Alabama Retail Association on the road to recognize Retailers of the Year

August 25, 2023

The Alabama Retail Association this year will honor 12 retail businesses with operations in 13 Alabama cities as Retailers of the Year. Together, these businesses employ almost 350 at 19 Alabama locations. Alabama Retail has been presenting the Retailer of the Year Awards since 1999.

A panel of judges – representing retail developers and investors, chambers of commerce and former Retailers of the Year – selected 11 of this year’s Retailers of the Year from 57 entries submitted from a pool of 86 nominees. Each winner has demonstrated a blend of sound business practices along with commitment to their communities, customers and employees. From the 57 entrants, the public chose the Customers’ Choice Award through a contest online and on the Alabama Retail Association’s Facebook page.

Throughout the month of September, the Alabama Retail Association is traveling the state to present the awards in person to this year’s recipients. The level of each winner’s award will be announced during the presentations.

In the meantime, congratulate the retailers to be honored:

  • Aisha Taylor, owner and chief executive officer of Bridge + Root in Birmingham – Sept. 18
  • Bryson Kessler, owner of Clover + Bee in Vestavia Hills – Sept. 25
  • David and Jennifer Smith, president and vice president of David Christopher’s Inc. in Sheffield – Sept. 15
  • Elizabeth Adams, owner/designer of ExVoto in Mountain Brook and Montgomery – Sept. 25
  • Gregg Wood, owner and president, and his son, Ben Wood, sales manager, of JBT Power in Daphne and Semmes – Aug. 30
  • Sarah Jane Levine, owner of Lily Jane Boutique in Auburn – Sept. 8
  • Mark McKinnon, owner and chief executive officer of McKinnon Toyota and Nissan in Clanton – Sept. 18
  • Ann C. Welch, owner/operator of Nunnally’s Noble Frame & Gallery in Anniston – Sept. 14
  • Sid, Shea, Brian and Gina Schroll, owners of The Name Dropper/Storkland in Montgomery – Sept. 11
  • Tuc and Reese Wilson, owners of Saw’s Inc., and Jennifer Wilson, president, chief executive officer and manager of Saw’s Inc. in Homewood and managing member of Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline. Besides Saw’s Juke Joint, the Wilson family also holds the majority ownership of Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Birmingham – Sept. 21
  • Melissa Sides Anderson, owner and president of Toodlebugs in Athens – Sept. 14
  • Christie Howell, owner of Wrapsody in Hoover, Auburn and Trussville with a Homewood store slated to open in October – Sept. 8

“It is an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of retailers. Each retailer honored is a credit to their community and the retail industry,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association.

>> Previous Retailers of the Year

The Alabama Retail Association represents retailers, the largest private employer in the state of Alabama, before the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. Congress. Through sales of food, clothing, furniture, medicine and more, our 4,300 independent merchant and national company members touch almost every aspect of daily living. Since 1943, we’ve worked to promote what’s best for the retail industry in Alabama. Whether voicing the retail view when public policy is made, educating members about issues that impact them, negotiating rates for benefits and services or communicating the retail story, the Alabama Retail Association and its members are better together.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Nancy King Dennis | 334.551.0643 | 800.239.5423

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