Photos upon request
Winner names link to full releases on each winner
BIRMINGHAM – The Alabama Retail Association (ARA) in cooperation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Business today recognized 12 outstanding Alabama retailers representing 10 retail businesses with operations in 10 Alabama cities as Retailers of the Year. ARA also recognized three businesses as Centennial Retailers, retailers in business for 100 or more years. The presentations were made at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center in Birmingham during the 2010 Retail Day Luncheon. This marked the 11th presentation of the Retailer of the Year Awards since 1999 and the eighth presentation of the Centennial Retailers since 2002.
RETAILERS OF THE YEAR
A panel of judges chose the Retailer of the Year finalists in three categories by Alabama annual sales volume: less than $1 million; $1 million to $5 million; and more than $5 million. Bronze, silver and gold awards were presented in each category.
Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million
- GOLD AWARD: Jean Clayton, owner of Christine’s Inc. in Mountain Brook; nominated by Suzan Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.
- SILVER AWARD: Carol and Stephen Brooks, owners of Carol Brooks Home & Holiday Shoppe in Prattville; nominated by Jeremy Arthur, executive vice president of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce.
- BRONZE AWARD: Homer and Adam Brown, president and store manager for BumperNets Inc. in Hoover; nominated by Robert Linthout, president of the Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce.
Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million
- GOLD AWARD (Tie):
- Janet Holcomb, owner of The Fitting Touch in Birmingham; nominated by Mary Beyer Lell, a leasing associate for Bayer Properties.
- Jimmy Ray Smith, vice president of Jimmy Smith Jewelers in Decatur; nominated by Wally Terry, director of general services for the city of Decatur.
- SILVER AWARD: Michael Johnson, owner of Terramé Day Spa and Salon in Huntsville.
- BRONZE AWARD: Nick Nicholson, general manager of MAFIAoZA’s Pizzeria and Neighborhood Pub in Mountain Brook; nominated by Suzan Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.
Annual Sales More Than $5 Million
- GOLD AWARD: Mark Whitlock, president of Mark’s Outdoor Sports in Vestavia Hills; nominated by Terry H. Waters, Alabama Power Co.; Travis Owens, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses; Will Primos, Primos Hunting Calls; Kevin Benton, Pure Fishing; Shelby County Sheriff Chris Curry; Paul Rossi, Skeeter Products Inc.; Andy Everett, Stewart Sneed Hewes Insurance Agency; David C. Smitherman, The Better Business Bureau; and James Shepherd, The Outdoor Wire Digital Network.
- SILVER AWARD: Eddie Davis, president and pharmacist for York Drug Inc. in York and The Drug Store Inc. in Livingston; nominated by Kelley Jordan, former executive director of the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce.
- BRONZE AWARD: Ann Murray, office manager and buyer for Carter Drug Co. and Carters Books & Gifts; nominated by Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce.
“This was an exciting day for us,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. “It is an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of retailers. Each retailer honored is a credit to the retail industry and a community asset.”
>> Previous Retailers of the Year
CENTENNIAL RETAILERS
ARA presents the Centennial Retailer award annually. To notify ARA of a retail business that has been in operation for 100 years or more, please contact Nancy Dennis at (800) 239-5423.
“For businesses to survive despite the dramatic changes of the past century is a remarkable achievement,” said ARA President Rick Brown. “It is fitting to celebrate the enduring contributions of these Alabama retail establishments to their communities.”
2010 ALABAMA CENTENNIAL RETAILERS
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER BY YEAR FOUNDED
The Greenville Advocate
Greenville
Founded in 1865 by James B. Stanley
Owner: Boone Newspapers Inc.
Searcy Funeral Home and Crematory
Enterprise
Founded in 1908 by Polk Houston Searcy
Owners: Bill and Will Searcy
M.L. Awbrey Inc.
Roanoke
Founded in 1909 by James Jackson Awbrey
Owner: Pat Awbrey