Readers’ Choice 2014 Continued from previous page
character that becomes a part of its customer’s life. George Tom and his four siblings carry on the tradition started by their father, Tom Wing Kee, in San Francisco in 1961. 888 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park | 326-0888
Lingerie For high quality European lingerie, readers say they prefer Ela Lingerie, a full-service boutique with a large inventory of elegant lingerie and sleepwear in a wide range of sizes. Co-owner Marcia De Lima says the shop specializes in personal service and carefully selects merchandise from manufactures and designers. The store is designed with antiques and soft lighting to create a relaxing environment. Customers with special needs can special order merchandise to their liking. 1139 Chestnut St., Menlo Park | 796-0768
New Retail Business The winner for favorite new retail business is Traditionally Derby, which many readers say is Menlo Park’s new go-to place for furniture and home accessories. Taking over the site formerly occupied by Traditions, Traditionally Derby features a wide selection of traditional and transitional household items, including Kindel Furniture, works of art from Dorothy Draper, and painted Italian urns. Owner Eileen Bocci says the staff is made up of friendly customer service employees and experienced interior designers. “If you have a vision for what you want to achieve,” the store’s website says, “our goal is to help you accomplish that vision.” 850 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park | 521-0778
Convenient Parking Mats & towels included Private showers on-site Coded keypad lockers Two state-of-the-art studios
Marsh Manor Shopping Complex 3750 Florence Street Redwood City, CA 95063 650-298-VIBE
Pet Store The Pet Place owners Lynn and Marc Macy are devoted to serving both animals and their human companions. The store offers a wide selection of
Photo by Michelle Le
Brian Flegel of Flegel’s Home Furnishings in Menlo Park. products and goes the distance in helping solve problems and meet needs, from finding the right diet to referring a customer to a veterinarian, sitter or trainer. The Pet Place hosts rescue groups and shelters, and helps with adoptions and in finding temporary and permanent homes for animals. 777 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park | 325-7387
Produce Receiving an already opened package of dried mangos as a gift might raise some eyebrows (something this writer experienced), but knowing that it came from Sigona’s Farmers Market makes it more acceptable. And wow, so many choices — more than 250 kinds of artisan cheese alone — all fresh, organic and locally grown. The open-air market offers fresh-cut flowers, seasonal olive oils, and microbrews and wine, in addition to fruits and vegetables. It can
be hard to resist. 39 Stanford Shopping Center, 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto | 368-6993
Shoe Store Jim Gothers, co-owner with wife Lisa Taggart of Fleet Feet Sports, winner for best shoe store, says customers “love the personalized attention, the inclusive, non-judgmental approach, and education that our people provide.” The staff genuinely cares about helping people get into the right gear to help them achieve their fitness goals, he says. The store offers weekly fun runs and training groups, including two starting in August: training for the Nike halfmarathon and the “No Boundaries” program for beginning runner who want to finish a 5K. “We make all runners feel welcome, whether they are trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon, training for an ultra, or simply looking to get off their couch and trying to complete
Thank you For Voting Us Best Yoga
Located roght off HWY 101
www.vibeyogaca.com vibe yoga studio
Photo by Michelle Le
Eileen Bocci, owner of the home furnishings shop, Traditionally Derby, which won for new retail business. 36 N The Almanac N TheAlmanacOnline.com N July 23, 2014