About Us  |   Advertise  |   Archive  |   Contact Us  |   My Account  |   Store  |   Intern  |   Subscribe  |  

Best of Madison 2012: Shops & Services

Body shops, yoga studios, pet day cares, spas and clothing stores–readers' favorite Madison shops and services of 2012

>>Yoga/Pilates/Wellness

GOLD: Dragonfly Hot Yoga

SILVER: Inner Fire Yoga | As the students for a lunchtime “Core Fire” class trickle through the lobby, Karen Erstad, program manager and instructor at Inner Fire Yoga, sits behind a desk and greeted each by name. It’s a warm space—and not just because the rooms crank up to 105 degrees for some hot classes. Pumpkin orange and sunflower walls, painted with words like joy and awaken, create a mood of rejuvenation and peace. “Our MO is if you’re going to come here, you’re going to have a workout,” says owner Marit Sathrum. “But it’s also more because the students learn the surrender part of it—the stillness.”  

BRONZE: Kneaded Relief Day Spa

>>Martial Arts Studio

GOLD: Villari’s Martial Arts Center | It’s Saturday morning and Villari’s Martial Arts Center on State Street is full of four- to nine-year-olds held at attention—giggling intermittently. The instructors file in for their class and the mood is friendly, educational and most of all respectful. Material distractions are not welcome in the studio—the color of the belt is the only distinguishing factor between students here.

SILVER: Badgerland Jiu-jitsu

BRONZE: Infinity Martial Arts

>>Bed & Breakfast

GOLD: Mansion Hill Inn | Summer is prime-time at the Mansion Hill Inn. Guest flock from all over the Midwest for a unique getaway in one of ten rooms at this downtown bed and breakfast. By day, guests can traverse the Mansion Hill area on retro Trek bikes. “It’s a really great spot if you’re into cycling,” says general manager Margaux Stutz. By night, the smell of freshly baked cookies permeates the air on the porches while guests sip nightcaps. 

SILVER: Arbor House

BRONZE: Speckled Hen Inn

>>Pet Day Care, Boarding & Pamperer

GOLD: Camp K9

SILVER: Ruffin ‘It Resort

BRONZE: Waggin’ Tails Doggie Dude Ranch and Pet Lodge | They start their dog days early. From 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. the door at Waggin’ Tails constantly opens to canines pulling their owners along, eager to reunite with their daycare friends and frolic in the hose. The mood is rambunctious and very close knit. “This businesses is kind of like being a bartender,” says Julie Bollenbach, the day care manager at Waggin’ Tails. “Over fifty percent of our clients come two to three times a week. We know everybody.” 

>>Alterations GOLD: Mary’s Tailoring SILVER: Monetti Tailoring BRONZE: Binh’s Tailoring	>>DJ for Hire GOLD: Juke Box Bandstand SILVER: Celebrations Entertainment BRONZE: B Kuhl Entertainment	>>Jeweler GOLD: The Diamond Center SILVER: TQ Diamonds BRONZE: Goodman’s Jewelers
>>Auto Dealer GOLD: Zimbrick, Inc SILVER: Jon Lancaster BRONZE: Smart Motors	>>Dry Cleaner GOLD: Klinke Cleaners SILVER: Lake Mills Cleaners & Dyers BRONZE: Best Cleaners of Madison	>>Lawn, Garden & Landscape GOLD: Bruce Company SILVER: Jung Garden Center BRONZE: Johannsen’s Greenhouses
>>Bike Shop GOLD: Budget Bicycle Center SILVER: Williamson Bicycle Works BRONZE: Machinery Row Bicycles	>>Fitness Center GOLD: Princeton Club SILVER: Harbor Athletic Club BRONZE: Capital Fitness	>>Music Instrument Store GOLD: Ward-Brodt Music Co. SILVER: Spruce Tree Music & Repair BRONZE: Guitar Center
>>Body Shop GOLD: Zimbrick Body Shop SILVER: Gates Auto Body BRONZE: Smart Motors	>>Fitness Shop GOLD: Fleet Feet Sports SILVER: Movin Shoes BRONZE: Endurance House	>>Music Store GOLD: Strictly Discs SILVER: Exclusive Co. BRONZE: B-Side
>>Bookstore GOLD: Frugal Muse SILVER: University Book Store BRONZE: A Room of One’s Own	>>Florist GOLD: Felly’s Flowers SILVER: Choles Floral BRONZE: George’s Flowers	>>Pet Store GOLD: Mounds Pet Food Warehouse SILVER: Mad Cat Pet Supplies BRONZE: Bad dog frida
>>Caterer GOLD: Blue Plate Catering SILVER: Cranberry Creek Restaurant & Catering BRONZE: Gaylord Catering Service	>>Furniture/Home Accessories GOLD: The Century House SILVER: Rubin’s BRONZE: Roughing It In Style	>>Shoes GOLD: The Shoe Box SILVER: Morgan’s BRONZE: Cornblooms
>>Clothing (Men) GOLD: Jazzman SILVER: Kohl’s BRONZE: Context	>>Gift Shop/Specialty Store GOLD: Orange Tree Imports SILVER: Pop Deluxe BRONZE: Little Luxuries	>>Spa GOLD: Aniu Salon & Spa SILVER: Kneaded Relief Day Spa & Wellness BRONZE: Ultimate Spa & Salon
>>Clothing (Women) GOLD: Bop SILVER: A Stone’s Throw BRONZE: The Purple Goose	>>Hair Salon GOLD: Aniu Salon & Spa SILVER: Hair on Monroe BRONZE: RZ & Company	>>Veterinarian GOLD: And Dogs Too SILVER: UW Veterinary Care BRONZE: Spring Harbor Animal Hospital
>>Consignment Store GOLD: Pink Poodle SILVER: ReThreads BRONZE: Betty Bling	>>Hotel GOLD: The Madison Concourse Hotel SILVER: Hilton Madison Monona Terrace BRONZE: The Edgewater Hotel	>>Wine & Spirits GOLD: Steve’s Wine, Beer & Spirits SILVER: Woodman’s Food Market BRONZE: Barriques