CLANTON – Adena Green, owner of Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts in Clanton, is the 2021 Silver Alabama Retailer of the Year in the Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million category. Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts is one of 11 retail businesses being honored by the Alabama Retail Association as Retailers of the Year.

Five years ago, Green started Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts in a small room inside of a hair salon. Her business has grown considerably over the years and now has an established storefront that doubled in size in the past year. Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts sells clothing, jewelry, shoes, home décor and seasonal decorations and is known in Clanton for its excellent customer service.

“Hope’s Chest has set a high standard for other businesses to follow in customer service, community involvement and support she offers to fellow business owners,” Glenda Popwell, branch manager for Hamilton Mortgage Corp. in Clanton, said in a letter of recommendation for the store.

Proving her commitment to customer service, Green went out of her way to meet her community’s needs this year by supplying toilet paper, paper towels and hand sanitizer throughout the pandemic. “We try to go above and beyond for our customers and our community,” Green said.

Although the pandemic has created challenges for retailers, the Clanton store doubled its online sales in 2020 because of an increase in social media posts on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok. Green’s daughter hit more than 100,000 followers on TikTok last year, which played a significant role in the increased online sales. Once the store was able to reopen fully, Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts had one of its best Black Friday and Christmas seasons yet.

Rachel Martin, executive director of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, nominated Green for the award because of her commitment to her community. “Not only has she kept a beautiful storefront and kept her business running strong, but she has also been very active in serving her community and meeting the needs of those around her,” Martin said. The Retailer of the Year judges also commended her for giving back to her community and for targeting the underserved.

Over the past five years, Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts and Green have organized drives to provide school supplies, backpacks and school clothing for children throughout Chilton County, provided prom dresses for girls in need, helped families get Christmas gifts and made donations to Through the Grace of God ministry, a nonprofit organization in Clanton providing food and shelter to people in need.

“I was shocked and honored to be nominated by the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce for this award,” Green said in accepting the award today. “I have always loved helping others and Hope’s Chest has given me the platform to do that on a larger scale.  I am so thankful for this community that supports my business and me.  I hope to be able to continue giving back to them to show my appreciation.”

The Alabama Retailer of the Year awards, started in 1999, honor retailers who have demonstrated growth, innovation and a commitment to their respective communities. This year’s winners were selected from 49 entries submitted from a pool of 80 nominees.

“Adena Green is a retailer of the year EVERY year to Hope’s Chest customers, her five employees and the Clanton community,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown.

Other 2021 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 4,300 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 CONTACTS:
Adena Green, Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts | 205.258.5600
Nancy King Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.868.2195 | 800.239.5423