This page is a courtesy for both customers of mine and for the local businesses below who are reputable, excellent at what they do and consider customer service the starting point of a successful business. I have lived in Fort Collins for 20 years and this is my list of the best Fort Collins businesses.
A&A Appliance Service
Phil 970-310-0981
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=8578733079073840411
Phil is a retired old timer from back East and owns an appliance service in Fort Collins. He is a rarity these days as someone who has been in the same field for a while. He is affordable, trustworthy, makes house calls and knows your machines.
Autobahn West Mercedes
Mike 970-482-4300
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=6538574606382645406
Mike is a Mercedes Zen Master, totally knows his stuff and 100% reputable. I have an old Mercedes that I mostly work on myself, but when I get stuck he has been a big help with my special vintage needs.
Bashkin Guitars
http://www.bashkinguitars.com/
In 1998 Michael blew up his TV and started his own guitar building company. Besides making guitars he also does all kinds of customizations, setups and repair.
Big Deal Tire & Wheel
970-224-0977
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=4981201860024461735
I have been using these guys since the mid 90’s, and started by buying inner tubes for river rides. There are some real sleazy tire places in Fort Collins, but the Big Deal Guys, like all the people on this list, believe that treating people fairly and not screwing them makes things right in their universe. Their prices are always excellent.
The Broken Everlys
Satchel Gleason
http://www.myspace.com/thebrokeneverlys
Satchel’s band the Broken Everlys is the best bar band I have ever seen. After checking them out at their regular gig on Monday nights at Appaloosa Grill in Denver, you’ll start imagining how cool it would be for them to play at a huge party you would throw for all your friends. You have got to see them live! Aside from their originals they have the best taste in cover tunes I have ever heard.
Dr. Cory Carroll Family Practitioner
Foothills Family Care 970-221-5858
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=4451282317178355292
After becoming totally pissed off and cynical about doctors who either seemed bored or too much in a hurry to answer questions, Dr. Carroll was recommended by a friend. Aside from being a tireless advocate for national health care reform and working to affect those changes in Colorado, he also walks the walk in his own practice by doing things like rejecting all drug industry enticements and back rubbing. So while you are not likely to get free drug samples from him, you are also not going to get prescribed a drug of unknown efficacy because he was wined and dined by drug reps.
My first checkup with him was a relaxed meeting that lasted nearly an hour and a half. He asked me questions and then followed up with more. I felt like I was in a parallel universe where the doctors really like to take time to get to know the person they are treating, in body and in mind. He is a progressive-thinking physician, not intimidated by alternative therapies, who keeps up with contemporary discussions in medicine and new ideas -- a Western medicine practitioner with a holistic approach. He tries his best to keep costs down where he can for his patients and takes most insurance.
In short, Dr. Carroll’s practice and proactive style of care will far exceed your expectations. It was a lucky day for me when he became my doctor.
Colorado Worm Man - Worm Composting
John Anderson 970-407-9076
http://www.cowormman.org/
You may have seen John driving around in his Wormbulance van. He can set you up with everything you need to know about the ease and value of sustainable worm composting in your back yard or business.
Denis Segal Massage
970-203-4867
Denis is a kind big guy who looks like he could knead you into a dough ball if he wanted, so during my first massage I asked, “Why not the brutalization?” His explanation was that muscles will release and relax in their own time and if you push them too much they will respond less in kind. After having been made worse by unintuitive massage therapists who felt like they were working out THEIR stress on my body, I liked his approach. Don’t get me wrong, you WILL feel like you’ve had a massage. He is the still the best massage I’ve ever had. His price is $30/hr, yes unbelievable, but his holistic and professional approach will impress you and at those prices you can actual make massage a regular part of your life.
Dre’s Customs
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=802302567187758307
Dre opened his own auto repair shop in 2006 and spent much of that first year helping me with some annoying problems that were plaguing the 1968 Mercedes I had recently bought, ending with turning my automatic transmission into a manual. After my car was shot 7 times one night while I slept in a hotel in Denver, Dre did an excellent job of body work on the door. Luckily, he had quite of few years of body repair in his history. He is kind of an all around fix it guy when it comes to cars. But because he keeps his overhead low as a two man show, his prices are very competitive. He is a patient, good guy who will treat you right.
Evolve Rolfing & Wellness
Erika Olsen
http://www.evolverolfing.com/
Since 2003 Erika has been following her dream of starting her own business and providing holistic healing in Fort Collins.
Lauri Pointer Healing Touch
http://www.lauripointer.com/
My policy with alternative healing is very simple, does it work at a level that clearly exceeds the power of my hope that it will? (In other words, the placebo effect.) I am a healthy skeptic, and Laurie has a special talent that is worth your investigation.
Ras Ka Restaurant
970-581-3894
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ras-Ka/42142884697
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=3223037488968476817
Hanna, the owner of Ras Ka cooks because she loves to make people happy by feeding them. Going to Ras Ka is a whole experience. Try it sometimes when you are feeling a little down or lonely. You will leave her restaurant and step into a new day. She puts her love and her heart into the food, and you will taste and feel the difference. This is excellent, healthy well-made soul food that sustains you. The place is small and cozy, but you are likely to find yourself chatting with another customer or Hanna even if you normally wouldn’t. That is part of what she creates. You’ll immediately feel right at home. Am I raving about Ras Ka? Yes.
RNR Supply
970-493-1225
http://www.rnrsupply.com/
RNR specializes in plumbing and general water related parts of your house. They have been around since 1970 and easily know more about plumbing than any store in the area. Just bring your part in. They will usually look at and tell you who made it and what you need to fix it. They are an old time local business meaning they'll be able to chat with you for a while and help you figure out your game plan when it comes to complicated jobs or old and exotic plumbing. They are an antidote to the big box home repair places and like any local business need your support lest all their experience become a thing of the past in Fort Collins.
I often walk in stressed out and leave feeling better.
Royal-T Rooter Service
970-224-3700
http://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=1869790337294510284
I have used Royal-T since 2003. They are always quick, friendly (affordable for plumbers) and reputable. They are a hard working group of people.
Performance Tune Auto Repair
http://www.performancetune.com/
Rob and Anne Cagen own Performance Tune. If you are searching for a garage that you would feel safe recommending to your grandmother, Performance Tune is one of those family-run places you can trust to do a great job and not take advantage.
Tyler Morris Woodworking
http://www.tylermorriswoodworking.com/
In 1997 Tyler Morris decided to follow his dream and opened his own woodworking company. He sells his elegant, locally made products all over the world.
Urban Monk Studios
Saja Butler
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Urban-Monk-Studios/146668755385459
In 2007, Saja also decided to take a chance, give up her 9 to 5 and follow her dream of teaching and playing music. Aside from leading the Storm Mountain Band, she provides affordable singing and guitar lessons. She has an excellent rapport with her students and is a huge favorite of parents looking to get their children started in music.
Yum Yum Restaurant
970-493-7937
http://www.yumyumsfortcollins.com/
I have been eating at Yum Yum since the early 90’s. To this day, they still have the best hummus, baba ghanoush and tahini sauce I have ever had, easily the best Mediterranean food in Fort Collins. The place is owned and operated by a Lebanese family. How do you know you are in the right Middle Eastern restaurant? Middle Easterners are eating there. This is excellent, healthy, well-made soul food that makes you feel good. Strike up a conversation with the mother about food and you will see her eyes brighten. The food she creates is one of her favorite topics.
Zeke Weeks Web Design
http://zekeweeks.com/
While I can handle creating or updating a basic website, Zeke is the guy you’ll want to call if you have an actual website budget and are looking for some bells and whistles. By day he is a web strategist at One Tribe Creative.