ORANGE BEACH – A commitment to community, employees and the environment helped Cobalt The Restaurant become the Silver Alabama Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales $5 Million to $20 Million category. Nestled under the Perdido Bay Bridge in Orange Beach, the waterfront dining restaurant attracts both locals and visitors with its coastal cuisine and beautiful beach views. The 2018 Retailer of the Year judges noted that owner Brian Harsany and his staff “are leading the way for others in the area by their focus on service.”

Brian and Jodi Harsany

“We strive to make sure we give our guests the best customer service, but to do that, we need to take care of our employees,” said Brian Harsany. “We do a lot of things with our employees in the community, so we can get them involved and get a good grasp on what it means to be part of a community.”

Orange Beach City Councilman Jerry Johnson, who nominated Brian and his wife, Jodi, for the award, said, “No matter what it is, even if it’s the last minute – if we need catering or people to participate in cleaning an island, Brian and his team are always there. It’s really the culture they have created within their company.” 

(L to R) Brian Harsany, Jodi Harsany, Yolanda Johnson, and Jerry Johnson

The Harsanys opened Cobalt The Restaurant in 2009. They also own several other Orange Beach area restaurants, including Cosmo’s Restaurant & Bar, Buzzcatz Coffee & Sweets, Luna’s Eat & Drink and GTs on the Bay.

“Brian and his team are very unique,” said Yolanda Johnson, who also nominated the couple for the award. Johnson, who is a business adviser for the University of Alabama’s Small Business Development Center, added, “They are committed to their values, and we feel very fortunate and blessed to have them here in Orange Beach.”

Cobalt The Restaurant was one of 13 retail businesses honored today as Retailers of the Year. This year’s winners came from a pool of almost 100 nominees.

“Brian and Jodi Harsany are retailers of the year EVERY year to Cobalt The Restaurant customers, their 170 employees and the Orange Beach community,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown.

Full list of this year’s Retailers of the Year
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 4,200 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 CONTACTS:
Brian Harsany, Cobalt The Restaurant | 251-923-5300
Melissa Warnke, Alabama Retail Association | 256.338.0621 | 800.239.5423
Nancy Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.551.0643 | 800.239.5423