Video announcement
Photos upon request
Media releases for the individual winners linked below
The Alabama Retail Association this year honored six retail businesses with operations in eight Alabama cities as part of its Retailers of the Year awards program. Together, these businesses employ 181 at nine Alabama locations. Alabama Retail has been presenting the Retailer of the Year Awards since 1999.
2024 ALABAMA RETAILERS OF THE YEAR
Former Retailers of the Year chose three Alabama Retailer of the Year winners based on annual sales volume. The category winners have been in business for at least five years. The judges also selected two Emerging Retailers of the Year, who have been in business for less than five years. An online and Facebook contest determined the Customers’ Choice Award.
ANNUAL SALES LESS THAN $1 MILLION
- Dawne Douthit and Jessica Douthit Clark, mother-daughter owners of Epiphany Boutiques in Athens and Madison; nominated by Pammie Jimmar, president of the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.
ANNUAL SALES $1 MILLION TO $5 MILLION
- The Kessler family – Linda, Larry, Nick and Joel Kessler – owners of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s in Spanish Fort; nominated by Casey Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
ANNUAL SALES MORE THAN $5 MILLION
- Matthew and Stephanie Mell, owners of ChurchStreet Family Restaurant and Hospitality Group in Huntsville and Athens; nominated by Ashley Engles-Ross, vice president of small business for the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber, and Pammie Jimmar, president of the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce.
GEE EMERGING RETAILERS OF THE YEAR
- David and Leah Knight, owners of Bandwagon in Homewood and Vestavia Hills; nominated by Shay Gartman, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce.
- Alex Pikul, owner of Kind Cafe in Fairhope; nominated by Casey Williams, president and chief executive officer of the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
CUSTOMERS’ CHOICE AWARD
- Wills Creek Clothing in Attalla, owned and operated by Paige Ledbetter along with her business partner, Leigh Anne Kelley; nominated by Christie Robinson, president, and Jonathan Vo, marketing and events manager for the Etowah Chamber of Commerce.
“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.
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
Originally posted Sept. 20, 2024
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