HOMEWOOD – Mike and Jennifer Wilson opened the first Saw’s barbecue restaurant in 2009 in Homewood, “Mike manned the store, while I handled the books, finances and ‘office’ work,” said Jennifer Wilson, who at the time was a full-time teacher….
BIRMINGHAM – Alabama’s 2023 Gee Emerging Retailer of the Year is Aisha Taylor, CEO and owner of Bridge + Root, which occupies a sleek space in historic downtown Birmingham facing First Avenue North. Taylor said being named the state’s top…
CLANTON – Mark McKinnon, owner and chief executive officer of McKinnon Toyota and Nissan in Clanton, is the Alabama Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales More Than $20 Million category. “I’m very excited for the dealerships and the…
ATHENS – Melissa Sides Anderson, owner and president of Toodlebugs in Athens, has been named an Alabama Gold Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million category. “Toodlebugs has served as the perfect platform for me…
ANNISTON – For Ann Welch, owner/operator of Nunnally’s Noble and Frame Gallery in downtown Anniston, increased framing and art gallery sales produced a record year for her shop in 2022. In recognition of her success, Welch is the Silver Alabama…
SHEFFIELD – David Christopher’s Inc. in Sheffield is the 2023 Alabama Retailer of the Year Customers’ Choice Award winner. The Alabama Retail Association presented David and Jennifer Smith with their award today at their retail store at 411 S. Montgomery…
FLORENCE – In 2015, Grogan Jewelers celebrated 100 years in Florence. That same year, Lon Brown, the owner of Lon’s Jewelers, purchased the store and merged the two businesses. With the merger, a new name was introduced that both preserves…
ATHENS – Ulysses Grant White founded U.G. White Hardware and Implement Co. on the southeast corner of the square in Athens in 1917. By 1937, the business moved to 101 N. Jefferson St., where it continues to serve as an…
MONTGOMERY – Sid, Shea, Brian and Gina Schroll operate “Montgomery’s great cover-up for kids” and “the store with everything for your baby,” two stores in a single 15,000-square-foot building in south-central Alabama’s premier shopping area. The Schrolls. owners of The…
AUBURN, HOOVER and TRUSSVILLE – While Christie Howell was a student at Auburn University studying early childhood education, she worked part time for the downtown Auburn gift store, Wrapsody. At the time, Wrapsody was a two-store chain that began in…