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READERS CHOICE

Best of Estes
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 11
By John Cordsen
Trail-Gazette
W
ith over 1,200
responses,
voting is over
for the 2014
Best of Estes contest. The
online poll allowed readers
to choose their favorites in
35 categories ranging from
best overall place to see in
Estes Park to the best plac-
es to eat, get a cup of cof-
fee, satisfy that sweet tooth
and to workout.
The top three readers
choices are listed below:
Best overall
place to see in
Estes Park?
1. Rocky Mountain
National Park
2. Stanley Hotel
3. Downtown/Riverwalk
Best overall
restaurant?
1. Wapiti
2. Dunraven Inn
3. Smokin Daves BBQ
Best Italian?
1. Dunraven Inn
2. Mama Roses
3. Sweet Basilicos
Best Mexican?
1. El Mex Kal
2. Ed s Cantina
3. Casa Grande
Best Asian?
1. Cafe de Pho Thai4
2. Nepals Cafe
3. Thai Kitchen
Best Pizza?
1. Chicagos Best
2. Poppys
3. Village Pizza
Best
Hamburger?
1. Wapiti Colorado Pub
2. Babas Burgers
3. Penelopes
Best Coffee?
1. Kind Coffee
2. Inkwell & Brew
3. Starbucks
Best Steak?
1. Twin Owls Steakhouse
2. Wapiti Colorado Pub
3. The Rock Inn
Best Breakfast?
1. Egg & I
2. Bighorn
3. Mountain Home Cafe
Best Lunch? -
581 votes
1. Wapiti Colorado Pub
2. Poppys
3. Nepal Cafe
Best Dinner? -
568 votes
1. Wapiti Colorado Pub
2. Dunraven Inn
3. Twin Owls Steakhouse
Best Dessert?
1. You Need Pie/Estes
Park Pie Shop
2. Stanley Hotel/Cas-
cades
3. Dunraven Inn
Best Bar?
1. Rock Inn
2. Wapiti Colorado Pub
3. Wheel
Best Sweet
Shop?
1. Lauras Homemade
Fudge & Candies
2. The Original Taffy
Shop
3. Rocky Mountain Choc-
olate Factory
Best Family
Attraction?
1. Rocky Mountain
National Park
2. Fun City
3. (tie)Cascade Creek/
Ride-A-Kart
3. (tie) Aerial Tramway
Best Outdoor
Recreation
Store?
1. Estes Park Mountain
Shop
2. Kirks Fly Shop
3. Hiking Hut
Best Tour
Company?
1. Green Jeep Tours
2. Rocky Mountain Rush
3. Kirks Fly Shop
Best Fitness
Center?
1. MedEx - 107
2. Rocky Mountain
Health Center
3. Cross Fit of Estes Park
Best Liquor
Store?
1. Rambos Longhorn
Liquor
2. Rocky Mountain Dis-
count Liquor
3. Mountain Dew Liquor
Best Florist?
1. Enchanted Florist
2. Safeway
3. Floral Designs of
Europe
Best Gift Shop?
1. Inkwell & Brew - 48
2. (tie)Trendz
2. (tie) Grey House
3. Rustic Mountain
Charm
Best T-Shirt
Shop?
1. Brownfields
2. Rocky Mountain Tops
3. Moosely Ts
Best Resort?
1. Estes Park Condos
2. Stanley Hotel
3. YMCA of the Rockies
Best
Hotel/Motel?
1. Stanley Hotel
2. Best Western/Silver
Saddle
3. Silver Moon Inn
Best Campsite?
1. Jellystone
2. KOA
3. Elk Meadow
Best Wedding
Venue?
1. Della Terra Mountain
Chalet
2. Stanley Hotel
3. YMCA of the Rockies
Best Bank?
1. Boulder Valley Credit
Union
2. Bank of Estes Park
3. Bank of Colorado
Best
Salon/Barber
Shop?
1. Two Blonds & A Salon
2. Sheer Magic
3. The Parlour
Best Auto
Repair?
1. Big O
2. Mountain Imports
3. Caseys Automotive
Best Home
Improvement/R
epair Services?
1. Ace Hardware
2. Park Supply
3. True Value Hardware
Best Pet
Care/Pet
Supplies?
1. Estes Park Pet Supply
2. Lindas Pet Care Ser-
vices
3. Animal Medical Center
Best Realtor?
1. Sam Basel
2. Mike Richardson
3. Christian Collinet
Best Real Estate
Agency
See READERS, pg. 17
Readers select Best of Estes
For more information on how I can help you
buy or sell your home in Estes Park, contact
me at sam@HomesInEstes.com or
www.HomesInEstes.com
For your trust and
support in choosing me in the
Trail Gazette
Best of Estes Readers Choice
as the # 1 Realtor in Estes Park
two years in a row!
Sam Basel, Owner, Broker, Real Estate Agent
12 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
place to see in
Estes Park?
Rocky Mountain National
Park
Best overall
restaurant?
Wapiti
Best Italian?
Dunraven Inn
Best Mexican?
See BEST, pg. 19
Trail-Gazette
W
inners in this
years 2014
Best of Estes
Readers
Choice awards are listed.
Many of the winners were
featured in this special pull-
out section of the Estes
Inside and Out.
Best overall
2014
Readers
Choice: Best
of Estes
Taylor Adam Swift / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Della Terra Mountain Chateau was voted the top wedding venue in the Estes Valley.
Thank you
Estes Park for
voting for Kirks Fly
Shop and
Mountain
The best fy shop in Estes and
also the rest of the United States
To Rocky Mountain National Park by
To Show our Appreciation
bring this ad in for
20% of your entire
store purchase
(good through the end of September, 2014)
To Find out why Kirks is the
number one fy shop in
Estes Park & Colorado
please visit the store.
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 13
in altitude.
The park has over 300
miles of hiking trails.
popular Bear Lake Road
that ends at Bear Lake,
which sits at over 9,000 feet
Trail-Gazette Staff
R
ocky Mountain
National Park
was the over-
whelming place
to see when visiting Estes
Park as selected in the
2014 Best of Estes Readers
Choice contest.
The park received more
than twice as many votes
as the next favorite place to
see, the historic Stanley
Hotel.
Rocky Mountain National
Parks 415 square miles
encompass and protect
spectacular mountain envi-
ronments.
Enjoy Trail Ridge Road,
which crests at over 12,000
feet above sea level. It
includes a number of sce-
nic overlooks.
Another key road is the
Rocky MountainNational Parkthe
placetoseewhenvisitingEstes
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Halletts Peak reflects off the glassy smooth waters of Bear
Lake.
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
A marmot poses along Trail Ridge Road.
338 East Elkhorn Avenue, Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 586-3330 www.mamarosesrestaurant.com
Mama Roses
Like us on Facebook
14 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
T
he big winner in the
2014 Readers
Choice Best of
Estes contest was
Wapiti Colorado Pub, who
took first place honors in
best overall restaurant,
best hamburger, best
lunch, and best dinner;
and, took second place in
best bar and best steak.
This is no surprise to
owner Tory Nelson, who
attributes the showing to
the restaurants total
switch to USDA humane-
certified feedlot beef from
Aspen Ridge of Kearsey
and the vibrant success he
has had with social media
and his rewards program.
A lot of folks here in
town belong to the rewards
program, explained Nel-
son, which gives partici-
pants points for every dol-
See WAPITI, pg. 16
Wapiti ColoradoPubamultiplewinner
Barb Boyer Buck / Estes Park Trail-Gazette
The Wapiti was the readers choice for best overall restaurant.
Thank you Estes Park for voting Estes Park Medical Center as Best of EstesBest Health Care Provider.
We are proud to serve this community.
Estes Park Medical Center 555 Prospect Avenue Estes Park, CO
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 15
wapiti frompage 15
lar they spend at Wapiti -
for every $100, rewards
members receive a $5 gift
certificate. There are other
promotions associated with
this program, including
birthday and anniversary
promotions. Digital mar-
keting has been huge,
Morgan said.
The flood and the result-
ing damage caused more
than 200 days of closure for
the restaurant in late 2013
and early 2014. The river
just behind the restaurant
(where the water wheel is)
was contained by its retain-
ing wall; but, the water that
was covering Elkhorn Ave-
nue could not be prevented
from entering the restau-
rant, which is located on
the lowest level of 247 W.
Elkhorn Avenue.
As Nelson and his wife,
Berenice, were being air-
lifted out of their home in
Glen Haven during the
flood, water came in (to
the Wapiti) down the walk-
way from Elkhorn, he
said. We had 3 feet of
water and mud in the res-
taurant, including a small
brook trout swimming in
our ladies restroom! The
water entered slowly, pre-
venting structural damage,
but the Nelsons could not
access Estes Park for more
than a week after they
were evacuated.
It fell to executive chef
Scott Rashid, who has
worked for the Nelsons
since they purchased the
business in 2005, and the
rest of the local kitchen
and front-of-house staff to
start bailing out the water
and shoveling out the mud.
The Wapitis landlord -
Dr. James Durward -
replaced all of the drywall
in the renovation of the
pub and the Nelsons took
advantage of the complete
renovation to make the
restrooms ADA compliant,
and expand the kitchen
facilities. Other changes
were necessitated by the
flood, including streamlin-
ing the menu.
I have basically a new
restaurant, Nelson said,
We did take the chance to
really go through our
menu and streamline
things to the guest favor-
ites, to focus on high quali-
ty and doing everything
that we do to the highest
level possible. Along with
the high-quality Colorado
beef, all ingredients are
locally or regionally sourc-
es whenever possible,
including Red Bird chick-
en. There are vegetarian
and gluten-free options on
the menu as well.
These efforts have paid
off: We were up consider-
ably over last year, the sup-
port we had from the town
and our guests was phe-
nomenal, Nelson said. The
business took advantage of
a low rate disaster recov-
ery business loan offered
by the SBA to make the
repairs and renovation to
the facility. Nelson is so
grateful to this crew - 90%
of his employees came
back after the long closure
of the restaurant.
I think from a business
standpoint, we are within a
percent of last year, which
was a record year. The
town and various market-
ing districts and boards did
a great job of getting peo-
ple back. Nelson predicts
it will be an additional
three or four years for full
financial recovery. The Nel-
sons purchased the Wapiti
in 2005; originally from
Nebraska, both Tory and
Berenice have been work-
ing in Estes Park since
1995. They met at Nickys,
where they both worked.
Barb Boyer Buck / Estes Park Trail-Gazette
Chef Javier Camacho of Wapiti and one of his first-place win-
ning hamburgers in the restaurants renovated kitchen.
Barb Boyer Buck / Estes Park Trail-Gazette
The Wapiti bar was the readers second choice.
Thank you to our loyal fans!
See you soon,
your tables waiting...
Now
Serving Dinner
16 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
From 1979-1994, the Dun-
raven was owned by Julius
Schneidkraut, who offered
Italian cuisine at the prop-
erty. Dale and Laurel
Hatcher purchased the
business in the mid-90s
and performed additional
renovations to the proper-
ty. The current owners are
Andy and Cindy Moran
who purchased the busi-
ness in 2011. The practice
of hanging decorated $1
bills in the bar and lobby
area of the restaurant
began in the 1970s, when a
customer wrote good
luck on a bill and gave it to
the owner. This tradition
continues today, and the
Morgans occasionally
remove worn and faded
bills and donate them to
charity.
was named The Dunraven
in 1970, after it was pur-
chased by Neil Quirk, who
did extensive renovation.
raven was built as a restau-
rant in the 1930s and
named The Holland Inn. It
food and a variety of appe-
tizers. The Dunraven offers
a comprehensive gluten
free menu and a kids menu
as well. The Dunravens
four-page wine list offers
numerous varietals.
The original building
which houses The Dun-
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
T
he Dunraven Inn,
located at 2470
Highway 66 in
Estes Park, special-
izes in Italian cuisine and
for the second year in a
row, was voted Best Italian
Restaurant in the Best of
Estes contest. The restau-
rant also received second
place in the Best Overall
Restaurant category in the
2014 competition.
We are honored to be
mentioned in the best of
Estes park, said Andy
Morgan, owner. The Dun-
raven, which enjoys a brisk
year-round business, has
seen increased business
this year. We have had a
record year and it has been
way up every month of
2014, Morgan reported.
Menu items include tra-
ditional pasta and steak
dishes, as well as fresh sea-
DunravenInnrepeats as
readers choicefor best Italian
Barb Boyer Buck / Estes Park Trail-Gazette
The Dunraven Inn was the readers choice for best Italian Restaurant.
readers
frompage 12
1. First Colorado Realty
(Mike Richardson; Chris-
tian Collinet; Lori Smith;
Judy Nystrom; Brad Bar-
nett ; Becky Davis; Jack
Smith)
2. Alpine Legacy (Sam
Basel; Julie Abel)
3. Coldwell Banker -
(Dave Kiser ; Scott Thomp-
son; Mary Murphy ; Wayne
Newsom ; Vicki Holler ;
Kathleen Baker )
Best Insurance
Agent?
1. State Farm - (Susan
Fereday; Suzanne Riley)
2. Insurance Associates
of Estes Park - (Julie
Phares ; Shelley Doggett;
Nancy Tulley ; Jamie Reed
; Ray Leacraft; Marcy Pred-
more )
3. American Family -
(Danielle Arnold - 9; Ameri-
can Family )
Best Health
Care Provider?
1. Estes Park Medical
Group (Estes Park Medical
Center)
2. Timberline Medical
(University of Colorado
Health)
3. Results Physical Ther-
apy of Estes Park
Breakfast Lunch
Burgers Omelets
Mexican Specialties
Wraps Sandwiches
Salads & more
457 E Wonderview Ave
Upper Stanley Village
Estes Park
(970) 586-6624
www.mount ai nhomecaf e.com
457 E Wonderview Ave
Upper Stanley Village
Estes Park
(970) 586-6624
www.mountainhomecafe.com
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 17
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
T
he Estes Park Pie
Company/You
Need Pie was voted
best dessert in the
readers choice contest for
2014. Serving a variety of
pies and baked goods, the
business located in lower
Stanley Village, also serves
breakfast and lunch. Wed-
ding cakes, cupcakes, and
other specialty items can
be ordered at the shop.
Thank you Estes Park
for needing PIE! said Val
Thompson, owner and
chief baker. We are
thrilled to be up and run-
ning in our location in Low-
er Stanley Village, and
Rick, Haddi and Val are
excited to be in Estes Park
making pie and great food
every day!
The move to our current
location has given us the
opportunity to expand the
menu into breakfast and
lunch items and were feel-
ing great about the chang-
es weve made.
As longtime Estes Park
locals, we especially appre-
ciate this award - to be vot-
ed Best Dessert is both
humbling and awesome at
the same time! Hope to
see you all in the shop
soon...after all You Need
Pie!
The Thompsons first
opened their bakery on
Elkhorn Avenue in 2006
and then in 2013, they
moved to their current
location.
Like everybody, busi-
ness has suffered in Estes
Park after the flood,
Thompson said, But we
have great local support,
we had a fine winter and a
great summer!
Readers say thebest dessert
is theEstes ParkPieCompany
The Estes
Park Pie Com-
pany/You
Need Pie was
voted the best
place in Estes
for desserts
in the 2014
Best of Estes
contest.
Barb Boyer Buck /
Estes Park
Trail-Gazette
We invite you to sample a selection of
award-winning Colorado wines.
Guided Winery Tours
www.snowypeakswinery.com
292 Moraine Avenue, Estes Park, CO
970-586-2099
29
18 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
C
hicagos Best was
opened in down-
town Estes Park
in 1998 by the
Kerkamidis family.
Since then, the business
was purchased by the origi-
nal owners son, Stasi Kerk-
amidis, and his wife, Kelli.
The menu includes
gyros, sandwiches, salads
and of course, their award-
winning Chicago-style piz-
za, for which they were vot-
ed #1 for best pizza in the
Readers Choice Best of
Estes contest.
Chicagos Best is located
in the heart of downtown
Estes Park at 112 E. Elk-
horn Avenue.
Kerkamidis opened
Babas Burgers in May of
this year.
This brand-new ham-
burger joint, complete with
drive through, is located at
861 Moraine Ave. and won
second place in the Best
Hamburger category.
Reviews on their Face-
book page rave about the
quality and value of their
hand-pressed ground
chuck hamburgers; other
offerings, such as hot dogs,
gyros, grilled chicken
sandwiches, and greek-
style french fries are also
offered at Babas.
Chicagos
Best is
readers
choicefor
best pizza
Barb Boyer Buck / Estes Park Trail-Gazette
Trail Gazette readers chose Chicagos Best as their top pizza in town.
Babas Burgers, owned by the
Kerkamidis family was the read-
ers second choice for best burger
in town.
best frompage 13
El Mex Kal
Best Asian?
Cafe de Pho Thai 225 W.
Riverside
Best Pizza?
Chicagos Best
Best
Hamburger?
Wapiti Colorado Pub
Best Coffee?
Kind Coffee
Best Steak?
Twin Owls Steakhouse
Best Breakfast?
Egg & I
Best Lunch? -
votes
Wapiti Colorado Pub
Best Dinner? -
568 votes
Wapiti Colorado Pub
Best Dessert?
You Need Pie/Estes Park
Pie Shop
Best Bar?
Rock Inn
Best Sweet
See BEST, pg. 20
Voted
Best of
estes
Best Mexican
cuisine
2013 & 2014
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 19
best frompage 19
Shop?
Lauras Homemade
Fudge & Candies
Best Family
Attraction?
Rocky Mountain National
Park
Best Outdoor
Recreation
Store?
Estes Park Mountain
Shop
Best Tour
Company?
Green Jeep Tours
See BEST, pg. 21
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
MedX was voted the top fitness center by readers.
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Yhe Estes Park Mountain Shop was the readers choice for best recreation store.
YOUare the
of our
business
HEART
1640 Big Thompson Av
Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 586-8583
www.RambosLonghornLiquor.com
Q
RAMBO'S LONGHORN LIQUOR MART
Q
Readers Choice
Best of Estes
2013, 2014
WINNeR
20 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
best frompage 20
Best Fitness
Center?
MedEx
Best Liquor
Store?
Rambos Longhorn
Liquor: 1640 Big Thomp-
son has been serving Estes
Park for 38 years as a fami-
ly owned and operated
business. In that time they
have listened to the com-
munity of locals and tour-
ists, held tastings and done
our research so that they
can offer you a wide and
unique selection of beers,
wines, and spirits
Best Florist?
Enchanted Florist: 162
St. Vrain is a full service
florist offering beauty for
every occasion. Let us help
See BEST, pg. 25
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Lauras Homemade Fudge and Candies was the top sweet shop in town.
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
The Rock Inn bar was voted the best by readers.
here.
Call 970.372.2819 for an appointment. Same-day appointments available.
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 21
he said. The flood really
brought attention to the
working class here in Estes
Park, that half of them are
on the other side of 34 and
36 and the other half are
working two jobs because if
they dont, they cant afford
to live in this community.
The residence building
that is included with the new
wellness center complex will
be designed to house profes-
sionals, he said, including
police, fire department,
teachers, and nurses in long-
termleases so they can live
locally. I dont have to do
that, I want to do that for the
community, he said. I real-
ly want to work toward creat-
ing a year-round economy.
Another way that The
Stanley Hotel is addressing
changing customer base is
by creating several intimate
wedding spots on the prop-
erty, including a new wed-
ding lawn. There is a new
customer coming to Estes
Park, Cullen said, They are
looking for more intimate,
quiet wedding venues.
groups are starting to book
at The Stanley again.
Another issue that was
highlighted by the flood was
the lack of local housing for
the work force. Just after the
flood when Cullen request-
ed a facility report from his
engineering department, he
was informed that the entire
engineering department did
not live locally - they were
stuck east of Lyons, separat-
ed from Estes Park by the
washed-out roads.
Collectively, I lost 30
years of knowledge of this
building, because they
couldnt get here, he said,
theres no question recov-
ery would have been a lot
quicker if the engineering
team had been able to help
after the flood. In fact, Cul-
len reported, he lost about
50% of his work force after
the flood.
Labor (in Estes Park) has
been one of the greater chal-
lenges I have faced globally,
even with over a dozen
hotels in foreign countries,
a parking lot going west,
what weve done by so edu-
cating Colorado, weve
essentially over-scared them
that they dont come up 36
when they could be from
downtown Denver to here in
an hour and 15 minutes, and
maybe have a 15-minute
delay. Instead they are going
on a three-hour parking lot
adventure to Breckenridge.
People who have travel
10-12 hours to get to Estes
Park dont worry about the
extra 15 minutes, Cullen
said. Weve seen a 14-15%
increase in states outside of
Colorado and its all individ-
ual transients. They spend
good money, and they are
good shoppers, he said,
explaining he knows that
because the housekeepers
at The Stanley complain
about cleaning up so many
shopping bags from the
rooms, many more than in
previous years.
This trend made up for
the loss in Colorado visitors,
Cullen said, and in Septem-
ber and October, corporate
ous year, but the hotel host-
ed an entirely different cus-
tomer and customer mix
this year. Weve had huge
increases (in visitors) from
Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Louisi-
ana and a small increase
from California. Colorado is
actually down, he said,
including Front Range cor-
porate bookings. Cullen
attributes this trend to the
extensive reporting on the
highway 34 and 36 delays
and closures by local and
regional media.
It seems to me the closer
you are to Estes Park, the
stories and bulletins about
routes 34 and 36 have kept
people from Fort Collins,
Loveland, Boulder, and Den-
ver away from us, he said.
This was unfortunate
because it gave an incorrect
picture of the actual delays
created, especially com-
pared to traffic conditions
on other mountain high-
ways. You only have to look
at the traffic reports from
CDOT now to see that I70 is
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
T
he Stanley Hotel
once again received
top honors in the
best hotel category
in the 2014 Readers Choice
Best of Estes contest. The
iconic hotel also placed sec-
ond in best resort, best wed-
ding venue and best des-
sert, it was designated as
the number two place to see
in Estes Park.
This is the happiest I
have ever been to place sec-
ond, said John Cullen, We
spent our year trying to win
an election, where second
was not an option. But in
this case, on the eve of their
100th anniversary, I am hap-
py to come in second place
behind Rocky Mountain
National Park (named #1
place to see in town). Cul-
len is the owner of the Stan-
ley Hotel and president of
the Grand Heritage Hotel
Group.
These last 12 months
have been a difficult and
emotional time for everyone
in Estes Park, Cullen
explained while talking
about the hotels recovery
since the flood. I think The
Stanley came through with
shining colors, not only
immediately after the flood
but also in its community
involvement. We won an
election and we are going to
spend $31 million in the
next 18 months (on the new
wellness center complex).
But these developments
were hard won, he reported;
the flood presented many
more challenges, and
brought to light more local
issues, than could even be
imagined.
Cullen reported The Stan-
ley is up about 6% over the
same months of the previ-
Stanley Hotel readers
choiceas theplacetostay
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
The historic Stanley Hotel was the Readers choice for best hotel. It was also voted the second best place to see, behind
Rocky Mountain National Park.
22 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
T
he Twin Owls
Steakhouse, located
at the Black Canyon
Inn at 800
MacGregor Avenue was
crowned once again for
having the best steak in
Estes Park. Their elk
medallions even made
mention in National Geo-
graphics 2014 Best of the
World under the best trips
winner Rocky Mountain
National Park. This is the
second year Twin Owls has
held the best steak title in
town.
Twin Owls offers casual
fine dining, wed-
ding receptions and special
events. The restaurant
offers steak, seafood, a
kids menu and a compre-
hensive wine list.
TwinOwls
Steakhouse
repeats as
best steak
intown
Twin Owls was vot-
ed to have the
best steak in the
Estes Valley.
342 E Elkhorn Ave, Estes Park, CO 80517
(970) 586-8282
www.poppyspizzaandgrill.com
Thank you
to our patrons and to the
People of Estes Park for voting
for Poppys in the Best of Estes
Readers Choice survey.
0517
u
Like Us!
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 23
so much. The summer of
2014 has been a great- we
have visited with our
returning guests, sharing
stories from the flood and
the rebuilding; seen new
faces, including people
who said they came specifi-
cally to support us and
Estes Park; and of course,
enjoyed seeing all of our
local favorite faces in the
sea of busy-ness!
meeting/working space as
well.
KIND wouldnt be the
shop it is without our amaz-
ing staff, year-round and
seasonal alike! said Ham-
mrick.
This summer, and really,
since the flood, we have
felt the love from this com-
munity and continue to
give back to it. Thank you
It is a popular choice for
locals and visitors alike,
year round. The shop has
tall storefront windows,
showcasing the surround-
ing views of Lumpy Ridge
and to the north and east of
the store, outdoor seating
provides excellent views
along the Riverwalk. A qui-
et room at the back of the
shop offers a comfortable
tures fresh roasted coffee
(roasted off-site at another
location), full barista ser-
vices, breakfast and lunch
items, and other beverage
choices. Also available for
purchase are quaint gifts,
coffee-related products and
coffee by the pound, which
is roasted at their roasting
facility on the west end of
Elkhorn Avenue.
By Barb Boyer Buck
Trail-Gazette
K
IND Coffee once
again took top
honors in the
Readers Choice
Best of Estes contest in the
coffee category, outpacing
all other nominated by a
wide margin. The retail
shop is located at 470 East
Elkhorn avenue and fea-
KINDCoffeerepeats as readers
choicefor thebest cupof coffee
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
KIND Coffee was readers choice for the best coffee in town.
24 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
best frompage 21
you relay your feelings of
joy, sorrow, and gratitude
to your friends and loved
ones. We offer floral
arrangements, permanent
botanicals, plants, balloon
bouquets, plush, and much
more.
Best Gift Shop?
Inkwell & Brew located
at 150 E. Elkhorn
Best T-Shirt
Shop?
Brownfields 350 E. Elk-
horn is Estes Parks favor-
ite souvenir and outdoor
store. Offering the highest
quality at the best prices,
shopping at Brownfields is
a tradition for locals and
visitors alike. They are cel-
ebrating our 59th season of
See BEST, pg. 26
D. Holmes / Estes Park Trail Gazette
The Egg & I was voted best breakfast in Estes.
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Big O was voted the best auto repair in Estes.
Discover The only Full
service resorT in esTes Park
www.TheestesParkresort.com
1700 Big Thompson ave. estes Park, co
970-577-6400 855-377-3778
Spread over 5 acres of pristine lakefront land, The Estes Park Resort offers comfort and
elegance paired with sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains. The only waterfront resort
on Lake Estes, our hotel features more than just spacious accommodations. Guests can
indulge in mouth-watering dining at the Waterfront Grille, Speak your vows amongst the
beauty of the Lake and Mountains, relax with a spa service or gather around our freplaces
for cozy conversation
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 25
best frompage 25
business in Estes Park.
Best Resort?
Estes Park Condos:
Best
Hotel/Motel?
Stanley Hotel
Best Campsite?
Jellystone: 5495 U.S. 36
South of Estes Park
Best Wedding
Venue?
Della Terra Mountain
Chalet
Best Bank?
Boulder Valley Credit
Union
Best Salon/
Barber Shop?
Two Blonds & A Salon
Best Auto
Repair?
Big O
Best Home
Improvement/R
epair Services?
Ace Hardware
Best Pet
Care/Pet
Supplies?
Estes Park Pet Supply
Best Realtor?
Sam Basel
Best Real Estate
Agency
First Colorado Realty
(Mike Richardson; Chris-
tian Collinet; Lori Smith;
Judy Nystrom; Brad Bar-
nett ; Becky Davis; Jack
Smith)
Best Insurance
Agent?
State Farm - (Susan Fere-
day; Suzanne Riley)
Best Health
Care Provider?
Estes Park Medical
Group (Estes Park Medical
Center)
Juley Harvey / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Estes Park Pet Supply was voted the best pet supply in Estes.
Courtesy Photo / Estes Park Trail
Gazette
Sam Basel was voted the
top Realtor
The Estes Park
Medical Center was
voted best medical
provider.
Courtesy Photo /
Estes Park Trail Gazette
26 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT
Clouds cling low over the
peaks of the Continental
Divide west of Estes Park.
This issue of the Inside and
Out celebrates the Best of
Estes.
Walt Hester /
Estes Park Trail Gazette
Above
the
divide
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
The Riverwalk along the Big Thompson in Estes Park was
voted the third best location to see in town.
The Riverwalk: a
good place to see
BEST WESTERN PLUS Silver Saddle
ThaNk yoU ESTES PaRk
for voting us Runner Up in the Best of Estes; Best hotel/Motel.
We are proud of our history and our Changes.
ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 27
Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail Gazette
Rocky Mountain National Park was voted the best family attraction in the 2014 Best of Estes, Readers Choice contest.
Rocky selected best family attraction
28 SEPTEMBER 5, 2014 ESTES PARK INSIDE & OUT

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