorenzo Floors

3113 Scotts Valley Drive, Scotts Valley,

461-1300, sanlorenzofloors.com

RUNNERS-UP Floors Etc., Warehouse Direct Flooring Outlet

 

Flower Shop

The Flower Shack

614 S Branciforte Ave., Santa Cruz, 423-3877

RUNNERS-UP Ace’s Flowers, Susi’s Flowers

 

Furniture

SC41

2647 41st Ave., Soquel,

464-2228, sc41.com

RUNNERS-UP Couch Potato, Modern Life, Sweets in the Nude

 

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 Outside-In, Stripe

 

Green Business

T Paul Sek Eco-Friendly Painting

721 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz,

588-4080, greenpaintingcontractor.com

RUNNERS-UP Greenspace, Salon on the Square   

 

Grocery Store (local)

Shopper’s Corner

622 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz,

423-1398, shopperscorner.com

RUNNERS-UP New Leaf Community Markets, 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 L’Atelier Salon, Salon Santa Cruz

 

Hardware Store

Ace Hardware

1214 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz, 457-2222

72 Rancho Del Mar, Aptos, 662-0222

849 Almar Ave., Santa Cruz, 426-7650

RUNNERS-UP San Lorenzo Lumber, Scarborough Lumber  

 

Headshop

Pipe Line  

818 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz,

425-7473

RUNNERS-UP Graffix, KindPeoples Collective

 

Home Decorating

Stripe

107 Walnut Ave., Santa Cruz,

421-9252, stripedesigngroup.com

RUNNERS-UP Botanic & Luxe, Warmth Company

 

Hotel

Dream Inn  

175 W Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz,

426-4330, dreaminnsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Chaminade, Hotel Paradox

 

House Cleaner

Clean Sweep

721 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz,

588-4080, greenpaintingcontractor.com

RUNNERS-UP Mario’s House and Carpet Cleaning, Sunrise Cleaning

 

House Painter

T Paul Sek Eco-Friendly Painting

721 Seabright Ave., Santa Cruz,

588-4080, greenpaintingcontractor.com

RUNNERS-UP Andson Painting, D2 Painting

 

Hydroponic Supplier

Santa Cruz Hydroponics and Organics

Multiple Locations

thegrowbiz.com

RUNNER-UP 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, Cameron Marks Boutique

 

Kids’ Clothing

Jelli Beanz

2555 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz,

462-6700, jellibeanzonline.com

RUNNERS-UP Childish, Hopscotch

 

Kitchen Store

Toque Blanche

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 K&D Landscaping, Paradise Landscape

 

Laser Hair Removal

Laser Hair and Skin Solutions

783 Rio Del Mar Blvd., #71b, Aptos, 689-9830

RUNNERS-UP Monterey Bay Laser Aesthetics, UltraDerm

 

Laundromat

Sudz

7887 Soquel Drive, Santa Cruz, 688-7839

709 Lighthouse Ave., Santa Cruz, 324-4920

RUNNERS-UP Bubbles, Seaside Wash & Dry

 

Lawyer

Michael Tunink

820 Bay Ave., #120, Capitola, 477-2001

RUNNERS-UP Eddie Broitman, Dina Hoffman

 

Life Coach

Marisa Abzug-Callender

balancemft.com

RUNNERS-UP Bernadine Rosso, Melanie Sargent

 

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 Berdels, So Fresh

 

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 Dale Ockerman, Steve Palazzo 


 

Musical Instruments

Sylvan Music

1521 Mission St., Santa Cruz,

427-1917, sylvanmusic.com

RUNNERS-UP The Starving Musician, Thomas Musical Instruments

 

Pet Grooming

Bed and Biscuits

2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz,

475-1580, bedandbiscuits.com

RUNNERS-UP Shampoo-Chez, The Whole Kitten Capoodle

 

Pet Sitting

Bed and Biscuits

2625 Chanticleer Ave., Santa Cruz,

475-1580, bedandbiscuits.com

RUNNERS-UP Little Pup Lodge, Who’s Your Walkie

 

Pet Store

Pet Pals

3660 Soquel Drive, Soquel,

464-8775, epetpals.com

RUNNERS-UP Aptos Feed & Pet Supply, Pet Emporium

 

Pharmacy

Westside Pharmacy   

1401 Mission St., Santa Cruz,

423-7175, westsidepharmacyrx.com

RUNNERS-UP Frank’s, Horsnyder

 

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 Amory Body Arts, Mission Street Tattoo & Piercing

 

Plumbing

Bellows Plumbing, Heating & Air

2562 Research Park Drive, Soquel,

219-8644, bellowsservice.com

RUNNERS-UP Santa Cruz Plumbing Inc., Tino’s Plumbing

 

Portrait Photographer

Devi Pride Photography   

1060 River St., Santa Cruz,

600-6055, devipride.com

RUNNERS-UP Alexandra Rice, Neil Simmons

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 Bailey Properties, David Lyng

 

Real Estate Agent

Lauren Spencer, My Santa Cruz Real Estate

7979 Soquel Drive, Aptos, 662-6522

RUNNERS-UP Gretchen Bach, Justin McNabb

 

Real Estate Team

Friday Realty

1040 41st Ave., Santa Cruz

440-3690, fridayrealty.com

RUNNER-UP Mulhern Realty Group

 

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 Moriarity Roofing, Turk the Roofer

 

Senior Home Care

ComForCare  

100 Doyle St., #F, Santa Cruz, 427-1553, comforcare.com/california/santa-cruz-county

RUNNERS-UP Heartfelt Home Care, Lifespan Care Management Agency  

 

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 Catto’s Graphics, Santa Cruz Signs

 

Solar Company

Allterra Solar

207 McPherson St., Santa Cruz,

425-2608, allterrasolar.com

RUNNERS-UP Sandbar Solar & Electric, Solar Technologies  

 

Tanning

Glimmer & Glow

153 S. Morrissey Ave., Santa Cruz, 469-4569

266-L Mt. Hermon Rd., Scotts Valley, 471-8201,

glimmerandglow.com

RUNNERS-UP Paradise Tanning Co., Tan

 

Tattoo Studio

Heavy Water Tattoo

22606 E. Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz,

854-7849, heavywatertattoo.com

RUNNERS-UP Good Omen 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 Pasillas Tires, Wilson’s Tire of Soquel Village

 

Toy Store (kids)

Childish   

1127 Soquel Ave., Santa Cruz,

454-8208, childishsantacruz.com

RUNNERS-UP Jelli Beanz, Wonderland

 

Veterinarian

Scotts Valley Veterinary Clinic

4257 Scotts Valley Dr., Scotts Valley,

438-2600, scottsvalleyvet.com

RUNNERS-UP Adobe Animal Hospital, Westside 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 Veronica Franco @ La Raux Salon, 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 Drive, Aptos, 662-2730

RUNNERS-UP Aptos Shoes & Apparel, Sockshop & Shoe Company

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