Boulder is one of Colorado’s most visited cities for tourists and other Coloradans desiring an in-state vacation. Its picturesque landscape, outdoor recreation, and bustling downtown are largely the reason many seek out this charming locale. Additionally, many of Boulder’s award-winning service and retail businesses, including restaurants, boutique shops, and spas definitely give travelers great reasons to visit. Here are some outstanding rockstars leading the charge in Boulder’s service and retail industries.
Rose Votta
General Manager – Frasca Food and Wine
Managing a James Beard Award winning restaurant is no easy task, but for Rose Votta, hospitality was always her calling. Each night, as Frasca opens its doors to hungry patrons, Votta is ready to oversee both the service and hospitality. Originally from New York, Votta moved to Aspen and worked at five-star restaurant The Little Nell before making her way to Boulder, per Bobby Stuckey’s request.
Votta leads her team with grace and charisma while managing front and back of house operations. Each year, Frasca Hospitality Group has continued to garner awards for its numerous Front Range restaurants and is now leading the charge to help sustain the service industry through COVID shutdowns.
Briana Borten
Co-Founder – Dragontree Spa
Wellness entrepreneur and peace engineer, Briana Borten, founded this noteworthy spa at the young age of 23. Wanting to nurture a space for clients to feel peaceful and rested, she cultivated an oasis amidst a bustling city, where individuals could recharge, regardless of the hectic situation they were in. Briana then studied as a Clinic Ayurvedic Specialist and continued to shape Dragontree’s practices and protocols to better assist clients. She and her husband, co-founder Dr. Peter Borten, have been featured in national publications and have gone on to open additional spas and publish books.
Choli Austin
Owner – Studio Swā
For over 30 years, Choli Austin has been doing “kick ass hair for kick ass people”. She brought her experience as a stylist in New York City and San Francisco to beautiful Boulder and we are forever grateful. Choli consistently receives rave reviews and has retained her clients base for upwards of 20 years. She believes in using exceptional products and takes time to listen to each person in her chair.
Holly Kabacoff
Buyer, Boulder Manager – MAX
For 26 years, Holly Kabacoff has run the renowned MAX clothing store off Walnut Street in downtown Boulder. Working hand-in-hand with Max Martinez, she has curated a space that is so much more than a clothing store. Kabacoff and her associates provide a concierge-like shopping service for anyone who visits. They take the time to greet clients and help them select outfits that reflect their personal style. Kabacoff builds relationships with her clients and keeps Boulder locals and tourists coming back year after year for the latest fashion, hand-picked by Kabacoff herself.
Boulder’s business-sector continues to thrive as the city grows to welcome visitors and transplants. Its downtown plays host to numerous award-winning restaurants, bars, venues, shops, and spas. These leading ladies and so many others make our city that fantastic destination and home that it is today.