Beer spills, bad haircuts: Boulder locales to undo the damage

Several local haunts offer help to students in a pinch

Aside from learning how to deal with a roommate, finding your way around campus and helping your body adjust to a steady diet of dining hall food, it’s hard enough to figure out where to go in Boulder to get basic amenities like a good haircut or a dependable place to get your cell phone fixed. The variety of services available in Boulder can be overwhelming, but if you know the right places to look, you’ll be good to go in no time at all.

WHERE TO GO:

When your parents threaten to cut you off unless you cut your hair:

If you’re on a budget and just want the locks chopped off, check out Great Clips (2711 Arapahoe Ave.) across from the Safeway on Arapahoe and 28th Street. You can usually get the job done for about $12, and your hair won’t look like your roommate decided to try his barber skills on you while you were asleep. If you prefer something a little more edgy, try Al’s Barbershop (1219 Pennsylvania Ave.) on the Hill. Haircuts may range upwards of $40, but you’re paying for what you get. Plus, the stylists at Al’s are great at conversation and will talk your ear off (in a good way) while they cut your hair.

When you spill a cold frothy can of soda all over your cell phone:

Unless you’re the most careful person in the world, you’re not going to make it through four years of college without damaging your cell phone at least once. Advantage Wireless (2705 Arapahoe Ave.) is a great remedy if you’re looking for general service, sales or repairs. If you’re one of the countless Verizon users looking for some specific help, you can check out their store (1650 28th St.) that was rated the Best Wireless store by the readers of Boulder Weekly. Sprint and T-Mobile users can use their stores located at 1590 28th St. and 3175 28th St., respectively.

When your car gets banged up by a Boulder hailstorm:

Whether your car gets in some trouble while driving through 28th Street during rush hour or gets hit hard by a freak hailstorm on the way up to the mountains, the Boulder Bump Shop (2480 49th St. #A) will get your car back on the road and looking good at a fair price for students paying out of their own pockets. For those looking for an upgrade from the work done at discount auto body shops like Maaco while not wanting to pay the full price for a mechanic at a dealership, the Boulder Bump Shop provides the quality work without the steep cost. The Boulder Bump Shop offers paint-less repairs on minor dents, flexible price plans depending on how extensive the customer wants the work done and how much money you’re willing to pay for it.

When you take a ball to the teeth during intramural Broomball:

If you’re lucky, you’ll probably never have to visit the dentist in Boulder, but for those who might be the unwilling recipients of a lacrosse stick to the teeth when messing around on Farrand Field, North Boulder Dental (2601 N. Broadway) will get your teeth looking good and ready to chew again in no time. If you’re feeling a little yellow and just want your smile to look as white as a powder day at Vail, go to Boulder Smiles (1636 16th St.). If you need any further convincing on the work done there, check out their before and after photo gallery at http://www.bouldersmiles.com/procedures.html

When you need all the stress of finals massaged right out of your body:

The Boulder College of Massage Therapy (6255 Longbow Drive) is the perfect place for those on a budget because of its low-cost massages performed by its own students. Even though the massages are done by people still learning the trade, the feeling is as good as any other place in Boulder. If you’re looking for something a little different, try the oxygen bar Tonic (2011 10th St.), located just outside the Pearl Street Mall. The bar features the “oxymassage,” which combines an oxygen session at the bar and a chair massage, creating the ultimate relaxation combo.

When you need an awesome costume for an 80s party you’re going to:

Theme parties are as popular to CU students as Subarus are to Boulder residents, so check out Savers (695 S. Broadway) to start off any costume you’re looking to create. The thrift store contains endless rows of used clothes and sundry items. If you’re willing to spend a few extra bucks or need a few costume accessories that a thrift store just doesn’t have, go to The Ritz (959 Pearl St.). The Ritz has plenty of costumes for sale, as well as accessories like wigs, glasses, and props, and should help you finish off any outfit you create.

When you download a new virus on your own computer:

The Mac Shack (1301 Pennsylvania Ave.) wins for students with Apple computers because of its great service and convenient location on the Hill. Aside from servicing computers, the Mac Shack fixes iPods too, which makes the store a godsend, considering how often mp3 players like to break. Those with PCs should check out Data Doctors (1645 Folsom), who get the nod because they conveniently come right to where you live to fix your computer.