Best of Flagstaff – Gail G. Collins

Best of RVs: Woody Mountain wins for RV Park; Wheel Estate for RV Maintenance

Best of Flagstaff 2024

Written by Gail G. Collins

“Route 66 celebrates 100 years in 2025, and weary travelers along the path have always stopped here to rest,” said Tom Boggess, owner of Woody Mountain Campground. The history is long and consistent. The recently dolled up bed and breakfast was an inn over the years and part of the wagon trail from the start.

Woody Mountain Campground began in 1968, and the longtime owners sold to the Boggess family and other partners nearly a decade ago. Their 23 acres lie in the thick of things while offering a respite. “You can camp in the cool pines in the city of Flagstaff, the building is historic—from the 40s—and the road we’re on that turns off the old Route 66 runs to The Edge of the World,” said Tom of the popular off-road scenic encounter that overlooks Sedona.

The campground has undergone renovation and improvements, but original buildings and sites remain, offering vintage appeal with elevated facilities, according to general manager Willow Boggess. That dedication earned them a win as Best Campground. Woody Mountain offers everything from full hook-up RV sites to tent sites under shady pines in clear mountain air with laundry facilities, showers and bathrooms, dump and fill plus more. A bed and breakfast affords the comforts of home with coffee and breakfast in a cozy lounge or patio. Six uniquely appointed rooms also offer Wi-Fi and access to their popular trail.

Updated amenities include the Last Haul Coffee and Wine Lounge, serving chai to espresso to matcha to cover your caffeine needs alongside freshly baked cinnamon rolls, muffins, scones and breakfast bagel sandwiches or sip on some Arizona wines. The General Store has gone from the usual campground shop to full convenience with lots of goodies, said Willow. “We keep it all as local as possible with Single Speed Coffee Roasters, Arizona wines and artists, like Arne ceramics, Sweet Sting Honey and Woof 66 treats.”

People have returned to the campground over the decades, reminiscing of a time just after WWII or a family trip in the 70s. “It’s where everyone turns,” reminded Tom.

What is old is new again with the warmest welcome to Woody Mountain Campground. “Our vision was to create a community and event space,” said Willow. “Come on over and have a cup of coffee.”

When it’s time to winterize your RV, why not call a reputable company instead of hoping to get it right on your own? Or are you about to purchase your dream vacation vehicle and join the ranks of RV’ers? In either case, hire Wheel Estate Mobil RV Services and Inspections. They can crawl over every inch and assure you the vehicle is sound. Such thoroughness has earned them top honors in 2024.

You may be buying new, but even a dealership may miss things, such as dripping hoses, disconnections and a break in a seal. All were found in pre-buy inspection by Wheel Estate. Now, consider the undisclosed issues on a resale unit, such as grounding or other electrical faults, tire wear, doors that won’t close and secure, crushed vent pipes or a spray paint lid used to “replace” a plumbing vent cap. It wouldn’t last a highway mile. Danielle and Scott Sulzer have seen it all. Danielle is a registered RV technician and both are registered RV inspectors, schooled in 2020 by National RV Training Academy.

Hiring a registered inspector offers transparency going into a major decision. Having a full report on the roof and sealants, soft spots, water entry point at antennas, rusted nails around skylights, whether appliances work properly, propane leaks, floor sags and more obviously inform decisions about whether to buy a unit, repair it, ask for a discounted price or be thankful and walk away.

Once Wheel Estate has inspected an RV, they will not work on it for a year to maintain integrity, but if you need your AC or furnace serviced, the fridge is broken or you have a leak, they will come to you or your renter’s site. They believe in continuing education to stay up-to-date and are thankful for vendors with top notch information to provide the best customer care.

Wheel Estate has even been a guest on the podcast and YouTube channel RV Lifestyle with Mike and Jennifer Wendland, where they talked about the secrets of an RV Inspector. When a rigorous inspection, maintenance or repair is required, Wheel Estate assures, “Wheel be there when you need us.” BestofFLG24

https://azdailysun.com/news/bestof/best-of-rvs-woody-mountain-wins-for-rv-park-wheel-estate-for-rv-maintenance/article_cffae5a2-a2dc-11ef-ad81-b71f30bf111c.html

Voted Best Breakfast, Best Mexican & Best Waitstaff: MartAnne’s Burrito Palace celebrates its journey

Best of Flagstaff 2024

Written by Gail G. Collins

When you have been serving breakfast since 2001, you can forget you are also a Mexican restaurant, confessed Tina Martinez, owner of MartAnne’s Burrito Palace. After winning Best Breakfast multiple times, though the humble and happy crew doesn’t tack up their successes on the wall, they claimed the top Mexican spot. “We’re honored. It wasn’t on our radar. It took us 10 years to change our customers’ perspectives to consider us a Mexican restaurant,” she said. So, it feels pretty good.

MartAnne’s, “The House that Chilaquiles Built,” was founded on chips, sauce and eggs—Mexican comfort food leftovers served as breakfast. The institution on Route 66 in downtown flaunts fiesta fun in raspberry, ochre and cotton candy blue walls with whimsical palace décor in a riot of feathers, flowers and Emma Gardner’s skeleton art. Still, behind every institution, there is a history, and Tina reminisced.

The restaurant began in the early 80s under Gloria Martan Korkki, who sold it and bought it back twice before the transfer stuck with Anne Martinez in 2001. It has always been a family endeavor, and Miss Alice always came with the kitchen and a lot of experience. Gloria hatched the chilaquiles idea, but thought the food was too weird, too Mexican or too unknown, but did it anyway. “It was on the menu, and it became the hit,” Tina said with a laugh.

When her mother Anne took over, Tina worked as a server. The awning needed replacement, and the seller wanted a name to put on it. It had been Martan’s, so Tina suggested a tweak, adding “Anne,” so retaining the legacy and personalizing it.

In 2012, Tina, a driving force and visionary, took over MartAnne’s operations. “I moved from the shop around the corner to a new location, obtained a liquor license and expanded the space and menu.” Then, she admitted, “Our menu—we have too much on it, and we think that’s funny—but we want to have specials, even though our dishes are better than any special we could come up with.”

Perhaps, but an example they are equally good is the red chili beef tamale benedict with additional beef filling, topped with hollandaise sauce. “It’s been on our specials menu for five years!”

MartAnne’s isn’t one to follow trends. Mostly, they set them, but when they finally acquiesce, they do it right, like the quesabirria tacos that became a top seller. “They are the best in the state,” Tina said.

Sauces are from scratch, and they go above and beyond to source items they prefer. Many dishes are influenced by customers, even bearing their names. MartAnne’s offers traditional items, like huevos rancheros, but other dishes, like JB’s Volcano—a mini mountain of chilaquiles, covered with pork green chile, chorizo and sour cream, served with an over medium egg—can’t be found on a menu anywhere else. Another example is the Jerry el Mujeriego, a spicy, pork, green chile and cheese enchilada with sour cream and cilantro, topped with two eggs over medium.

Some items are seasonal, like the pumpkin pancakes, topped with a scoop of sweet cream cheese. “It has a following, and in July, people begin asking if we’ll bring it back again.” Of course, they do.

Other places might consider the whacky combinations inauthentic—there is too much sauce or the posole is green—but it’s MartAnne’s version of Mexican food.

“My husband is from Sonora, and he loves it all,” Tina said. “Grandmas cook in their kitchen differently, and we feel no one is right.”

MartAnne’s is known for its music, keeping it lively and atypical during the day with Sinatra, Ozzy Osbourne, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young or Etta James. A different night vibe takes over with Spanish guitar and salsa.

The restaurant is as likely to have local customers ordering as tourists. Regulars eat there two or three times a week, and staff knows their needs.

“MartAnne’s is a combination, a collection of multiple women cooks and races, who for one reason or another cooked or worked here,” Tina explained. “Anne took the original menu, spiced it up and made sure every dish was the best it could be. Emma Gardner is part of that collection, a server, who brought color and her skeleton art. We want to remain MartAnne’s—that melting pot of influences of family and cooks. Our style is Flagstaff style.” BestofFLG24

https://azdailysun.com/news/bestof/voted-best-breakfast-best-mexican-best-waitstaff-martannes-burrito-palace-celebrates-its-journey/article_9f1fe294-a2b8-11ef-8db9-7b009d14c6ad.html

Representing Arizona with compassion: Evans and Garrey win Best Law Firm

Best of Flagstaff 2024

Written by Gail G. Collins

An injury or accident happens without notice. We have no time to prepare. In an instant, our life is changed, and we are simply subject to the consequences. But that doesn’t mean our suffering should have no consequences. There may be costs, resources necessary, lost work, physical impairment, therapies and more. When this happens, we need help, concern and a way forward.

Evan Garrey understands this and offers a compassionate, constructive hand in getting life back on track. “Our goal is to help people, especially in northern Arizona to carry through a difficult time when they or their loves ones are hurting. We’ve seen what a difference it can make in people’s lives,” said Erin Evans.

The attorney has been practicing for 17 years and spent nearly 20 with partner Reid Garrey, mentored as an intern while in she attended law school. The firm serves the entire state of Arizona. While Garrey is located in Phoenix, Evans moved to Flagstaff to extend their reach a few years ago.

The focus is catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, and while affording a personal touch, they will fight justice deserved. The firm is accessible, providing regular updates throughout the process. The legal team works closely with clients to understand their situation, build a strong case and pursue the responsible parties to ensure those affected receive the compensation they truly deserve. Such individual attention earned the firm notice as top law firm in Flagstaff.

“We focus on providing clients a unique and personal experience that a large law firm doesn’t extend,” explained Evans. “We are involved in every case every step of the way with immense trial experience. We won’t settle unless the sum is equivalent with the loss.”

As Flagstaff sits at the crossroads of Interstates 17 and 40 with enormous trucking traffic, it is understandable that auto accidents construe the largest percentage of cases. Drunk driving, boating injuries, bike and pedestrian accidents, multiple lines of liability, such as premises, product and nursing home negligence and workplace accidents round out the cases handled by the firm. “Negligent hiring and training is a large part of what we pursue, whether it’s corporate cases or accidents caused by semi-trucks,” she said.

Recently, a personal injury case surrounding product liability involving paralysis paid out $3M, and depending on the circumstances, amounts generally range from $250,000 for hit-and-run or premises liability to multi-millions for auto accidents or wrongful death.

Community is central to the firm’s services and extends to professional and personal development. Evans has served as president of Coconino Bar Association, been appointed to the Supreme Court Committee on Examinations, acted as board member of Creative Flagstaff, supported the local chapter of Child Health for 10 years, sponsored Arboretum Garden Parties and more.

When reputation and experience matters, clients look to Evans Garrey. Through integrity, honesty and professionalism, Evans Garrey always represents the client’s best interests during what is often the most difficult time of their lives. “We don’t take only big cases, but want to help people even in the smallest of situations. It’s been a great journey,” Evans said of her law career serving the public. BestofFLG24

https://azdailysun.com/news/bestof/representing-arizona-with-compassion-evans-and-garrey-win-best-law-firm/article_219e1c6a-a2df-11ef-a469-7bdf2111de23.html

Run Flagstaff a community hub for runners of all levels

Best of Flagstaff 2024

Written by Gail G. Collins

Run Flagstaff, winner of the Best Shoe Store, is the resource for all things running. Whether you’re a veteran runner or deciding to tie on some shoes for the first time, there is no better place to go for gear. Of course, you can find specialty shoes, but you can also join a group to run trails or pick up a packet for an event to motivate your training. They have you covered. This is a crafted strategy by owners Vince Sherry, a run specialty guru; Sarah Sherry, who can fit you with shoes or fix you up with apparel from socks to sunglasses; and Nick Arcianiaga, a pro marathoner, whose attention to runners and community has help secure the Top 50 Best Running Store Award four times over.

The aim at Run Flagstaff is to encourage year-round running, channeling the history, the purity and the intricacy of Flagstaff’s foundation in the sport to create an awesome experience. The shop honors this connection to place with indigenous experiences from hand-cut fixtures to inspirational images of recreational and world class caliber athletes. They advocate the area’s hallowed and infamous trails, like Lake Mary Road, which have turned aspiring professionals into champions.

Thoughtfully curated products appeal to a diversity of runner types, including kids, whose footwear is equally important as they consider sports. Shoppers should take advantage Run Flagstaff’s gait analysis to find the right fit for the foot. Specialists can identify foot types, biomechanics and form. Clients are profiled for their experience, injuries and goals. Then, they run unshod on a treadmill for assessment of the foot for flex, roll and transitions to various activities to determine structure and shape. This provides data for shoe products, which can then be tested on the treadmill under conditions.

Run Flagstaff is not just a running store, but promotes community as culture. The goal is to become a better running community. Their website spotlights local runners and building relationship. The shop donates to Kids Run and Team Run Flagstaff, which began in 2010, to organize training and offer expert coaching with educational workshops to cultivate an atmosphere that allows elite runners and beginners to share the same track, pursuing individual goals with a sense of camaraderie. There are also track and trail clubs, local meet-ups and training groups.

In this vein, Run Flagstaff is title sponsor of the Flagstaff Summer Racing Series, while hosting annual spike and flat nights for the high schools, packet pick-ups, speakers and group runs. They can also provide race timing with three packages to optimize event participation and effectiveness, covering management for road racing or cross country, triathlons and mud events.

“Flagstaff is the kind of place, where friends literally run by your house to pick you up, so it makes it hard for your to be lazy,” said Sarah on a Team Run video. The area begs an outdoors existence, where we are inclined to take to the trails and mingle in the mountains. The climate, the technical challenges, and elevation to increase stamina are available right in our backyard. This draws professional athletes to train in Flagstaff, inspiring others, while offering the average Joe or Jane the chance to feel a part of something bigger.

More than anything, Run Flagstaff produces positive results with the best shoes and community. “We support individuals and organizations that are the very pulse of what makes Flagstaff a great place to live and train,” their mission states. BestofFLG24

https://azdailysun.com/news/bestof/run-flagstaff-a-community-hub-for-runners-of-all-levels/article_ee48714a-a2e7-11ef-814c-ebbd3dfc5b6b.html

A family legacy wins best garage door company for Loren Vickers Overhead Door

Best of Flagstaff 2024, AZ Daily Sun

Written by Gail G. Collins

We count on emergency services. If our home is threatened, we need the fire station to respond immediately. If someone we love is involved in a car accident, we need a paramedic. If swift transport is required, sometimes, only a helicopter can make the vital transfer. But who do emergency services rely on when their access is shut down by weather, power outages or equipment failures?

Loren Vickers Overhead Door answers the call and has been providing commercial and residential services since 1976. “A lot of fire stations and Guardian Air depend on us to respond immediately for problems with doors or hangars because others are depending on them,” said owner Carter Vickers. “We pride ourselves on being there within an hour. We get consistent feedback on our ability to serve them and make adjustments to serve them faster in emergency response situations.”

If your home’s garage door is broken or needs replacing, you need help in a hurry, too. Overhead Door has it covered with in-stock options to keep your home secure and weather tight. A couple of years ago, a customer on Old Munds Highway needed a door right away, which required the Vickers team to plow two to three feet of snow to enable installation. “We do anything to get the job done,” he assured. “We work on anything from golf cart shed doors to locomotive yard doors. There is nothing too big or too small.”

Overhead Door covers all of Arizona with a focus in the northern region, where the business is located. In fact, they have the only true showroom in Flagstaff, affording better services on site quickly for clients. They also retain the only master certified technician in Arizona with training in all facets of commercial applications, and their reach extends even to remote areas. Kudos to Loren Vickers Overhead Door for winning top honors for Best Garage Door Company.

Carter Vickers is the youngest of six siblings, and as is typical in family-owned businesses, everyone has worked for father Loren and received a wealth of training. After earning a structural engineering degree and some professional experience, Carter returned to the business in 2018 when his father became seriously ill. “It was a hard time, filling his shoes,” he shared. “Dad had always been present for us as kids and is widely known in the industry. He created a good balance, and I was really lucky. He built up a good foundation, and I want to carry on his legacy.” Carter has a family and the same goals to provide for them.

There are challenges to achieving that balance. “Working for yourself, you don’t make your own hours; your customers make them for you,” he said. Carter has expanded the business and enjoys projects, utilizing his engineering firm, Sirius Structures, with seven licensed professional engineers. “You see the team’s successes and growing the name.”

Overhead Door services include: residential sales, fabrication and installation of garage doors, opener set-up, repair and maintenance as well as commercial door and gate systems and service.

The company sets itself apart with its ready, on-site service and competent staff logging 20+ years. Their good retention is owed to training and competitive benefits. “It’s not a job, it’s a career, where techs can grow as a journeyman and apprentice with benefits and retirement plans.”

Carter feels their long term presence positions them better against the competition. And weather? “We’re used to it. Phoenix companies claim they’re local, but they go home when a foot of snow falls.”

Overhead Door makes a big push to donate significantly and support the Cancer Society. When Loren was diagnosed with a rare form of lymphoma, he benefitted as the third person in the country to receive special immunotherapy that saved his life. The family believes that giving comes back to you.

“A big thank you for allowing us to be in your community for 49 years,” said Carter. “Flagstaff is the best place to have a business if your name is Vickers.” BestofFLG24

https://azdailysun.com/news/bestof/a-family-legacy-wins-best-garage-door-company-for-loren-vickers-overhead-door/article_70394862-a2bd-11ef-8578-8bc02cbf084a.html

Best of Flagstaff 2023

Flying high on gratitude: Brandy’s Restaurant and Bakery picks up Best Waitstaff alongside Bakery, Breakfast and Brunch

Written by Gail G. Collins

Brunch is the best of all worlds. It’s breakfast, it’s lunch, it’s sweet, it’s savory—brunch is whatever you desire. There is no wrong time to eat, and no recipe is out of bounds. There are appealing options for vegetarians, vegans and others with dietary aims. Even the drinks vary from coffee to mimosas and more. There is no dress code, but as a general guideline, do get dressed.

In fact, the only difficult choice is where to go, but Brandy’s is always a delicious decision. From eggs in every form to classic pastries, locals voted Brandy’s Restaurant & Bakery for Best Bakery, Breakfast, Brunch and Waitstaff. It has been a consistent winner.

“Every year, it’s nerve-wracking, but it feels good,” said owner Kelsey Drayton, and wife Jamie added, “It confirms we’re on the right track, because we sweat every change. They’re hard decisions.”

That said, when things are going well, people don’t rock the boat. Since its inception, Brandy’s quickly rose as Flagstaff’s morning mecca, and after 30 years, it’s an icon. Kelsey worked for original owners Ed and Brandy Wojciak before taking the helm with Jamie nearly 10 years ago. In 2018, they also bought La Bellavia and rebranded it as Brandy’s second location in downtown. Recently, a patio was added and the menu pared, but otherwise, it’s steady on at Brandy’s.

“We take it one day at a time whether it’s going well or we need to adapt,” Kelsey said. “We can make a right turn when we need to and try new things.”

A new thing was the addition of the Captain Jack sandwich to the menu. They owners needed a quick pick-up breakfast. Scrambled eggs, chilies, pepper jack cheese, bacon and tomato piled on a brioche bun with a slather of gunslinger mayo, sourcing Arizona hot sauce. It builds a tasty, satisfying handful. Brandy’s runs a scratch kitchen with baked goods made in house, including their delectable breads and buns.

“The sandwich sells well at both locations and travels well,” Kelsey said.

Other best sellers are eggs Benedict, pancakes and omelets. There are eight exceptional and extra exceptional Benedict options, choice fruit and chocolate chip fillings for pancakes and omelets with myriad meats, cheeses and veg to create the perfect plate. Cinnamon rolls are the top pick from the pastry counter.

Brandy’s boasts an espresso bar with specialty drinks, like a Baja mocha blending espresso with Mexican chocolate and spices with steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and dusted with sweet cinnamon and nutmeg. Then, there are the day drinking offerings, like a chai tea latte laced with Irish whiskey or a tropical mimosa, mixing champagne, pineapple juice, orange juice and grenadine.

Breakfast is served all day, and lunch runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Like its diners, Brandy’s staff is also long standing. “We focus on culture,” said Jamie. “We are team-oriented with low drama and no gossip.” Guests are greeted by name and the atmosphere is welcoming. Some customers have been coming in for decades, and their table is always waiting.

Looking ahead, Brandy’s will expand the vegan items on the menu to include pancakes. The downtown location is continuing to grow despite the limitations of the building. A line winds down the block, but it is not competition with Macy’s, but driving the trend and camaraderie around morning alternatives. Down the road, the plan is get out of town to add another Brandy’s location.

Brandy’s is building on their strengths. “That is the goal—to offer a consistently friendly environment and quality food,” Jamie said. They are humbled with their wins, and as their 30^th anniversary arrives, she added, “We’re flying high on gratitude.” BofFLG

Best of Flagstaff 2023

Family is the framework that makes the Flagstaff Roofing team the best in town

Written by Gail G. Collins

Family is legacy, and a legacy business undergirds and promotes its core principles—its values, its shared and meaningful goals as well as its character within the community. Such family mentorship designs the framework that allows an economic venture to pass from one generation to another.

This is the story of Flagstaff Roofing, which logs three generations since 1967. Jon and Calli Salcido celebrate this uniting of family and financial aims as patrons voted Flagstaff Roofing as our Best Roofer. It’s also a vote endorsing consistency and integrity for Calli’s father and grandfather.

When the Salcidos took over the reins 10 years ago, they rebranded the original business from Havasu Roofing to reflect its Flagstaff base. The couple worked diligently to respond rapidly to customers.

“People are complimentary about how prompt we are,” Calli said. “If they call today, we will be at their home within five days to survey the roof and have an estimate to them by the next day.” The quick reaction, quality service and word of mouth recommendations keep the business coming to Flagstaff Roofing.

Honesty is the watch word in an industry that harbors its share of storm chasers. After a gale or blizzard, roof sellers often come knocking on doors, offering free inspections and creating anxiety for homeowners. They offer free roofs through insurance claims, drumming up business. So how does a customer get a straight answer on whether someone actually needs a new roof?

“I don’t see a roof,” Jon explained, “I’m not a corporation going door-to-door looking for hail damage. I give an honest opinion about whether a roof needs replacement. And if it does, we give the customer a good price—as low as we possibly can.”

Jon advises people to go local and hire a company with a stake in the area. He advises against feeling bullied to sign a contract on the first contact. And there are genuine concerns around hiring contractors from Phoenix. “They don’t know the codes required and so on for installing a roof in Northern Arizona,” Jon said.

According to Jon, a customer once received a quote for $16,000 to replace a roof from an out-of-town entity, but uneasy about the price, the man called Flagstaff Roofing for a second opinion. “We charged $7,000 to do the job. The storm chasers try to scare customers,” he warned.

Flagstaff Roofing has a family reputation in town and has earned community support. It is the first time they have invested energy in trying to earn the Best of Flagstaff title and are thankful for the win. “People have done a lot to help us to get here. We’re blessed to have what we’ve built together,” Jon said.

He credits Junior and his crew, which he claims is the best. “Together, we make it a good company.”

But family is the glue in a legacy business, like Flagstaff Roofing, where Jon praises Calli’s commitment. “She has been Employee of the Month for 10 years in a row.”

Legacy businesses stand the test of time and act as cultural anchors, sources of town traditions and history. As Jon reminded, go local. BofFLG

Best of Flagstaff 2023

Brown Bag Burger smokes competition, winning Best Burger and Best New Restaurant

Written by Gail G. Collins

Americans eat 50 billion hamburgers a year. It is incredible to comprehend. We obviously love a good burger, but some added discernment might be in order considering that number. So, what is it that takes a good burger to great?

Obviously, it’s about the meat, quality protein with enough fat for flavor. Chefs advise going light on the seasoning, handling the patty as little as possible and grilling over pan frying. Toast your buns and you are well on your way to happiness.

Brown Bag Burger knows this and much more and proving it to win awards for Best Burger and Best New Restaurant. The Prescott-based original location was a longstanding standard under changing ownership, but when, Ian Burns bought the shop in 2020, he defied the advice and the odds.

“The previous owners told me not to change a thing,” he said. “Keep the burgers big, but sub-par (as he saw the quality), but my goal was to change everything.”

He hired a French-trained chef to create new sauces and secured an upscale meat vendor. “The beef is Angus, custom-blended by a Scottsdale butcher for us, so it super fresh,” Burns said. “The seven-ounce patties contain no preservatives and are cryo-frozen. We don’t cut corners.”

Change is hard, and previous customers complained about the new creations, like the best-selling Hangover, which won accolades at Taste of Flagstaff. The burger is layered with hash-brown style fries, a fried egg, pepper jack cheese, pickles and chipotle mayo. Another winner, the Hawaiian, piles on grilled pineapple, lettuce, tomato, Swiss cheese and a secret sauce to satisfy island dreams. Third in line goes Cajun with a blackened patty, cheddar cheese, coleslaw and remoulade. These top three burgers are smeared with house onion jam.

Some customers noted their frustration with the novel upgrades at Brown Bag every time they ate there. As Burns pointed out, “But I’d already won the battle—the customers kept coming back.”

Burns has a broad background in in the food industry from front of the house to bartending to sales and event planning and general management. The pandemic might have sidelined him temporarily, but it was the catalyst for bigger ideas.

Traffic, sales and praise grew, encouraging expansion. With the highest burger ratings in Prescott, Brown Bag Burger was invited to join a successful footprint in a commercial development project in Flagstaff. The location opened in 2023, and the 3,000-square-foot space seats 60-plus guests.

The Prescott shop outgrew its location and moved to a brewery on the historic main street with Master Brewer John Allen in charge. His prowess won Brewer of the Year in 2022 with his bitter, Irish red, Saison and festbier.

Chefs at Brown Bag are highly trained to grill perfect products. Each burger is finished with smoked butter and served with a choice of fries or side salad or make the upgrade to onion rings, sweet potato fries or fried pickles.

Vegan patties are made in-house with brown rice, Chinese black forbidden rice, oats and black beans along with a classified blend of spices. The buns are made on the premises with no additives to take each burger to the next level.

A handful of regulars come in almost daily endorsing the Best of Flag wins. “We put a lot of effort into the feedback and loyalty that got us to where we are,” Burns said. “The love we’ve received, good employees and customers create a family we enjoy.”

According to Burns, a great burger tops fresh buns with local meat and scratch sauces to build mouth-watering burgers people can’t stop talking about. Brown Bag Burger strives to be the place where burger lovers unite. “We did something well and people noticed.” BofFLG

Best of Flagstaff 2023

Rooted in resilience: Warner’s Nursery & Landscape perseveres in Best of Flag and in business

Written by Gail G. Collins

Digging in the dirt. The benefits and joys of putting plants into the ground are multi-fold. We exercise, we commune with nature, we nurture, we provide food for ourselves, birds or insects, we de-stress, and we grow personally. Overall, gardening is a rejuvenating act.

Warner’s Nursery has been supplying quality plants to satisfy gardening dreams since 1970. “We’ve always been mostly a retail garden center,” said Misti Warner-Andersen. “In the beginning, my dad helped my grandma take over the nursery after he returned from Vietnam.”

The original nursery location in Page, run by Dorothy and Bill Warner, then moved to a spot on Highway 89A. When Butler Avenue was commercialized, Warner’s relocated to its current setting. Brothers Dugan and Fred Warner made a great team during the transitions, according to Misti, and still do, though they concentrate on residential and commercial landscape construction now.

When it came to building the Butler Avenue nursery, the brothers rejected the idea of a standard greenhouse. Instead, they focused on creating a unique backdrop, reminiscent of garden centers in England. Working with Nexus, they spearheaded production of the first airy, custom-built garden center in the U.S., a concept which was replicated many times over on the East Coast.

Of course, it is what you fill your garden center with that keeps customers coming. “I am tenacious about finding a good selection of hardy, quality plants especially for harsher environments, like Northern Arizona,” Misti said. And since the Crash of 2008, that has been difficult as many growers went out of business. Despite this, she stressed, “We sell with integrity and good info. The most important thing is the right plant for the right homeowner—what will grow. We’re open about that—our reputation is important to us.”

Since the pandemic, the desire for plant types has shifted. Customers are more eager for perennials, vegetables, trees and shrubs, some of which are trickier to source. As a private garden center, Warner’s would be pushed to compete on price points with corporate box stores, yet they can impress homeowners with explicit knowledge of area growing conditions and can pass on their plant wisdom.

Warner’s staff are passionate plant people, brought under the wing by senior members, teaching one another what works best where. This makes growing a garden in a challenging environment more effective and enjoyable.

Resources are available as well. Misti, a third-generation operator, mom, businesswoman and outdoor enthusiast, writes a blog, called Planting it Forward, to help gardeners make the most of their efforts. Classes are also an option. The Houseplant Club offers classes, some with small fees to cover materials, but spotting guests a 20-percent plant discount. On Warner’s website, Gardening Week by Week suggests jobs to do around the yard, while gardening seminars and guides, such as Best Plants for Bees, round out topics of interest.

Warner’s is big on community. They contribute to local causes, like Climb for Cancer, Camp Colton and local schools, and they offer gratis hosting to non-profits for fundraising events, such as Big Brothers and Sisters. Outreach can be fun, too, especially when Warner’s sponsors a free Easter egg hunt or Fall Festival.

Family works well together at Warner’s and always has. A bit of trivia, Dot’s café is named for Misti’s grandmother, who launched the nursery.

For all of these reasons, Warner customers voted them Best Nursery and Garden Center. Misti said, “We’re really excited about winning Best Nursery. I’m so pleased with the team I have—their hard work day in and day out—and thankful to the community.” Regardless of a crash or COVID, business acumen and public support build success that never wavers, Misti offered gratefully. BofFLG