2011 WINNERS!
One of Helena’s most distinguishing landmarks, Mount Helena, was voted Best Bike Ride, Best Day Hike, Best Place to Walk Dogs, and Best View
Photo by Dylan Brown Independent Record
2 ■ THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
Thanks to the hundreds of IR readers who voted for their favorites in the BEST OF HELENA!
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Best Art Gallery
Holter Museum of Art
see ad page 6
FASHION & BEAUTY Best Eyewear
Montana Eye Care Best Jewelry
Saunders Jewelry
see ad page 9
Eaton Turner-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
Best Kids’ Clothing
Best Local Band
Target
The Clintons
Best Men’s Clothing
Best Photographer
Macy’s
Megan Lane
Best Women’s Clothing
Best Artist
Macy’s
Bob Morgan
Best Place to Buy Shoes
Sole Sisters
see ad page 4
Best Hair Salon/Barber Shop
Hair Hair Salon & Spa
THANK YOU HELENA, FOR VOTING LUCCA’S BEST HELENA RESTAURANT!
Wed—Sun, 5pm—closing 56 N Last Chance Gulch 457-8311 U luccasitalian.com
$0/5&.103"3: t 3&-"9&% t *5"-*"/
Sugar-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
Best Place to Get Your Nails Done
Simply Nails
see ad page 8
Thanks Helena for voting us
Best Bike Shop! 336 Jackson • 443-5188 www.greatdividecyclery.com
THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■ 3
GOODS & SERVICES Best Antiques
Golden Girls
see ad page 12
Best Auto Dealer
Helena Motors
see ad page 10
Best Auto Repair [TIE]
Helena Motors Placer Motors
see ad page 10
Best Bead Store
Ben Franklin Crafts
see ad page 11
Best Box Store
COSTCO
Golden Girls owner Carroll Ann Day and her cat Copper have been voted best antiques for this year's Best of Helena. Dylan Brown Independent Record see ad page 12
Best Financial Institution
Best Car Wash
Woody’s Car Wash
Valley Bank
see ad page 15
Best Flower Shop
Best Carpet Cleaning
Harvest Cleaning Kleen King-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
Knox Flowers & Gifts
see ad page 12
Best Hardware Store
Rockhand Ace Hardware
see ad page 14
>>
Thank You Helena for Celebrating 37 Years with us! DINING SALOON & GRILL
Largest Selection of Beer and Wine in Town!
Best Outdoor Dining 443-5680 • 361 N. Last Chance Gulch • website: www.bertanderniesofhelena.com
Thank You for Voting Us Your #1 Furniture Store
R UCKERS FURNITURE Make the Quality Choice for Your Home at…
1010 DEARBORN HELENA 442-7234
HOURS: Mon - Fri 9:30 - 6:00 / Sat. 9:30 - 4:30 ruckersfurniture.net
4 ■ THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
GOODS & SERVICES
CONTINUED
Best Hobby/Craft Store
Ben Franklin Crafts
see ad page 11
Best Law Firm
Gough, Shanahan, Johnson & Waterman Best Pawn Shop
Alias Smith & Jones ABOVE: Blind Your Ponies, a novel by Stanley Gordon West, is on sale at Montana Book and Toy Company, voted best place to buy books. Eliza Wiley Independent Record
BELOW: Amanda Gifford tries on a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses Thursday in Montana Eye Care, which won Best Eyewear and Best Opthomoligist in Helena. Dylan Brown Independent Record
Best Place to Buy Books
Montana Book & Toy Co. Best Place to Buy Furniture
Rucker’s Furniture
see ad page 3
Best Place to Buy Pet Supplies
PetCo Best Plant Nursery
Valley Farms
see ad page 13
Best Store for Home Appliances
Vann’s Thanks for voting us Helena’s
BEST Bakery & BEST Desserts
44 South Park Ave.
449-8424
Thanks Helena for Voting Us Best Place To Buy Shoes
THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■ 5
SPORTS & RECREATION Best Bike Ride
Best Travel Agency
AAA
Mount Helena
see ad page 5
Best Bike Shop
Best Veterinarian
Bridger Veterinary Hospital
see ad page 8
Great Divide Cyclery
see ad page 2
Best Boat Ride
We won Best of Helena “Best Happy Hour” Because it’s Happy Hour all the time at Nickels! Live Poker Tonight 2100 North Last Chance Gulch • 443-5554 www.nickelsgaming.com
Thank You
for voting AAA the Best Travel Agency
Gates of the Mountains Best Boat Shop
One Way Marine Best Day Hike
Mount Helena
>>
THANKS HELENA FOR VOTING US
THE BEST HEALTH CLUB IN HELENA! Celebrating 32 years and counting... ATHLETIC CLUBS & HOT SPRINGS WESTSIDE You can count on AAA’s expert travel agents to find the best of everything, from deals on cruise vacations, to local weekend retreats and last minute bargains. It is just one of the many services AAA offers its members.
Travel with AAA Today. 2100 11th Avenue 406-447-8100
EASTSIDE
©
“the ROCK” Indoor Climbing Wall AT THE BROADWATER
The ultimate children’s recreational indoor playground!
Indoor rock climbing excitement!
6 ■ THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
SPORTS & RECREATION
CONTINUED
Best Fishing Spot
NIGHTLIFE Best Bar for a Stiff Pour
Missouri River
Windbag Saloon & Grill
Best Golf Course
Bar with Best Beer Selection
Fox Ridge Golf Course
The Brewhouse
Bill Roberts-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
Bar with Best Bloody Mary
Best Health Club
Silver Star Steak Co.
Broadwater Athletic Clubs
see ad page 9
see ad page 5
Best Sporting Goods Store
Best Casino
Last Chance Casino
Capital Sports
see ad page 10
Nickels-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes see ad page 5
Best Happy Hour
Nickel’s Gaming Parlour Best Karaoke
Riley’s Irish Pub Best Pool Table
Theron Ludlow comes into Riley's every Wednesday for the best Karaoke in Helena.
Miller’s Crossing Best Sports Bar
Dylan Brown Independent Record
Buffalo Wild Wings
Thank You, Helena, for Voting Us
BEST! HOLTER MUSEUM of ART
12 E LAWRENCE ST, HELENA, MT 59601 406-442-6400 WWW.HOLTERMUSEUM.ORG
The Quarry-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
see ad page 5
THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■7
FOOD & BEVERAGE Best Asian Food
Best Deli
Jade Garden
The Real Food Store
Best Bakery
Best Dessert
Park Avenue Bakery
see ad page 4
Best Breakfast
Park Avenue Bakery
see ad page 4
Best French Fries
Steve’s CafÊ
see ad page 13
Best Budget Lunch
McDonald’s Best Fresh Produce
Taco Del Sol
Van’s Thriftway
see ad back page
Farmer’s Market-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
Best Coffee Hut
>>
Starbucks Coffee
Thank you Helena! For voting the Blackfoot River Brewing Company the Best of Helena! Best Microbrewery Best Local Beer (Blackfoot IPA)
BLACKFOOT REAL GOOD BEER MADE BY REAL GOOD PEOPLE
Thank you Helena for voting us
Best Dental Office Dr. David H. Kiesling Dr. Ingrid S. McLellan Dr. Roger L. Kiesling
443-5526
121 N. Last Chance Gulch
4PVUI 1BSL "WFOVF t t XXX CMBDLGPPUSJWFSCSFXJOH DPN
www.kieslingdental.com
New patients and emergencies are welcome
8 ■THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
Thanks Helena for voting us
Best Veterinarian
Thanks for voting us #1 Best place to get your nails done. We provide our clients with quality service in a professional, relaxed atmosphere.
Bridger Veterinarian Hospital 443-5874 | 3104 Green Meadow Dr.
120 E Lyndale 443-4700 Dena Brown Mollie Plummer Becky Rehor Laurie McPherson
THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■ 9
CLOCKWISE:
Mollie Plummer, a nail tech at Simply Nails, performs a manicure on a regular customer recently. Simply Nails won best place to get your nails done. Eliza Wiley Independent Record.
Christy Fonger, left, and Meghan Doniak, both technicians at Bridger Animal Clinic, clip the toes of Ruby at their clinic on the corner of Green Meadow and Custer Drive. Bridger was voted best veterinarian. Eliza Wiley Independent Record. Saunders Jewelry won Best in Helena for their jewelry, like these pieces here. Dylan Brown Independent Record.
A One Way Marine customer looks over a Crestliner fishing boat in their showroom recently. In the foreground the steering and dash board of a Larson recreational boat can be seen. One Way Marine was voted best boat shop. Eliza Wiley Independent Record.
Samantha Villarin slides in a cheese bread into the stone oven in Bullman’s Wood Fired Pizza. Bullman’s won best pizza in Helena. Dylan Brown Independent Record. Bob Crum, a technician at Helena Motors works on a vehicle in their shop recently. Helena Motors and Placer Motors both tied for first for best auto repair. Eliza Wiley Independent Record.
Private Dining Casino Lunch Dinner
Thanks Helena for voting us ~ BEST Seafood ~ BEST Steak ~ BEST Bloody Mary silverstarsteakco.com 833 Great Northern Blvd. Reservations: 495-0677
Jewelry Saunders Jewelry & Design Thanks Helena for Voting Saunders Jewelry #1 Jewelry Store 21 N. Last Chance Gulch 449-2022
10 ■ THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
FOOD & BEVERAGE
CONTINUED
Best Hamburger
Windbag Saloon & Grill Best Ice Cream
Big Dipper Best Local Brew
Blackfoot River IPA
see ad page 7
Best Meat Department
Van’s Thriftway
see ad back page
Best Mexican Food
Emiliano’s
LAST CHANCE CASINO Thanks Helena for voting us
BEST CASINO! casino open 8 a.m. to 1 A.m. RESTAURANT OPEN 7 A.M. TO 10 P.M.
Taco del Sol won best budget food in Helena for 2011 for items like this Mission Supreme Burrito. Dylan Brown Independent Record
Thanks Thanks Helena Helena for for voting voting us us BEST BEST Dealership Dealership Thanks Thanks Helena Helena for for voting voting us us BEST BEST Service Service Department Department
442-4474 1001 N. Last Chance Gulch Helena
(406)442-6310 1-800-793-6731 3365 Hwy 12 East, Helena
THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■ 11
Best Microbrewery
Blackfoot River Brewery
see ad page 7
Best Milk Shake
The Parrot Best Outdoor Dining
Bert & Ernies
see ad page 3
Best Pizza
Bullman’s Pizza Best Restaurant
Lucca’s
see ad page 2
Best Romantic Restaurant [online only]
On Broadway Best Salad
Lucca’s McKenzie River-RUNNER UP, within 5 votes
Best Sandwich Shop
Staggering Ox
see ad page 13
>>
The Real Food Store won best deli in the annual Best of Helena reader poll. Dylan Brown Independent Record
Thank You Helena for making us your #1 Hobby & Craft Shop and Also Your #1 Bead Shop! HELENA… WE APPRECIATE YOU!
400 Euclid Avenue • 442-2040 Lundy Shopping Center • Helena • w w w.benfranklincraftshelena.com
12 ■ THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
FOOD & BEVERAGE
CONTINUED
Best Seafood
Best Chiropractic Office
Silver Star Steak Co.
see ad page 9
Best Steak
Capital Chiropractic
see ad page 13
Best Dental Office
Silver Star Steak Co.
see ad page 9
Best Supermarket
Van’s Thriftway
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Kiesling Dental
see ad page 7
Best Doctor see ad back page
Best Vegetarian Food
William Batey, MD Best Massage Therapy
The Real Food Store
see ad page 14
Wendy Fox, Hair Hair Best Optometry Office
Montana Eye Care Best Physical Therapy Thank you Helena for voting us
Manger Harrington
see ad page 14
BEST BOX STORE —We love being here!
2195 East Custer Avenue Helena, MT • 406-495-7042 Exit toward the airport on Custer
G G
Thanks olden Helena for irls Antiques Mall voting us #1!
10,000 square feet of
Quality Antiques & Collectibles carrollday@yahoo.com
42 dealers open every day Helena’s only antiques mall 505 N. Last Chance Gulch (406) 443-3893
Thank T Tha Th han ank k Y Yo You ou Helena for Voting Us ou tthe he h e B Best est e st F Flow wer Shop p in Helena!
10% O f f with h thiss co oup pon
442- 4070 M- F 9 tto o 5 • Sa S at. Sat t. 9 to 1 • Su Sun un. n. b by y ap appoin p oin po intm tmen tm entt on en only ly
THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■ 13
Thanks Helena for voting us THE BEST Chiropractic Clinic!
Dr. Ralf D Rallf Schurmann S hu a & D Dr. G Gary a yB Blom lo Chiropractic Physicians
Capital Chiropractic Center, P.C. 1732 Prospect Avenue, Helena 449-7458
Unique Annual & Perennial Plants
From your Friends at Steve’s
THANK YOU HELENA
for voting us Best Nursery
A Casual Cafe in the Heart of Montana
Drought Tolerant Planters
“Breakfast and Lunch Among Friends”
Same as Seen Hanging Downtown
Starting at
Thank you Helena for once again voting us your
$22 .95
Moss Rose, Lantana, Ivy Geranium
Complimentary Coffee Shack Coffee find us on facebook
458-5528 • 250 Mill Road • www.montanavalleyfarms.com Corner of Green Meadow & Mill Road (2 Miles North of Capital High School) Mon-Sat 8 :30am- 6 : 00pm | Sun 10 : 00am-5 : 00pm
BEST BREAKFAST U Unique nique B Breakfast reakfast S Specials! pecials! Open7 7d ayys//weekk 6 :3 30am to 2 :3 30pm Open7 days/week 6:30am 2:30pm
1225 East Custer • 444-5010 www.stevescafemt.com
14 ■THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011
“I’m looking for a thing-a-ma-jig with a whatcha-ma-call-it on the doodad–nobody else seems to have it.�
UNIQUELY HELENA Best Church Choir
St. Paul’s Methodist Church
Thanks Helena
Best Festival/Event
Alive @ Five
see ad page 15
for voting us
Best Park
#1 HARDWARE STORE
Women’s Park Best Place for Kids’ Fun
How many do you want?
Exploration Works Best Place for People Watching
Downtown Walking Mall
see ad page 15
Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners
Gates of the Mountains Best Place to Walk Dogs
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Mount Helena
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Best View
Mount Helena Manger-Harrington Physical Therapy, PC Michael J. Manger, PT John Harrington, MPT Donna Aline, PT Don Harris, PT Stacy Tureck, PT Tana Cromwell, MPT Megan Svee, DPT Christel Harrison, OTR, CHT
2525 Colonial Drive, Suite B (Colonial Professional Center)
449-4279 www.mhpt.com Insurance Accepted
UHDO I RR G P DUNHW GHOL
Thank you Helena for voting us THE BEST 2 years in a row!
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THE BEST OF HELENA • FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2011 ■ 15
LEFT: Payton Biegler takes a big bite out of a Big Dipper Mexican Chocolate ice cream cone. Big Dipper was voted best ice cream. Eliza Wiley Independent Record RIGHT: Sole Sisters was voted best place to buy shoes like these Utilitarian with distressed leathers style is a popular style this fall, like the Penny Loves Kenny boot, left, and the Miss Sixty boots, center and right. Dylan Brown Independent Record
Thanks Helena for Making Downtown the Best! Best Place for People Watching: Downtown Walking Mall
Best Festival/Event: Alive @ Five
14th Season!
www.downtownhelena.com (406) 447-1535
May 18 - Aug. 31
THANK YOU HELENA! We are honored to be chosen as the “Best Financial Institution” by the Helena community
North Montana Main Branch
Real Estate H.O.M.E. Branch
Eastside Branch
Westside Branch Lundy Center
Downtown Branch
Glacier Bancorp Family 406-495-2400
| www.valleybankhelena.com
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.
East Helena Branch
THANK YOU HELENA FOR VOTING FOR VAN’S THRIFTWAY! B E ST S U P E R M A R K ET !
AT B E ST M E N T ! ME D E P A RT
B E ST P R DEPA R ODUC E TM E NT !
LU N DY C E N TE R • 44 2 - 8 6 4 5 • O P E N 24 H O U R S