Jeannia Thomas, 41, has been cutting and styling hair since she was 17. She’s the owner of The Look Salon in Placerville and really knows how to make her clients look great. As a matter of fact making people look great is the area of expertise for not only Thomas but all six of the [...]

For more than 10 years restauranteur Vitavat Lumpongpoung has delighted diners with delicious Thai creations. Now El Dorado County residents don’t have to drive down the hill for those spicy curries and flavorful noodles. Last May Lumpongpoung, 39, opened his fifth restaurant — Taste of Thai — in Placerville. “Come try it out,” said Lumpongpoung, [...]

Pamela Kimmel is a coach. She’s a personal finance coach to be exact and it’s pretty obvious with an arsenal of sage advice, inspirational mantras and even a game-plan chalk board on the wall of her Diamond Springs office. Kimmel’s business, Tax and Debt Solutions, provides tax preparation, audit representation and debt solution services. “If [...]

At Country Lube Express in Diamond Springs car care is quick, thorough and with a smile. They are the consistent winner for Mountain Democrat Readers Choice Best Oil Change because six days a week the automotive technicians are cranking out service with cars cycling through the shop about every 30 minutes. No appointment is necessary. [...]

Armando Martinez has a passion for sushi. That is exactly why customers keep coming back to his restaurant Amerikan Ichi. The restaurant is called Amerikan Ichi because it’s an American fusion sushi restaurant and ichi is the Japanese word for the No. 1. Armando hopes this restaurant to be the first of many sushi restaurants [...]

January — the month millions of people pledge to get in shape and take better care of their health. If you’re really serious head to Max Muscle Sports Nutrition in Placerville, where sports nutrition takes priority, no matter the goal. “Pretty much anyone who is active … we can take care of them,” said Jon [...]

Keith Summers wanted to open a dollar store in Diamond Springs. So he went door to door asking area residents if they would support a dollar store in the neighborhood. The answer was a resounding “yes.” “I met single moms who were teary-eyed because they said they couldn’t afford the gas to get to the [...]