[best of missoula] Best Book Store The Book Exchange There’s nothing like inhaling that “old Kindle smell,” amirite? No? Well, if you prefer to get away from a screen and spend an afternoon on a comfy seat in a brick-and-mortar store, The Book Exchange offers a well-curated selection of good, old-fashioned books, from graphic novels to kids’ tales, trade paperbacks to an extensive collection of books from local authors. And college students take note: The Book Exchange often has texts that are required by university courses, often for a great deal. The Book Exchange: 2335 Brooks St, 728-6342, booksmontana.com Finalists, Best Book Store 2. Fact & Fiction: 220 N. Higgins, 721-2881, factandfictionbooks.com 3. Barnes & Noble: 2640 N. Reserve, 721-0009, barnesandnoble.com
Best CDs and Music, Best Store for Gifts Rockin Rudy’s Whimsy is a powerful factor in gift-giving. It makes birthdays, Christmas and anniversaries unpredictable, light-hearted and fun. While an inflatable deer mount or a Dammit Doll might not be the most useful possession, it’s surprising what some people put in the “must have on a desert island” category. Rockin Rudy’s may not have it all in the literal sense, but they come darn close. Plus, those endless rows of CDs are guaranteed to contain the perfect tunes for even the oddest musical tastes. Rockin Rudy’s: 237 Blaine, 542-0077, rockinrudys.com Finalists, Best CDs and Music 2. Ear Candy Music: 624 S. Higgins, 542-5029, earcandymusic.nu 3. Hastings: 2501 Brooks St, 542-1077, gohastings.com Finalists, Best Store for Gifts 2. Butterfly Herbs: 232 N Higgins Ave, 728-8780, butterflyherbs.com 3. The Artists’ Shop: 127 N. Higgins, 543-6393, missoulaartistshop.com
Best Dry Cleaner, Best Laundromat The Green Hanger Doing laundry can be an obnoxious chore, but it feels more like a relaxing experience in the freshsmelling Green Hanger, where soap and wi-fi are free and the vending machine sells candy for 75 cents. Bring your laptop to get some work done, and you’ll have your chore done in what feels like no time. Want to save even more time? Just drop off your clothes and the Green Hanger staff will dry clean your buttondowns and slacks or dresses and blouses. The Green Hanger: 146 Woodford St., 728-1948, 960 East Broadway, 728-1919, facebook.com/greenhanger
Missoula Independent Page 26 Best of Missoula 2013
Finalists, Best Dry Cleaner 2. Missoula Textile: Multiple locations, 543-5171; missoulatextiles.com 3. Fresh Natural Cleaners: 1132 SW. Higgins, 542-8100, freshnaturalcleaners.com Finalists, Best Laundromat 2. Sparkle Laundry: 812 S. Higgins, 721-5146 3. Mullan Station Laundromat: 3420 Mullan Rd, 721-5989
Best Furniture Store Wagner’s Wagner’s is Missoula’s only dealer of Stressless™ chairs, definitely the most righteous recliners ever to come out of Norway. But the family-owned Missoula institution is also so much more. Wagner’s is celebrating its 60th year, having grown from its modest Front Street beginnings into a sprawling showroom perched on the hill at 39th Street, offering a seemingly endless selection of first-class furniture for every room in your house. Wagner’s: 916 SW Higgins Ave, 728-3214, wagnershomefurnishings.com Finalists, Best Furniture Store 2. The Living Room: 2610 S. Reserve, 721-1340, thelivingroomfurniture.com 3. Furniture Row: 3411 N Reserve St., 728-3420, furniturerow.com
Best Hobby/Craft Store Treasure Chest Every time we walk into the Treasure Chest, we feel compelled to create, build and play. Paints, beads and model airplanes line the store’s shelves, as do baking supplies, craft paper and small yet burly off-road vehicles (they’re toys, but look like they could handle the harshest terrain). The Treasure Chest is equipped to satisfy the most experienced craftsperson. It’s also capable of assisting novices. The hobby shop offers a wall of magazines that itemize lessons on crafts, including ornament and necklace making, floral arraignments and faux finishes, among others. And the Treasure Chest’s staff seems especially eager to offer tips. “We’re doing fairy gardens this summer,” says clerk Judy Donovan, pointing to fairy teapot homes and a small sleeping fairy figurine. It’s a magical place, indeed. Treasure Chest: 1612 Benton Ave, 549-7992 Finalists, Best Hobby/Craft Store 2. Michael’s: 2850 N. Reserve, 542-0128, michaels.com 3. Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft: 1900 Brooks St, 543-5244, joann.com