Lotus Chaat & Spice Restaurant1559 Fourth St.www.lotuschaat.comThere may be other Indian-spiced restaurants in Marin County, but San Rafael is home to the only Indian street food-cum spice market around, Lotus Chaat & Spice. People as far north as Santa Rosa zip down Hwy. 101 for the chaat, authentic dishes that originated on the streets of India's big cities. "Chaat" are savoury snacks, typically served at road-side tracks from stalls or carts in India. The already cult-status/Yelp adored menu includes popular chaat options such as Dahi Puri and Bhel Puri. Lotus Chaat also has a market with …

  United Markets100 Red Hill Ave.(415) 456-1271www.unitedmarkets.com What do they offer?United Markets is a full shop market. They offer everything a shopper needs, including fresh organic produce priced low enough to compete with any other markets in town. There is a full deli, freshly baked goods, wine and beverages, pre-packaged meals, a sushi counter and seasonal gifts and foods. The meat counter offers USDA choice cuts and the seafood section offers a wide variety of sustainable options. There is also a garden center on the lot, making it easy to pick up plants for the garden or bushes …

  Argentine Tango with Debbie & John Knights of Columbus Building, 167 Tunstead Ave., San Anselmo (415) 482-7588; www.AlmaDelTango.com What do they offer? “We decided to create a community in San Anselmo," said teacher Debbie Goodwin, who, with husband John Campbell, offers group and private instruction in Argentine Tango. "Tango is a lifestyle, it affects everything."  New sessions begin the first Wednesday or Friday of each month and drop-ins are welcome. Singles are encouraged, because in the tango culture couples don’t just dance with each other. “In the milongas (clubs), you always …

  A Touch of Class 10 Bolinas Road, Fairfax (415) 469-4567 What do they offer? “I offer happiness,” laughed ebuillent owner Laura Khuu whose patrons drive to Fairfax from all over Marin County and from as far away as Oakland and San Francisco’s Sunset district. “My clients are very loyal,” she said. “I think it is because I do whatever they want, not just what I want.”  Khuu is an expert at permanents, cuts, color, highlights, low lights and styling. She specializes in curly hair (cut wet or dry), long layered cuts such as she wears herself (see photo of her hair in gallery), and raves about …

  Eden Day Spa 411 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo (415) 464-9111 What do they offer? Eden Day Spa offers highly advanced European skin care techniques. Their specialty is anti-aging, and the team of aestheticians and massage therapists is known for a results-oriented approach to beauty, skin care and body.    You will find a wide range of options for facials, massage, and body treatments. Many of the products used and sold at the spa are from Europe. Brands include Psysiodermie, Skin Medica, ZO Skin Health by Dr. Zein Obagi, Skinceuticals, Dr. Grandel, and Results.   For professional make-up …

  Fairfax Cyclery 2020 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax www.fairfaxcyclery.com; (415) 721-7644 What do they offer? Fairfax Cyclery carries an excellent selection of kids’ bikes, racing bikes, scooters, mountain bikes and downhill bikes. The brands include: Marin Bikes (based in Novato), Intense Cycles, Intense BMX, SE Racing, Yeti Cycles, Redline Bicycles, Madd Gear Scooters, Redman Bikes, and WTB (based in Mill Valley). Prices start at $129-350. All bikes come fully built, with warranty and service. The store also has jerseys, helmets, sunglasses, Lake bike shoes, gloves, and bike shorts, …

  ps paper 135 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo (415) 459-4984; www.pspaper.com What do they offer? The cottage-style store, perched behind a black-wrought iron fence next to the San Anselmo Post Office, specializes in “everything paper,” including items such as stationery, place cards, colorful binders, wrapping paper and photo albums. "We started out as an invitation studio,” said co-owner Jill Sassa. “Over the years we have added personalized invitations, announcements, greeting cards, thank you cards, holiday cards plus some unique and fun gifts. Many of the paper items are designed and …

The Herban Garden 15 Bolinas Ave., Fairfax (415) 453-1709; www.theherbangarden.net  What do they offer? The Herban Garden features a diverse selection of ethically-sourced goods. Each unique treasure is selected and marked according to its sustainability qualities. Owner Kari Anne Robert said, “We are particularly attentive to how things are being made and where they come from in the world.” You will find pieces by local artisans and goods made in the USA. Items from around the world are Fair Trade, a product certification system designed to allow consumers to identify products that meet …

Toss Designs 343 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo (415) 455-8677; www.tossdesigns.com shoptoss@tossdesigns.com What do they offer? Toss Designs is the authority on travel bags, cosmetic bags in whimsical prints, and beautiful caning totes trimmed in patent. Each season’s assortment highlights the very latest in fashion trends, color and style. Toss also knows how to delight your inner party-girl with chic cocktail shakers and bar essentials. The boutique carries candles, jewelry, children’s items, gifts, clothing and much more. The name "Toss" was chosen to represent fun and playfulness, and the…

For Paws 9 Bolinas Rd., Fairfax (415) 456-4685 What do they offer? For Paws offers natural and nutritious foods for cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and chickens. They also have treats, costumes, custom pet portraits by owner Marguerite Cimino, raw food, toys, grooming products, beds, nutritional supplements, dental care products such as brushless toothpaste, and gravity water. The knowledgeable staff at For Paws helps solve, as best they can, dietary problems and allergies by suggesting changes in the food your pet eats before customers resort to medication. They work with the Milo …

Lost Art Sewing School 25 Tamalpias Avenue, Suite C, San Anselmo (415) 256-9383; www.lostartsewingschool.com What do they offer? Lost Art Sewing School offers adult and children’s sewing classes including Halloween costume-making (it’s not too late to sign-up), one week summer camps from June through August, and birthday parties. Class sizes are seven to ten students, and teachers work individually with beginner, intermediate or advanced skills.     Recent examples of items made, start to finish, during one class are: aprons, cushion covers, and tote bags. Who are they? Owner Candice Roper …

Mayra’s Hair Design 1605 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax Salon: (415) 459-6009; Cell: (415) 847-7882; www.mayrastyle.com What do they offer? “We offer everything about hair for women, men, and children,” said effervescent owner Mayra Moncada, “such as cut, organic color, smooth, straight or curly texture, and perms. We also do facial waxing.” If you can’t come in during the regular business hours of Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the owner's cell number is on the business card so you can make another arrangement. Talk about service-oriented! Mayra’s Hair Design is the only …

Miracle Mile Computer Repair 52 Greenfield Ave., San Anselmo 415-578-0469; www.MiracleMileCR.com What do they offer? Miracle Mile Computer Repair offers fast computer repairs, friendly service, and fair prices. The technicians, who have over twenty years experience, work on PCs, laptops and Apples, as well as iPhones and iPads. Their specialties include, but are not limited to, installations and upgrades, tune-ups, virus and spyware removal, data backup, transfer and recovery, system analysis, internet and network setup, and also security.  “People come in with various issues and the …

Picaroto Cleaners 709 Center Blvd., Fairfax (415) 457-1545 What do they offer? Picaroto Cleaners is a full service cleaners and laundry that, besides clothing and leather, also handles household items such as rugs, feather comforters, and draperies. They offer wash and fold, mending, sewing, and alterations. And they use only environmentally-friendly non-toxic dry cleaning solvents. In 1991, the California EPA Air Resources Board identified a product which was used for years by most dry cleaners, Perchoroethylene (Perc), as a toxic air contaminant and gave businesses a timeline in which to …

Red Hill Shoes & Repair 80 Greenfield Ave. San Anselmo, CA 94960 (415) 485-0747 What do they offer? Red Hill Shoes & Repair offers complete repair service for shoes, boots, handbags, riding boots, and zippers on shoes and purses. The business card is cleverly printed on leather. Shelves hold leather oil, products for coloring, bleaching, softening, water and stain protector for leather suede and fabrics, shampoos, shoe polish and dye, plus pads for arch support and metatarsal problems, heel and arch cushions, insoles including golf and aromatherapy versions, shoe trees, shoe horns, drizzle …

Magpie Consignment 1822 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax (415) 258-0200 facebook.com/magpieconsignment What do they offer? Magpie Consignment offers vintage and modern clothing, accessories, jewelry and collectables. On the day of this interview, the store was brimming with vintage sunglasses, hard-to-find hat boxes, beaded evening bags, contemporary and vintage day bags, a drawer full of gloves, vintage lingerie and hats, cowboy boots, modern shoes, jewelry, suitcases and train cases. The vintage look has always been popular and, thanks to the television show Mad Men, anything from the …

Perry’s Art Supplies & Framing 128 Greenfield Ave., San Anselmo (415) 454-3317 What do they offer? The shelves at Perry’s overflow with every item imaginable needed by both the professional and amateur artist, starting at preschool age. Supplies include oil paint, water colors, acrylics, canvases, drawing boards, mat boards, illustrator boards, air brush supplies and parts, silk screening supplies, brushes, pens, markers, sketch pads, tracing paper and so much more including, wide format paper and materials for engineers and architects, as well craft items for children.      In the back of …

The Away Station  109 Broadway, Fairfax (415) 453-4221, (415) 453-4410; www.theawaystation.org What do they offer? Located in the lumber yard at Fairfax Lumber & Hardware, The Away Station is a nonprofit organization with a vision to create a world without waste.    Everything offered is salvaged. Lumber, hardware, doors, windows, sinks, ovens, light fixtures, cabinets, furniture, art supplies, home accents, and so much more are available at unbelievably low prices.    Services include hauling, professional moving, organizing and green business ideas. When you purchase items you get a great …

Breakaway Matcha www.breakawaymatcha.com; (415) 462-3313 What do they offer? Breakaway Matcha owner Eric Gower is an entrepreneur, academic, cookbook author, ghost writer, and private chef. He's also a tea expert. When it comes to matcha (ceremonial green tea from Japan), he’s a purist. He even compares it to fine wine. “My online company offers the world’s highest quality artisanal matcha on the planet,” he boasts. “It is almost impossible to find. Much of the matcha sold for tea is cooking grade, meant for making green tea ice cream and confections, but not really suitable for drinking.   “…

Jolly Roadsters (415) 342-9547; email: jollyroadsters@gmail.com website coming soon  What do they offer? Owner Ben Picard recreates the iconic and charming Fiat Jolly in our own Marin backyard. The car has a unique history. “In 1957,” said Picard, “the Italian auto maker Ghia was commissioned to build a car for the head guy at Fiat to be used as the land tender for his yacht. The designers, who were given a Fiat 500 to work from, removed the doors and roof, added wicker seats, sewed on a jaunty awning top, and dubbed it ‘The Fiat Jolly.’  “It was an immediate hit with the yachting crowd,” …