Business & Tech

Top 17 Petaluma Local Businesses Of The Year

See which spots Patch readers nominated as their favorite places to shop, eat, exercise, or otherwise support.

PETALUMA, CA — Top-notch meals, knowledgeable staff and dedication to community service are among the reasons why local Patch readers love these 17 spots nominated as Local Businesses of the Year.

Here are the businesses in Petaluma that rose to the top, according to Patch readers:

Yoga Hell Petaluma

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Hours: 5:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Location: 1484 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma

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Phone: 707-775-2400

From the nominator: "In spite of being closed for 8 months they have kept the community connected and healthy. They have classes all day long online and have created monthly challenges to keep everyone focused and have made them fun in a not very fun time."


Maus Electric

Hours: Call for hours

Location: 5002 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma

Phone: 707-762-4831

From the nominator: "Maus Family-owned business in Petaluma since 1931. All employees are family members. Excellent services."


Cucina Paradiso

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; Closed Sunday

Location: 114 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma

Phone: 707-782-1130

From the nominator: "Fantastic food and restaurant that with the staff goes above and beyond to take care of their patrons making them feel welcome and at home in a wonderful restaurant by the river. Going to Cucina definitely gives you that hometown feeling and great Italian food."


Dr. Bob Koenitzer DDS

Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Location: 101 Lynch Creek Way Suite A, Petaluma

Phone: 707-241-4495

From the nominator: "Very professional, friendly staff and modern technology. Very considerate about patient issues."


Wild Goat Bistro

Hours: 11:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Location: 6 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma

Phone: 707-658-1156

From the nominator: "The best variety of food including vegan and vegetarian and the best hamburgers! Best customer service!"


Water Street Bistro

Hours: 8:30 a.m. -2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday

Location: 100 Petaluma Blvd North, Petaluma,

Phone: 707-763-9563

From the nominator: "A small cafe restaurant, with outside seating and a view of the Petaluma River, serves hand-made food to a loyal and local clientele. Stephanie, chef/owner, and her staff (including her daughter) expertly cook up asparagus quiches, cinnamon rolls, crab chowders that take diners on a trip to France and Spain. With travel now almost impossible, it's a way to experience the world —gastronomically. The cuisine is five-star and so is Stephanie, whose resume shows her life as a chef from the glory years of Bay Area cuisine. Remember Jeremy Towers and Stars? World-class cooking served to locals and visitors alike with friendly, professional panache."


Alphabet Soup Thrift Store

Hours: 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday

Location: 217 Western Ave., Petaluma

Phone: 707-309-7535

From the nominator: "The BEST service, merchandise and very conscious of the pandemic. I feel safe shopping here. Great stuff and goes to a great cause .. Local education! YEAH!!!!"


Flourish

Hours: 12/23 10:30-5:30; 12/24 10am-2pm; closed Christmas; 12/26 & 12/27 11:30-5 / Temporarily closed Dec. 28 - Jan. 29

Location: 5 Fourth St., Petaluma

Phone: 707-971-7666

From the nominator: "Flourish provides a lot of love and light with indoor plants, gifts, and lifestyle decor items. But more than that, the owner is a true philanthropist. Even in these difficult times, she donates to charities on behalf of her employees, volunteers for various community programs and supports local artisans by selling both local and free trade products. During lockdown, Flourish maintained a presence by delivering plants to those at home, and constantly pivots to continue to offer our community life & beauty with their plants. Flourish is many things to many people, and I think it is an exceptional store and presence in the community.

"Their dedication to serving the community with professional knowledge in their products, and treating each customer with courtesy and respect."


McNear's Saloon & Dining House

Hours: 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday; closed Monday-Tuesday

Location: 23 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma

Phone: 707-765-2121

From the nominator: "Throughout this rough year McNears has fed a huge part of the community and its volunteers for free while keeping its door open to the public and providing a familiar, safe and friendly place to feel like normal still exists. They have provided as many jobs as possible while maintaining a safe working environment. They are an inspiration and the heart of our town. They represent our community and its spirit of giving and togetherness."


Ooh La Luxe

Hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Location: 109 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma

Phone: 707-769-7787

From the nominator: "Beautiful boutique with fair prices. A variety of sizes for the small to the fuller size woman. Always kind and helpful. Beautiful quality clothing."


Out West Garage Auto Repair

Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday

Location: 321 2nd St, Petaluma

Phone: 707-769-0162

From the nominator: "Maria, the owner and the employees are honest, caring, trustworthy, welcoming."


Flamez Bar & Grill

Hours: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-9p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Location: 701 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy D1, Petaluma at Leghorn Marketplace

Phone: 707-981-8267

From the nominator: "Great food and service. A family-owned restaurant that makes you feel like you’re family too."


Aces Over Eights Tattoo

Hours: 12 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Location: 130 American Alley, Petaluma

Phone: 707-781-9830

From the nominator: "During the pandemic, the shop was closed yet the owners still shared what little money they had for their employees it was very heartwarming to see how they pulled her resources to get through this. There are no egos in this wonderful shop just wonderful artists with huge hearts. This is not the first time that they’ve given back and I do not believe it is the last time."


Petaluma Coffee & Tea Co.

Hours: 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday

Location: 212 2nd St., Petaluma

Phone: 707-763-2727

From the nominator: "They have an outstanding collection of coffees and teas and their own roaster. The staff is helpful, friendly and full of cheer. They have gone out of their way to convert their shop to be safe and inviting."


Foundation Pilates

Hours: Temporarily closed but offering online classes

Location: 855 Lakeville St., Petaluma

Phone: 707-762-8373

From the nominator: "I would like to nominate Foundation Pilates for business of the year. The owner, Rebecca Lewis, is committed to the betterment of the community by providing a safe place for people of all ages, body types and skill sets to explore their health in all capacities. Her studio has been closed for 8 months and in those months, she chose to continue to provide ways for people to stay as healthy as possible. She quickly adapted to the changes presented and supplied virtual fitness classes along with inspiration to continue moving forward in trying times. If this year has taught any of us anything, it is that our health, our wellness and connection is incredibly valuable. Rebecca Lewis and Foundation Pilates has provided just that. This studio has changed my life and has given me the space to feel comfortable in my own skin, allows me to make my health a priority and has given me a community of people who build me up. In a time where our resiliency has been tested, Rebecca Lewis continues to defy all odds stacked against her and moves forward to provide a healthy place for all of us to connect and be our best selves. To me, there is nothing greater than that!"


Rex Ace Hardware

Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday

Location: 318 B Street, Petaluma

Phone: 707-762-7355

From the nominator: "I recently moved and needed so many different things. Rex had everything, and not only were they helpful, they readily exchanged the items I purchased that didn't quite do the trick, no matter the reason. Not only that but a very nice man named Bob carried my purchases to my car a block away from the store. It's now my favorite business in town."


Brixx Pizzeria

Hours: 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday

Location: 16 Kentucky St., Petaluma

Phone: 707-766-8162

From the nominator: "Best owners, best customer service, best staff, best drinks. Just a great place!!!!!"

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