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 Name Dropper, an 82-year-old traditional children’s clothing store, and Storkland, a baby furnishings and gift store, which the Schrolls founded 46 years ago, are Alabama’s Silver Retailers of the Year in the Annual Sales $1 Million to $5 Million category.

“We have worked hard these 46 years, along with our wonderful employees, to provide the highest quality merchandise and best customer service for our loyal customers,” said the Schrolls, who have been outfitting Montgomery children and nurseries for two generations.

Elizabeth Walden, a customer who nominated the family, said the Schrolls fitted her in clothes and shoes from birth through early childhood and she stuck with the quality she knew when her daughter came along. “My first purchase after the initial ultrasound (for my daughter in 2020) was at The Name Dropper/Storkland,” said Walden. “One day my grandchildren will be shopping there,” Walden predicts, “and Brian Schroll and I can recall the day I came in and picked out my daughter’s stroller and her first outfit.”

Sid and Shea Schroll opened Storkland in 1977, then in 1984 bought The Name Dropper, which started in 1941 as Bronson’s. For three years, the Schrolls operated Storkland and The Name Dropper at separate locations. In July of 1987, they combined the two businesses under one roof at Stratford Square on Montgomery’s Eastern Boulevard. The Schrolls’ son, Brian, and his wife, Gina, joined the family business in 2001. The next year, The Shoppes at EastChase opened, and the Schrolls decided it was time to move to what they call “the perfect retail place.” They bought land, built a building and in July 2003 opened their current store at 7107 EastChase Parkway. It is the fifth location for The Name Dropper and the third location for Storkland.

“My family and I work hard to keep our business in step with the times while never letting go of the basics of a good business,” said Shea Schroll. “These basics include excellent customer service, quality merchandise and a pleasant environment.”

Even though they operate an omnichannel business, the Schrolls like “to write thank you notes to our customers” when time and personnel allow.

“It’s all four of them working,” said one of the Retailer of the Year judges, whose family is also a customer. “And they’re working all the time.”

In the past year, the Schrolls expanded their educational toy line plus added a new car seat and stroller line.

The Name Dropper/Storkland is among 11 businesses honored as the 2023 Retailers of the Year by the Alabama Retail Association.

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 57 entries submitted from a pool of 86 nominees.

“The Schrolls are retailers of the year EVERY year to their customers, 18 employees and to the Montgomery community,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown. The Name Dropper/Storkland has been an Alabama Retail Association member since 1993.

Other 2023 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:
Sid, Shea, Brian and Gina Schroll, The Name Dropper/Storkland | 334.277.7118
Nancy King Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.868.2195 | 800.239.5423