Compiled by Explore Big Staff
The people have spoken! Voter participation in the fourth annual Best of Big Sky survey increased by 120 percent over last year as locals and visitors logged onto explorebigsky.com or filled out paper ballots to vote for their favorite businesses, people and events of 2014.
This year, winning businesses were awarded the framed wall certificates we’ve given in the past, in addition to a $500 Outlaw Partners marketing credit. Thank you to everyone who voted this year and congratulations to all the winners!
Best Pizza: Big Sky
Ousel & Spur Pizza Co.
With hand-tossed crust, homemade sauces, and locally sourced ingredients, Ousel and Spur Pizza Co. in Big Sky Town Center takes Best Pizza in Big Sky. Try their new “Winter Pie,” a satiating combination of olive oil, shredded mozzarella, chevre, shaved brussels sprouts, pork belly, and apple thyme mostarda. Extra perks to the pie include a full selection of Italian wines, live music Friday nights, and the Bambino menu for kids. ouselandspurpizza.com, (406) 995-7175
2nd place: Blue Moon Bakery
3rd place: Milkie’s Pizza & Pub
Best Pizza: Bozeman
Cosmic Pizza
Ken Berger, pictured here, opened Bozeman’s Cosmic Pizza in 2002 at 1912 West Main Street. With free delivery, pizza by the slice, and 55 different toppings, readers declared Cosmic as Bozeman’s Best Pizza.
Cosmic also offers six different sauces, nine cheeses and three crusts to choose from, so its “customers have an out of this world experience,” according to Cosmic’s website, every time they time they order a pie.
cosmicpizza.net, (406) 582-9292
2nd place: Blackbird Kitchen
3rd place: Tarantino’s Pizzeria
Best Business: Big Sky
Gallatin Alpine Sports
Winning Best Outdoor Retailer and Best Business of 2014, Gallatin Alpine Sports is feeling the love. In business since 1995, this year marks the shop’s 20th anniversary. The store offers exceptional goods, but also top-notch service. Its passion for the outdoors is portrayed to customers by all staff.
“We brought on a ton of new staff [this year] and everyone is really pumped on being here,” said store manager Matt Jennings. “I think that enthusiasm carries over to our customers.”
As a resort community built around skiing and outdoor recreation, it’s fitting that the locals’ favorite business is an outdoors shop. Jennings said that owner Tom Owens couldn’t be happier or more proud having the distinction as Big Sky’s Best Outdoor Retailer and Best Business. “It’s really what we aim for…it portrays our vision,” Jennings said.
gallatinalpinesports.com, (406) 995-2313
2nd place: Lone Peak Cinema
3rd place: Grizzly Outfitters
Best Business: Bozeman
Town and Country Foods
Town & Country Foods has been a staple in southwest Montana since Andrew Perlinski opened his first store in 1966 in Livingston. He opened a Bozeman location a year later, and then replaced the first two stores with the Town & Country on Bozeman’s North 19th Avenue in 1970. “T&C” opened its second Bozeman location on South 11th Avenue in 2010.
Our readers recognized Town & Country as Best Business in Bozeman for its friendly staff, affordable prices and mountain of cardboard boxes available to lug your groceries home.
tncfoods.com
2nd place: Community Food Co-op
3rd place: Costco Wholesale
