auto crew who knows your car as well or better than you do. These folks can map out a vehicle’s needs months in advance. Oil change? Get it done now. Heat shield welding? Make an appointment a little ways down the road. Drivers don’t like surprises, especially when there’s a long trip coming up. And Kent Brothers gets that, which is why they do their best to make sure that when something needs fixing, you’re fully prepared. Kent Brothers Automotive: 127 S. Fourth St. W, 728-1747, kentbrothersautomotive.com Finalists, Best Auto Repair 2. Unique Auto Service: 1414 Montana St, 728-3144, missoulaautoservice.com 3. Hellgate Conoco: 711 E. Broadway St, 728-9966, conocophillips.com
Best Car Wash Happy Days Bob Brunner produced 37 episodes of “Happy Days,” and wrote 15 of them. Not the bulk of the series, by any means, but he is responsible for the infamous fifth season three-part opener where Fonzie goes to Hollywood and winds up jumping over a penned shark on water skis. It was such a nakedly desperate attempt at pumping life into a sagging series that the phrase “jump the shark” is used to describe the moment when anything overreaches and becomes a parody of itself. Fortunately for Happy Days Car Wash, they are still cruising along as Missoula’s favorite, with no sharks on the horizon. That deserves a big thumbs up. As Fonzie would say, “Ayyyyyy!” Happy Days: Multiple locations, 728-5527
Finalists, Best Car Wash 2. Dazzlers: 2610 Radio Way, 728-6262 3. Splash: 2050 Cooper St, 721-3743
Best Garden Center Caras Nursery We love spending summer afternoons at Caras Nursery. Standing in the middle of the sprawling garden center overflowing with brightly colored petunias, daffodils and geraniums, along with ornamental trees, native plants and roses, it’s hard to resist feeling inspired to make our yard come alive, too. Caras’ outstanding selection of veggies and seeds provides further motivation to cultivate one’s green thumb. If you don’t feel up to tackling a garden project, don’t worry—Caras staffers are always happy to share their expertise on ways to transform your yard into a showcase. Caras Nursery: 2727 S. Third St. W, 543-3333, carasnursery.com Finalists, Best Garden Center 2. Pink Grizzly: 1400 Wyoming St, 728-3370, montanawreaths.com 3. Ace Hardware - Fancy Plants: 1101 Burlington Ave, 532-3478, montanaace.com
Best Ranch Supply Store Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Whether you’re a ranch hand, or just like to dress like one, Murdoch’s has you covered. The ranch supply store has an amazing supply of afford-
ably priced rugged wear for people of all shapes and sizes. Bonafide ranch hands will especially appreciate that Murdoch’s is way more than a clothing store. The West Broadway retailer also sells nearly everything one needs to care for bees, chickens and horses. Equine offerings include halters, nutritional supplements and Mane n’ Tail Shampoo, which, we’ve learned from experience, leaves human hair soft and silky, too. Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply: 2801 W. Broadway, 549-2355, murdochs.com Finalists, Best Ranch Supply Store 2. Cenex: 4570 N. Reserve St, 543-8383, cenexmt.com 3. Axmen: 7655 US Highway 10 W, 728-7020, axmen.com
Best Pawn Shop Liquid Assets Liquid Assets owner Kevin Pfau takes stock of the 17 Best of Missoula awards hanging inside the shop and surmises that Liquid Assets’ success can be chalked up to an emphasis on quality. “We don’t deal in junk,” Pfau says. “We just really try and deal with good, solid, quality merchandise.” During Liquid Assets’ 20 years of business, Pfau and his wife Lesa have built a solid reputation as honest brokers who drive hard bargains—good traits for pawn shop owners. And, as the Pfaus hang their 18th Best of Missoula award, traits that have earned our readers’ respect, as well. Liquid Assets: 434 N. Higgins, 542-6606, liquidassetsmissoula.com
Finalists, Best Pawn Shop 2. Downtown Pawn And Gun: 219 W. Broadway St, 549-8622 3. 1st Interstate Pawn: 3110 S. Reserve St, 721-7296, facebook.com/1stinterstatepawn
Best Lawyer Paul Ryan If you’re looking for an attorney with the tenacity of a bulldog, Paul Ryan is the guy. Ryan’s a Missoula native who, during his past seven years in private practice, has built a solid reputation as an attorney capable of unsnarling even the messiest legal entanglement. This year, that reputation earned him the business of Markus Kaarma, who shot and killed German exchange student Diren Dede on April 27. Within hours of the shooting, Kaarma secured Ryan’s representation. The case stands to be this year’s most watched. If Kaarma trusts that Ryan can help clear his name, perhaps you should, too. Paul Ryan: 218 E. Front St, 542-2233, paulryanlaw.com Finalists, Best Lawyer 2. John Velk: 523 S. Orange St, 543-0909, missoulaautoservice.com 3. Marty Judnich: 2419 Mullan Rd, 721-3354, judnichlaw.com
Best Pet Care/Boarding Quick Paws Inspired by her energetic dog, Tannah, Charla Bitney has spent 10 years building Quick Paws. During that time
missoulanews.com • Best of Missoula 2014 [41]