Business briefs

ASPEN ” Aspen Sojourner magazine’s Holiday 2007-08 issue recently was given the Maggie award for “Best Visitor’s Guide” by the Western Publications Association.

The magazine, which bested 22 other publications in its category, was feted along with other Maggie winners at a black-tie ceremony in Los Angeles attended by more than 600 publishing professionals.

“The Maggie is the most prestigious publishing award in the western United States, and I’m beyond thrilled that in our third consecutive year of being a finalist we won,” Aspen Sojourner publisher Nancy Mayer said in a statement.

“The competition was tough: We beat out almost two dozen very impressive publications in a broad range of editorial criteria … I’m incredibly proud of our staff.”

Aspen Sojourner is published four times a year by Southwest Media LLC. The magazine is distributed in-room at hotels and lodging properties throughout the Roaring Fork Valley, and on newsstands in 22 states

BASALT ” Slifer Designs has announced that it is expanding retail operations in November to the Willits Town Center in Basalt. Modeled after the flagship store in Edwards, the new showroom will feature a variety of vignettes displaying furniture, art, accessories and “green” items for the home.

Slightly larger than the Edwards store, the new Basalt showroom will be 5,255 square feet.

“Our business formula of changing products weekly sets us apart from the competition,” said Susan Ferrari, director of retail operations for Slifer Designs, in a statement. “In addition, we are doing more residential and hospitality design projects in the Roaring Fork Valley, so this move is a natural expansion for us. Our goal is to offer unparalleled service and exclusive products to the Roaring Fork Valley.”

The Basalt Slifer Designs showroom will be located next to Whole Foods Market in the Willits Town Center.