Evolution Innovations, Seattle

Started in 2001 as a small operation in founder Bryce Phillips’s Seattle apartment, evo has since grown into a full-fledged retail store voted Best Ski and Snowboard Shop three years in a row in CityVoter’s King5 Best of Western Washington poll. Inside, Bryce and his crew of more than 100 winter- and summer-sports enthusiasts help visitors gear up for adventure with equipment by makers such as Armada, K2 Burton, and Lib Tech and outerwear from The North Face and Patagonia. A team of technicians also keeps equipment in top condition with tune-ups and other services, sharpening skis and waxing snowboards to keep them from growing fur. At evo’s flagship Fremont/Wallingford store, the staff relays the company-wide values of style, a balanced lifestyle, and authenticity by hosting events such as movie screenings and art showcases and devoting extra time to serving nonprofits throughout the community.