shopping and services Best Dry Cleaners vapor Cleaners 1193 10th St., Monterey (831) 375-5221, vaporcleanersmonterey. com Even Mack and the Boys might have an occasion to look spiffy. When you need professional intervention, there is beloved Vapor Cleaners. They’ve been around since 1921, so it isn’t farfetched to think John Steinbeck or Ed Ricketts might’ve brought a collared shirt in for sprucing. Whether you need gentle handling of a special gown or a pick-me-up for an everyday item, they’ve got you covered here—and with an eco-conscious approach to boot. Best Laundromat Sudz Cyber Laundry 709 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove (831) 324-4920, sudzcyberlaundry.com If you are a laundromat with a fanbase, you know you are fluffing and folding like no one else. In addition to fluff and fold service, Sudz has every size of washer and dryer imaginable for the DIYers who enjoy the meditative task of cleaning clothes. Sudz is always pristinely clean, has free Wi-Fi and a complimentary coffee and tea bar. Sure, Liza in East of Eden looked forward to heaven because there would be no laundry. But heaven is missing out. And no need to (literally) break your piggy bank for quarters—Sudz uses quarter-less “cyber-card” technology as the method of payment. Best Shoe Store Joy-Per's Shoes 944 S Main St., Salinas, (831) 424-3466, joypers.com In 1951, while Steinbeck was writing The Log from the Sea of Cortez, JoyPer’s Shoes opened in the author’s boyhood hometown. This isn’t your mundane mall experience of picking a shoe from the wall with hopes that they’ll be comfortable after breaking in. Customer service is their claim to fame and the salespeople consistently offer “sit-and-fit” consultations to consider everything from foot measurements to pain. Whether you’re looking for cowboy boots for the next rodeo or Clarks for everyday casual wear or deck shoes for an ocean voyage, you can be sure you’ll step confidently in any shoes from Joy-Per’s. Best Shoe Repair Shop Federico's 542 Abrego St., Monterey (831) 649-3322 What do you do about Old Tennis Shoes? In the Steinbeck classic Cannery Row, you drink it—the blended whiskey, sold exclusively at Lee Chong’s, was “guaranteed four months old” and had the distinct advantage of being cheap, despite tasting and/or smelling like, well, old tennis shoes. But those real shoes, the ones you wear on your feet? You bring them to Federico’s for a new life. Busted buckle, ruined leather or a worn-out sole? They’ve got you covered for a fair price and with fast service. Keep your most comfortable shoes in circulation for longer with a trusted team of miracle repair workers. Best Women’s Clothing Boutique Bliss Boutique 300 Main St., Salinas 380 Alvarado St., Monterey (831) 647-1193, bebeautifulinbliss.com Monterey County shoppers have found an Eden of trendy clothing, sparkling accessories and thoughtful gifts at two downtown Bliss Boutique locations. Fresh fashions abound inside these inviting storefronts, with 2023 musthaves like puffy blouse sleeves, flowing maxi dresses and the full range of today’s denim trends. Whether you’re mermaid-core, Barbie-core, cottagecore or Steinbeck-core (khaki?), you can find it at the county’s Best Women’s Clothing Boutique for the second year running. Best Men’s Clothing Store Khaki's of Carmel Carmel Plaza, Ocean Avenue and Junipero Street, Carmel (831) 625-8106, khakisofcarmel.com In an architectural landscape where the primary color of the palette is 62 BEST OF MONTEREY COUNTY® 2023 mcweekly.com/bestof Thank you for voting us BEST CAR WASH 30 Years In A Row! 1994– 2023 590 Fremont Street, Downtown Monterey (831) 373-1801 www.elesterocarwash.com ’23 Best Place To Get Smogged THANK YOU TO THE READERS OF MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY! ’22 ’21 ’20 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 2039 Del Monte Blvd., Seaside CA 831-899-8877 | PacificSmog.com Mon - Fri: 8am - 4:30pm Sat: 8am - 12:30pm
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