Head to Toe, BOSB‘06

You Can Never Look Too Good

Thursday, October 19, 2006

By D.J. Palladino

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Consignment Store

The Closet

1213 State St., Ste. L, 963-8083

Sometimes it’s not always easy to leave it. Billing itself as Santa Barbara’s “Hippest resale boutique,” The Closet is open every day. But on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, The Closet is open to take in consignment clothing, which means fresh stock and buying and trading frenzies. Like Heraclitus’s river, it’s new each time you step into it.

Finalist Jessica

Hair Salon

Walter Claudio Salon Spa

11 W. Figueroa St., 963-7579

“There are lots of great places to get your hair cut in town,” admitted Lauren Watkins, “but we pride ourselves on really taking care of the customer.” They use Aveda products and get lots of in-store education sessions, and they keep up with fashions. “But we have a lot of great clients, and we try hard to treat them right,” Watkins said.

Finalist Underground Hair Artists

Nail Salon

Artistic Nails and Spa

5801 Calle Real, Goleta, 964-7588; 322 Paseo Nuevo, 560-0633

“Maybe we got so good because we try our best with every client,” said the Paseo Nuevo store’s manager Vu Nguyen. “We also give away a lot of coupons, and at City College we give away student discounts. I think those are the reasons that people like us. Oh, and we are very good at what we do, too,” he said.

Finalist Skin Deep

Day Spa

Avia Spa

350 Chapala St., 730-7303

“I don’t know why we win,” said assistant manager Michelle Ridd. “Maybe because we have the best therapists, the best aestheticians, and we offer a great variety of stuff — it’s a salon, it’s a spa, and we have tanning. Hmm, what else. Oh yeah, it’s a beautiful location.” The corner of Gutierrez and Chapala? “Well, the building is beautiful. And we’re very happy the readers voted for us.”

Finalist Camille the Day Spa

Women’s Clothing Boutique

Blue Bee

911½ State St., 897-1137

“We’re super excited, we’re super surprised, and we’re super grateful,” said Marty Bebout who co-owns Blue Bee with John Doucette. Only six years ago, they moved the business here from Los Angles because they wanted to live in S.B. And Santa Barbara has returned the compliment by making Blue Bee huge. “We’re humbled,” he said. “And we always want to be working harder, setting our bar higher. Like I said, we are super grateful.”

Finalist Natasha

Place to Get Men’s Clothing

Banana Republic Men’s

101 Paseo Nuevo, 966-5553

It was an independent store that turned heads so fast that the Gap made a move, purchasing it in 1985. While the fashions are aimed at men between the ages of 20 and a young 50, the store has a wider variety of clothes than the name seems to suggest. It’s always been difficult to shop for men in this town, for some strange reason — maybe because the male sartorial urge tops out at shorts in this paradise climate. And BR has that aspect covered for sure. But the readers’ confidence suggests it has long pants, too.

Finalist Men’s Wearhouse

Place to Buy a Hat

Green and Yellow Basket Shop

911 State St., 965-7722

There has been a store named Green and Yellow Basket Shop on State Street since 1950. The present owners, Ed and Susie Dougherty, bought the place in 1976 and don’t really sell baskets anymore, though for a long time that was the stock in trade. When we called Ed, he was unpacking hats, coincidentally. “The fall season,” he laughed. “But we sell a lot of them and we have a lot of variety. The best thing is that young men are starting to wear hats now. If that takes off, it’ll be great for us. Maybe it will go back to what it was like in the 1940s when all men wore hats. That would be great.”

Finalist Nordstrom

Vintage Store

Yellowstone Clothing Inc.

527 State St., 963-9609

The Big ’80s are big again, in vintage stores. At least that’s what Stephanie Haugen, who co-owns Yellowstone with her husband Paul, believes — and she ought to know. They’ve been running a biz that began in Isla Vista way back before the Big ’80s began — 1974 to be exact. Throughout the years the store has gathered such a rep that now big designers come in and buy stuff. “Later, I’ll look in their catalogue and say, ‘Oh my god, there’s that western shirt they bought, only it’s been changed a bit.’” Stephanie doesn’t mind; it’s the business they chose, and it’s been big. “We are very fortunate,” she said.

Finalist Victorian Vogue and The Costume Shoppe

Place for Eyewear; Sunglasses Selection

Occhiali Fine Eyewear

7 W. Canon Perdido St., 963‑5760; 1046 Coast Village Rd., Montecito, 565-3415

This is one of those awards very few would dispute. Almost 19 years in the business here, owners Salli and Irwin Eve’s Occhiali has great fashions, great sales, an unbelievably fun and helpful staff, and Irwin’s own winning personality parked behind everything he does. “We really care that when people leave here, they look wonderful,” said Irwin. “I think my staff is really good, too,” he said. Most of S.B. would agree, and if boys are making passes at girls who wear glasses and vice versa in this town, you can bet Irwin is pleased.

Finalists Place for Eyewear: S.B. Eyeglass Factory; Sunglasses Selection: Sunglass Hut International

Women’s Shoe Store; Men’s Shoe Store

Nordstrom

17 W. Canon Perdido St., 564-8770

Since they first built the place in the late 1980s, Nordstrom has dominated awards for footwear. Part of the reason is a selection that includes high-end fashion — although you could probably pay more on Rodeo Drive. The other reason, of course, is the generous return policy. It’s hard not to get a leg up shopping for shoes there.

Finalists Women’s Shoe Store: Nine West; Men’s Shoe Store: Foot Locker

Place to Get a Facial; Beauty Products Store

Skin Deep

3405 State St., 687-9497

Native Santa Barbarans, the Hasche sisters built their empire in a part of town that gets an inordinate amount of attention from our readers. (Upper State has Chaucer’s, Harry’s, Danny’s, and Skin Deep, to name a few.) It’s almost a club, with people going there for product, facials, coiffure adjustment, and fabulous gifts. Tina Hasche is very excited about winning. “Skin Deep is women working with women, serving and supporting women of all ages and walks of life. And we provide products and services to help them feel good about themselves and look fabulous to boot!”

Finalists Place to Get a Facial: Avia Spa; Beauty Products Store: American Beauty Supplies

Tailor

Justo The Tailor & Cleaners

3009 State St., 682-6633

Best known for rapid turn around, Justo brags about same-day service if you’re in by 10 a.m. By that afternoon, your zipper will work nicely and your hem won’t drag. They offer dry cleaning as well, and life is just a tiny bit better knowing the Justo folks are standing by as you face your next couture catastrophe. The readers were happy to give them their stamp of approval.

Finalist Lee’s Tailoring

Thrift Store

Alpha Thrift

5624 Hollister Ave., Goleta, 964-1123

This longtime institution on State Street made the news recently for its swift departure — the victim of vertiginous rent increases, according to reports. Savvy folks know Alpha as a big low-cost clearinghouse for unbelievable treasures other folks inexplicably gave away. It’s a good spot for furniture, clothing, knickknacks (some paddywhacks, we are told), and lots of books. But now you must travel to Goleta for your rummage, forage, and deal-seeking activities in Alpha, because downtown it isn’t anymore.

Finalist Magnolia Antiques and More

Dry Cleaner

Ablitt’s Fine Cleaners

14 W. Gutierrez St., 963-6677

In 1984, Neil and Sue Ablitt, both from families in the cleaning business, helped their company build a reputation for picking up and delivering to small companies around town, gradually building a strong following among young professionals. Meanwhile, lots of other people heard about the service as well as such customer amenities like easy resolutions of spot disputes. Two years ago, the Ablitts’ daughter Sasha took over the four-generation family biz and will likely be present when clothes are no longer picked up but instead teleported to the Ablitt’s Cleaners hovering near the corner of State and Gutierrez.

Finalist One Hour Martinizing

Craft Store

Michaels Arts & Crafts

187 N. Fairview Ave., Goleta, 967-7119

It’s a chain that stretches from this country into Canada, and one of the chief advantages of that fact is that pricing can be kept low with giant buying power, according to assistant manager Marlene Enger. It also means there are astounding varieties of Styrofoam, canvases, brushes, papers, cotton stuff, and the dazzling plentitude of whatnots. Enger agrees there’s lots of cool stuff. “We don’t have everything in the universe, but we have a lot,” she said.

Finalist Craft Essentials

Barber Shop

Danny’s Custom Styling

3337 State St., 687-7915

Sam Huerta was born in Fresno to a family of barbers, including his father, grandfather, and uncles. His father told him he would be a barber, so he’d better get ready for barber college. That was 43 years ago, and seven years ago he bought Danny’s, which has been in business since the 1960’s when the Beatles released their first records. “People like it here because we’ve got a lot of old barbers,” he laughed, adding that he is one of the few left in town who will do a shave. “Plus, this shop has a great view of the mountains, and when a beautiful woman walks by, the customers always say, ‘You do have a nice view,’” said Huerta.

Finalist Arturo’s Family Haircutting