Alabama Retail Association honors 2023 Retailers of the Year

October 18, 2023

Video announcement
Photos upon request
Media releases for the individual winners linked below

The Alabama Retail Association this year honored 12 retail businesses with operations in 13 Alabama cities as Retailers of the Year. Together, these businesses employ more than 360 at 19 Alabama locations. Alabama Retail has been presenting the Retailer of the Year Awards since 1999. Gov. Kay Ivey has declared Friday, Oct. 20, as Alabama Retail Day to celebrate the contribution these and all of Alabama’s retail businesses make to our state.

2023 ALABAMA RETAILERS OF THE YEAR

A panel of judges chose 10 Alabama Retailer of the Year winners in four categories based on annual sales volume. The category winners have been in business for at least five years. The judges also selected an Emerging Retailer of the Year, who has been in business for less than five years. An online and Facebook contest determined the Customers’ Choice Award.

ANNUAL SALES LESS THAN $1 MILLION

  • GOLD AWARD (TIE):
    • Melissa Sides Anderson, owner and president of Toodlebugs in Athens; nominated by Pammie Jimmar, president of the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.
    • Sarah Jane Levine, owner of Lily Jane Boutique in Auburn; nominated by Anna Hovey, president and CEO of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.
  • SILVER AWARD: Ann C. Welch, owner/operator of Nunnally’s Noble Frame & Gallery in Anniston; nominated by Linda Hearn, executive director of the Calhoun County Area Chamber & Visitors Center.

ANNUAL SALES $1 MILLION TO $5 MILLION

  • GOLD AWARD: Bryson Kessler, owner of Clover + Bee in Vestavia Hills; nominated by Tracy Thornton, membership and marketing director of the Vestavia Hills Chamber of Commerce.
  • SILVER AWARD: Sid, Shea, Brian and Gina Schroll, owners of The Name Dropper/Storkland in Montgomery; nominated by customer Elizabeth Walden.
  • BRONZE AWARD: Elizabeth Adams, owner/designer of ExVoto in Mountain Brook and Montgomery; nominated by Emily Jensen, executive director, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.

ANNUAL SALES $5 MILLION TO $20 MILLION

  • GOLD AWARD: Christie Howell, owner of Wrapsody in Hoover, Auburn, Trussville and Homewood; nominated by Anna Hovey, president and CEO of the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.
  • SILVER AWARD: Gregg Wood, owner and president, and his son, Ben Wood, sales manager, of JBT Power in Daphne and Semmes; nominated by Casey Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
  • BRONZE AWARD: 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; nominated by Meredith Drennen, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce.

ANNUAL SALES MORE THAN $20 MILLION
RETAILER OF THE YEAR

  • Mark McKinnon, owner and CEO of McKinnon Toyota and Nissan in Clanton; nominated by Rachel Martin, executive director of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce.

GEE EMERGING RETAILER OF THE YEAR

  • Aisha Taylor, owner and chief executive officer of Bridge + Root in Birmingham; nominated by Erika Dix, chamber engagement partner with the Birmingham Business Alliance.

CUSTOMERS’ CHOICE AWARD

  • David and Jennifer Smith, president and vice president of David Christopher’s Inc. in Sheffield; nominated by Caitlin Burns, president of the Shoals Chamber of Commerce. David Christopher’s received 976 votes, or 22% of the 10,445 votes cast.

“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

Originally posted at 3:30 p.m. Aug. 23, 2023, without award levels. Updated Sept. 28, 2023, and Oct. 18, 2023.

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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