Best Services

The Best:

Backup Plan Personal Concierge Auto Detailing Personal Trainer Dog Groomer

Pet Lodging Dry Cleaners Shoe Repair Place to Get Ready for the Ski Hill

Backup Plan

AAA. Cell phones have really helped with the whole “stuck on the side of the road” problem, but winter presents a particularly cold—and dangerous—time to be stranded. Even AAA’s basic membership (plans start at about $70 a year) covers a free battery jump on those bitterly cold days, tire-changing service, and emergency fuel assistance. Plus, you get discounts at places such as the Guthrie, Minnesota Zoo, and Mall of America. Kind of seems like a winter no-brainer. 952-927-2600 [top]

Personal Concierge

The Executive’s Assistant. No time to shop for groceries, much less plan a dinner party? Make a call to The Executive’s Assistant. Jessica Gilbertson and Leilani Metry have a combined fifteen years of experience—and connections—to help you get the job done. The service packages range from silver (picking up dry cleaning, making dinner reservations) to optimum (vehicle maintenance, planning and coordinating dinner parties) or are available à la carte. You can even hire them to do your holiday shopping or watch over your house while you escape to Naples for the week. [top]

Auto Detailing

Illustration by Randall Nelson

Premier Auto Spa. Driving through the salted and slushy roads day after day each winter can take its toll. Premier Auto Spa pampers your vehicle with a hand wash, wax treatment, and complete interior cleaning, then delivers it to you in all its glossy, polished glory. With six metro locations, this crème de la crème of automobile indulgence is sure to get anyone through the Minnesota winter. Come spring, your vehicle will look as though it spent the winter on holiday. Five metro locations, 801 Marquette Ave., Mpls.; 220 S. 6th St. Mpls.; 225 S. 6th St., Mpls.; 9th St. at 2nd Ave., Mpls.; 14015 Laurel Rd., Mtka.; 1710 Douglas Dr., Golden Valley, 952–545–9787 [top]

Personal Trainer

Steele Fitness. It’s not always the working-out part we dread; it’s the part that involves pulling ourselves off the couch, heading out into the arctic cold, and making our way to the gym. That’s where Steele Fitness comes in. Its certified personal trainers show up at your door in a tricked out BMW X3 filled with workout equipment and set up in the comfort of your living room for a personalized workout. Steele also offers the services of a masseuse and a nutritionist and has its own line of workout gear. Plus, the trainers keep the Minnesota Vikings cheerleaders in tiptop shape, so chances are they can help you look good too. 714 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-476-8001; 3918 W. 49- ½ St., Edina, 952-285-8001; Graves 601 Hotel, 601 1st Ave. N., Mpls., 866-684-3723 [top]

Dog Groomer

Illustration by Randall Nelson

Lulu & Luigi Grooming Pawlour. Dogs and cats get star treatment at Lulu & Luigi’s posh Grooming Pawlour. After seeing huge success in Wayzata, owners Liz Sand and Karen Howe added a doggie beauty shop to their recently relocated, larger St. Louis Park shop and have staffed both spots with stylists (some with thirty years of experience) who use only the best products for massage therapy, instant arthritis treatments, designer cuts and styles, hot oil treatments, and doggie makeovers. That reminds us, we could use a day at the spa ourselves. 812 E. Lake St., Wayzata, 952-249-0330; 3699 Joppa Ave., St. Louis Park, 952-929-1200 [top]

Pet Lodging

Stone Mountain Pet Lodge. No one really wants to leave Fifi the poodle and Allie the Siamese in some cage while the family skis in Aspen, but when lodging is necessary, Stone Mountain may be a welcome break for your furry friend. Dogs and cats can stay in a lodge, chalet, or condo, and amenities include play, run, and cuddle time for dogs and jungle gyms for cats. Plus, classical music is pumped into the holding areas. And for an extra fee, the “pet taxi” will pick up and drop off pets just about anywhere in the metro. Fifi should be just fine. 9935 Radisson Rd. NE, Blaine, 763-792-8929 [top]

Dry Cleaners

Illustration by Randall Nelson

Prestige Cleaning Center. Like its Uptown Cleaners counterpart, the Prestige outlet in Linden Hills boasts a patented “Green Earth Cleaning” process that the company insists is good for the planet and our suits, shirts, skirts, and delicates. What we like best is the unfailingly friendly professionalism of the LH staff, who seem determined to keep their customers clean, green, and satisfied. 3711 W. 44th St., Mpls., 612-929-2010 [top]

Shoe Repair

Macy’s. Whether your shoes style is Ted Baker or Timberland, Miu Miu or Minnetonka Moccasin, after twenty-nine-years in the biz, the crack team at Macy’s shoe repair, led by Randall Reichstadt, is still the best in town. Grab your beat-up soles (they also do handbag repair) and head to the back corner basement of the downtown Macy’s for top-of-the-line shoe repair and the type of customer service that’ll remind you of the good ol’ days. 700 on the Mall, Mpls., 612-375-2922 [top]

Place to Get Ready for the Ski Hill

Hoigaards. When it comes to snow sports, having your gear tuned-up and repaired by some of the most knowledgeable and talented ski and snowboard professionals is a must. Hoigaards is the place to get your skis and snowboards in tiptop shape for the cold and snowy months of downhill adventure—after all, the store has been around since 1895. Plus, Hoigaards also offers a leasing program for your kids so they can use the latest snowboard or slalom gear without having to buy new equipment that they may outgrow next season. 5425 Excelsior Blvd., Mpls., 952–929–1351 [top]