“Everyday” sounds a bit boring. But the winners on the pages that follow are anything but. They represent the services that we use on a regular basis, but should never take for granted—things like getting a tire changed by someone who wants to keep our families safe on the road; or picking up flowers for a friend who could really use them, from a florist who truly cares about the small but meaningful moments in life.
Floral Fantasy
When strolling in downtown Mill Valley, you can’t help but notice the colorful array of flowers displayed outside the charming, old-fashioned-looking brick building that houses Mill Valley Flowers, this year’s readers’ choice for Best Florist. It’s hard to pass by without wanting to pick up a bouquet. Founded 25 years ago by “a tiny, mighty woman and a tall, blonde Swede” who fell in love and bought the flower shop, it’s become the go-to place for weddings, special occasions and holidays in Marin. With three trips per week to the San Francisco Flower Mart, Mill Valley Flowers prides itself on offering only the freshest seasonal flowers, including a selection of leafy plants and dazzling orchids. Expert design and local delivery can be counted on seven days a week, and this place has everything you need to make someone’s day—or just your own.—Lily O’Brien
54 Throckmorton Ave., Mill Valley; 415.388.7781.
Budding Biz
With things getting more cannabis-friendly in California every day, The Mighty Quinn, this year’s winner for Best Vape Shop, is strutting its stuff in a more mainstream way. Founded in 1979 in Santa Rosa (there are now four locations), Quinn prides itself on selecting the most beautiful functional art glass—including painted pipes and pendants—from artists and companies around the world. Papers, lighters and assorted vaping accessories can be found here, and The Mighty Quinn offers sales that celebrate holidays like 420. So whether you’re smoking tobacco or ganja, San Rafael’s shop has you covered.—L.O.
mightyquinnsmokeshop.com.
Young at Heart
How did the years catch up with us so fast? The good news is, we’re still living in Marin, and many of us are still pretty spunky. But the kids left home a long time ago, we’re aging and it’s time to downsize. The Redwoods, chosen this year as the Best Senior Living Facility in Marin, is looking good. With a recently renovated campus, The Redwoods is located on 10 acres in Mill Valley, and has glorious views of Mt. Tam. Programs cover everything from music and the arts, to nature, to spirituality and relationships to movement and exercise, so life is never dull. You can choose a studio or one-bedroom apartment, with or without a meal plan, and skilled nursing and assisted living are also available. A transportation program offers shuttles that take residents on special excursions, to the doctor or on a loop to various places all over Marin. Who said that getting old is so bad?—L.O.
40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley; 415.383.2741.
WRITER’S PICK
Digging the Vibe
When you want to “get out of town,” but not out of Marin, West Marin beckons, and Point Reyes Station is the Best Place for Feeling Like You’ve Left the Hubbub Behind. The drive there—during which you’re surrounded by forests and rolling hills—is inspiring in itself. And the town is a lovely place to stroll—slowly. The main drag is lined with gift shops, bakeries and cafes, restaurants, a bookstore and an art gallery with ever-changing shows. The bustling Toby’s Feed Barn, a general store and working feed barn that’s been around since 1942, offers coffee, yoga, a farmers’ market, author talks and more. A mecca for bicyclists and hikers heading to nearby trails and beaches, Point Reyes Station has a hip, friendly and rustic vibe, and it’s managed to maintain its small-town charm.—L.O.
pointreyes.org.
WRITER’S PICK
Nevertheless, She Persisted
It’s very heartening to see women of the world becoming more empowered every day. And sometimes, the only thing holding them back is the tools they need to strengthen their work and their voices. Enter Marin’s YWCA’s Fifty+ Program, the Best Place for Women to Get Back on Their Feet. The San Rafael nonprofit has been helping women 50 and over gain financial independence since 2000. A group of selfless women offers free services that include beginner and advanced computer classes in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel, skills for interviewing and networking, drop-in resume and interview coaching and advice on how to choose a career direction, to those who have either never worked, or need to work now, but don’t have the skills necessary to do it. Employment Specialist Nancy Richardson is a warm and caring person who goes above and beyond to help women find their way, and Administrative Assistant Gretchen Dean is always ready to help anyone who walks through the door. Truly dedicated to helping other women, this program is a gem.—L.O.
4380 Redwood Highway, Ste. A-1, San Rafael; 415.479.YWCA.
WRITER’S PICK
Aesthetic Ace
Grocery shopping can be one of those dreaded things that you have to do in between all of the other things on your list. And walking up and down the aisles of a large supermarket, with harsh overhead lighting and chilly temperatures, makes it even less appealing. Except if you choose to shop at the family-owned Nugget Markets, the Best Place for Grocery Shopping That Doesn’t Feel Like a Chore. They have a dozen locations in California, and the Novato store is pleasant as soon as you pull up and see the fresh produce arranged in bins outside. When you walk inside, you’re greeted by fresh flowers and a large selection of always-fresh and neatly displayed fruits and vegetables, many of them organic. The lighting is warm, the aisles are not too long or wide and everything seems to have a gourmet-but-homey feel to it, which makes it fun to browse for new things to eat. And you will find a lot of unusual, tempting items. But the best part of this market is the service. From the deli, to the bakery, to the meat department to the checkout, everyone serving you does so with a smile. The store is well-managed, so you’ll never have to wait long, and the cashiers always ask, sincerely, if you’ve found everything you wanted. At Nugget Markets, shopping is actually a joy.—L.O.
Nuggetmarket.com.
WRITER’S PICK
Wheels & Wildlife
When it’s sunny in Marin, there’s nothing better than getting out in nature. My first choice is always to head out on my bike to the Bay Trail at Hamilton in Novato, which ends up at Las Gallinas Wildlife Ponds, the Best Place for Biking and Birding in Marin. The trail is mostly paved, and perfect for walking or riding—but a bonus is the birds. As you weave in and out on the pathways that crisscross the ponds, depending on the season, you can spot swans, egrets, ducks, geese, herons (including the great blue), northern harriers, finches and sparrows. Pack some binoculars, and you just might spot some newly hatched babies. For a change of attitude, this place does not disappoint.—L.O.
lgvsd.org.
Full List of Best of Marin 2018 Everyday Winners
Best Accountant
Gary Winston
Best Antique Shop
Laurel House Antiques
Best Art Supply Store
RileyStreet Art Supply
Best Attorney
Roger M. Vosburg
Best Auto Body Repair
Blake’s Auto Body
Best Auto Dealer (new)
Toyota Marin
Best Auto Dealer (used)
Toyota Marin
Best Auto Detailing
Matt & Jeff’s Car Wash & Detail Center
Best Auto Repair
Easy Automotive
Best Barber
Barber Lane
Best Body Art Place (tattoo, piercing, etc.)
Spider Murphy’s Tattoo
Best Bookstore (new)
Book Passage
Best Bookstore (used)
Rebound Bookstore
Best Business Bank
Bank of Marin
Best Camera/Photography Store
Seawood Photo
Best Car Audio
City Car Radio
Best Chamber of Commerce
San Rafael
Best Clothing Store—Men’s
Gene Hiller: Fine Menswear
Best Clothing Store—Women’s
The Store
Best Consignment Store
Knimble
Best Consumer Bank
Bank of Marin
Best Costume/Festival Apparel Shop
The Belrose
Best Credit Union
Redwood Credit Union
Best Culinary Store
Dvorson’s Restaurant Supply
Best Digital Creative Services
Anna Trueman, Lotus Live Design & Social Media
Best Eco-Conscious Business
Bellam Self Storage & Boxes
Best Ethnic Market
Mi Pueblo
Best Event Production Services Company
Steve Restivo Event Services
Best Fashion Jewelry Store
Marin Jewelers Guild
Best Financial Advisor
Andrei Jigalin, Alpha Wealth Management & Planning
Best Fine Jewelry Store
Sofia Jewelry
Best Florist
Mill Valley Flowers
Best Framing Shop
Ringseis Designs
Best Furniture/Home Furnishings
Sunrise Home
Best Gift Shop
Columbine
Best Grocery Store
Mollie Stone’s Markets
Best Home Audio
World of Sound
Best Hotel/Resort
Cavallo Point
Best Hydroponic Supply Store
Marin Hydroponics
Best Judge
Roy O. Chernus
Best Law Firm
Kelley & Farren, LLP
Best Local Food Product
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company
Best Locally Made Retail Product
Miyoko’s Kitchen
Best Motorcycle/Scooter Shop
Motopia
Best Musical Instruments Store
The Magic Flute
Best Natural Foods Store
Good Earth Natural Foods
Best New Retail Business (opened in 2017)
Baba Yaga
Best Nonprofit
Whistlestop
Best Optical Store
20/20 Optical
Best Phone Repair
Gadget Pro
Best Pipe Shop
Telford’s Pipe & Cigar
Best Psychic/Medium
Kay Fahlstrom
Best Record/CD Store
Mill Valley Music
Best Recycling Center
Marin Sanitary Service
Best Senior Living Facility
The Redwoods
Best Senior Services
Whistlestop
Best Shoe Store
San Francisco Running Company
Best Tire Shop
Cains Tire
Best Tow Service
Redhill Towing & Auto Repair
Best Town Other Than Your Own
Larkspur
Best Transportation
SMART Train
Best Travel Agency
Dimensions in Travel
Best Vape Shop
The Mighty Quinn
Best Vintage Clothing Store
Baba Yaga
