Congratulations to all of our 2015 Sparkle & Shine Business of the Year Award Nominees!
Here is some information about each outstanding business.

Benck Accounting & Tax Services
New Business of the Year Nominee

In Evergreen for two years, Benck Accounting & Tax provides tax and financial support solutions for artists and local small businesses. By providing more than just standard tax and accounting services, Benck Accounting allows business owners to focus on what is important (service, creativity) without worrying about the challenging financial aspects of running their business. Owner Jeannie Benck is an involved Evergreen volunteer with the Salvation Army during the holidays.

 

Big Kahuna BBQ
People's Choice Award Nominee

A mobile caterer of slow cooked meats, Big Kahuna BBQ features a 21 foot pit BBQ on wheels, given the nickname, "Big K". They also have a permanent location in Golden, Colorado. To help accommodate his catering and special event efforts, owner Jeff Stumpf has expanded his fleet with three smaller pit BBQs that now join the original Big K. Big Kahuna BBQ has been recognized for their slow-cooked BBQ meats in the Denver Post. They are a frequent catering vendor for the Colorado Convention Center, as well as the Western Stock Show.

 

Blue Quill Angler
People's Choice Award Nominee

Blue Quill Angler is a full-service fly shop and guide service located in Evergreen, providing anglers in the Front Range and beyond with top quality gear and education since 1988. Their staff are all seasoned veterans with many years of guiding/fishing experience and all are all very passionate about fishing! The Blue Quill Angler sells the highest quality fishing gear, and also offers guided fly fishing trips to a multitude of public and private water destinations in the Rocky Mountain region.

 

Colorado Serenity Magazine
People's Choice Award Nominee

Focused on spreading local stories and highlighting local businesses, Colorado Serenity provides a free publication that reaches Evergreen and surrounding communities. Dedicated to working with all local businesses, Serenity offers local nonprofits discounted (or free) advertising, and financially supports several charitable organizations, including Mount Evans Home Health Care and Hospice.

 

EChO Resale Shop
People's Choice Award Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

The EChO Resale Shop is a significant contributor to the Evergreen community by providing a place where goods can be recycled for the benefit of everyone, from clothing to housewares and electronics. Evergreen residents have a place where they can donate well-loved items, and where those items can support other residents in need. This circle allows for the generosity of the donors to remain in Evergreen, and for the items to find new homes within the community.

 

Evergreen Clothing Company
People's Choice Award Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

Evergreen Clothing & E-Town Outlet have an extensive array of Evergreen imprinted apparel to suit the latest fashions for all. Last year's "Business of the Year" winner, Jim Sherwood and company consistently find ways to keep giving back to the community, as well as have fun in their store.

 

Evergreen Players
People's Choice Award Nominee

In Evergreen for 65 years, the Evergreen Players bring talent and entertainment to the Evergreen community. Whether bringing in talent, or helping local talent grow, EP provides the community an opportunity to get involved in live theater in a very personal, hands on way. Dedicated to the benefit of the community, EP events have been fundraisers for local charities, as well as providing free offerings to those who may not otherwise have the means to enjoy a performance.

 

Evergreen Park and Recreation District
Business of the Year Nominee
People's Choice Award Nominee

From creating gardens and enhancing open space to providing childcare, camps and fitness programs, EPRD is involved in almost every aspect of Evergreen, increasing the quality of life for residents as well as enhancing the beauty of the area.
The Evergreen Park and Recreation Department hires local contractors to create each new project, including the recently completed accessible trail, and provides grants for community parks and infrastructure improvements.

 

Essentials for Health
New Business of the Year Nominee

Dedicated to health and wellness through ideal body weight management, Essentials for Health brings positive health alternatives to Evergreen residents. Owners Jen Knodle and Jody Benefiel feel that bringing together active lifestyles with good nutrition is reflective of the Colorado state of mind, and they support this perspective through their volunteer efforts in the local communities.

 

Foothills Center for Spiritual Living
New Business of the Year Nominee

Open for only 6 months, the Foothills Center for Spiritual Living has already become entrenched in the Evergreen community through event sponsorship and volunteer commitments. Focused on bringing a spiritual alternative to the area, FCSL utilizes local residents and businesses to complement their services of childcare. They feature local authors in their bookstore and encourage community learning through the offering of workshops that enhance leadership skills.

 

Hands on Fire Massage
People's Choice Award Nominee
New Business of the Year Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

Dedicated to supporting Evergreen residents in their health needs, Hands on Fire offers massage services to the Evergreen area and surrounding communities. Focused on reaching as wide of a population as necessary, HoF has offered services in ways that support the needs of disadvantaged youth, veterans and seniors to allow them the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of massage at a discounted rate. Staff volunteer in the community, and participate in community fundraisers and networking events.

 

Highland Haven Creekside Inn
People's Choice Award Nominee

Focused on making beautiful memories, the Highland Haven has been an active member of the Evergreen landscape for over 36 years. HH partners with Evergreen residents and businesses to enhance the experience of those coming to its beautiful property, where everything from corporate meetings to weddings take place. With long term ownership, the HH highlights the benefits of an Evergreen vacation to all of its out of town guests, bringing new customers to the area who enhance the economic prosperity of the community. Owners and staff alike volunteer extensively in the community, especially focused on the art community and events.

 

Inspired Fitness
People's Choice Award Nominee

Inspiring creative fitness routines in the Evergreen area for over nine years, Inspired Fitness brings courses like kickboxing, fit barre and others to residents who are looking for ways to stay fit and energized. Dedicated to community awareness, IF encourages their instructors and students to advertise their businesses to each other, sponsors shopping nights, happy hour events and charity fundraising. They participate in a national philanthropic education organization focused on education for women.

 

K2 Signs and Graphics
New Business of the Year Nominee

K2 Signs and Graphics pride themselves on providing the business community with exceptional customer service, quality products and pricing they deserve. K2 teams with their clients by listening to their needs during every step of the signage process, from design and layout, to printing and installation. Everything is created in-house, assuring clients that it is done locally, and delivered on time. They continue to be committed to the community of Evergreen and it's surrounding mountain towns.

 

King Soopers, Evergreen
Business of the Year Nominee

Established in the community to bring quality food access, King Soopers focuses on being not only a great community supporter, but also a great place to work. Long term employees, dedicated management and community allegiance brings together a group of people who lead the greatest donation source in the Evergreen area. Specifically partnering with EChO, King Soopers works to find ways to benefit the local community, whether through catering or financial donations.

 

Lariat Lodge Brewing Company
People's Choice Award Nominee
New Business of the Year Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

Dedicated to creating a place "where the locals go", the Lariat Lodge is housed in a historical building in east Evergreen and offers locally brewed beers, as well as a full menu. LL encourages community awareness by featuring local artists' work on the walls, hosting local bands every weekend and hosting community meetings and events. Open for just one month, owners and staff are actively engaged in volunteering and sponsorship opportunities.

 

MindBlown and Janet Redford
People's Choice Award Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

Encouraging community success through their website and business coaching services, MindBlown is dedicated to bringing visibility to local businesses and nonprofits. Sharing marketing services to increase local business success, they are also dedicated to helping new businesses flourish and grow in Evergreen. When they see an unmet need, they are dedicated to volunteering services to the benefit of their clients, as well as volunteering in the community overall.

 

Mountain Vet to Pet
Business of the Year Nominee

Mountain Vet to Pet provides both mobile, and conventional veterinary services to the Evergreen, Colorado community.
Dr. Lisa Warren established Mountain Vet to Pet in 2004 after realizing a need for a more personalized, team approach for providing compassionate veterinary care for local pets and their caregivers.  Dr. Warren combines the service of home veterinary care with her fully equipped veterinary clinic, providing a qualified and friendly support staff, diagnostic equipment, including blood analysis and a state of the art digital radiography, and a comprehensive surgical suite.

 

Pupperdups
New Business of the Year Nominee

In Evergreen just over a year, Pupperdups is bringing pet grooming to a new level of service. Owner and staff both participate in the grooming process, focusing their time and talent on each pet individually. The environment is both pet and owner friendly, with personable staff who enjoy interacting with each customer. Dedicated to educating owners on their pets' health and wellness, Pupperdups stocks Colorado created products and frequently cross networks with other pet focused organizations to meet local pet owner needs.

 

Seasonally Yours Evergreen Taffy & Fresh Fudge Too!
People's Choice Award Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

More than just great fudge and fun gifts, Seasonally Yours is often the first stop for a lot of Evergreen newcomers and visitors, which allows them to serve as an advocate for all things Evergreen. Knowing that their interaction can cause a visitor to become a resident, SY treats all customers as if they are family, sharing stories of local events, other businesses and great sites in order to encourage the visitors to get to know Evergreen during their visit.
Owners and staff are involved in community events, and have worked to strengthen the relationships among the downtown businesses.

 

Stagecoach Sports Grill
Business of the Year Nominee

Relentlessly focused on community promotion, the owners of the Stagecoach Sports Grill repeatedly open their location (and hearts) for community events, visibly promote other businesses, partner on community events and encourage their staff to volunteer in the community. Open early and late to accommodate community groups - from the Kiwanis to the Bunco Ladies - the SSG knows that being a part of the community means being available when needed. Even during a trying time after a significant break in, owners and staff remained hopeful and helpful to the community at large, including providing space and resources to generate a successful fundraiser for the late Greg Henika.

 

Suzie's Boutique
New Business of the Year Nominee

Suzie's Boutique has jumped into the community with not only a quality and customer service oriented store, but they have donated measurable time and money to numerous charitable organizations in the community. They provide stellar customer service and have a "no lady left behind" attitude. Stylish clothes for all body types.

 

Tupper's Team
People's Choice Award Nominee

Over 200 families a year are assisted by the talent in Tupper's Team of real estate professionals when they start looking in Evergreen. In business since 1988, Tupper's Team knows that bringing in new residents is a community wide job, and often partners with other local businesses - including the Chamber of Commerce - to showcase all that Evergreen has to offer. Deeply focused on enhancing professionalism in real estate transactions, TT has been part of the professional standards committee nationwide, teaches ethics across the state and believes that raising the bar on real estate transactions benefits everyone. Always cultivating a culture of volunteerism and service, TT's members have immersed themselves in the community through sponsorship and participation.

 

The Harris Law Firm
Business of the Year Nominee
New Business of the Year Nominee
People's Choice Award Nominee

Open since January 2015, the Harris Law Firm Evergreen office is run by two local attorneys who know the value of local connections. Connected to Colorado's largest family law firm, the local office brings the statewide expertise to the residents of Evergreen, combined with the intimate knowledge of the local area issues and challenges. Plans are underway to identify activities that will allow the members of the firm to be supportive of the community through sponsorships and volunteer efforts.

 

Vertical Skills Academy
People's Choice Award Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee
New Business of the Year Nominee

The only school in the greater Denver area focused on language based learning disabilities, the Vertical Skills Academy brings to Evergreen an expertise usually found only in large cities. In addition to focused learning, instructors at VSA work to promote the local community to the students and their families, with experimental learning trips where students can enjoy local restaurants and stores, entertainment services and boutiques. Networking with other schools to bring their trained instructors to students unable to attend VSA full time, the instructors often serve as private tutors to community families.

 

The Wild Game Entertainment Experience
People's Choice Award Nominee
New Business of the Year Nominee
Business of the Year Nominee

Dedicated to community entertainment, the Wild Game brought to Evergreen a safe place for residents of all ages to find fun recreation without leaving town. The WG also serves as a great working environment for students of all ages, and currently has over 20 Evergreen High School students employed. Sponsorship is important to the owners and staff, and together they have sponsored over 20 events in the Evergreen community in the past year, as well as numerous events for local nonprofits. One group, with special needs adults, utilizes the facility to bowl and socialize in a safe setting, while another focuses on seniors who wish to have a place to share memories and watch movies.