From left, Missy, Rodney and Emily Baker, the three-member team at Rustique Relics.

CLANTON –  Rustique Relics in Clanton, owned by Rodney and Melissa “Missy” Baker, is the 2022 Alabama Retailer of the Year Customers’ Choice Award winner. The Alabama Retail Association will present the Baker family with their award at 10:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at their 706 2nd Ave. N. store.

Among the 42 Alabama Retailer of the Year entries, Rustique Relics received the most votes in a contest that ran from Aug. 1 to Aug. 15 on the Alabama Retail Association’s website and Facebook. The combination antiques, home décor and general store received 1,669 votes, or 22% of the 7,684 votes cast. In the contest, customers praised Rustique Relics for its “awesome booths” and called it a “wonderful shop” and “amazing place.” As one customer said, “A lot of work and dedication was put into this family store! Great folks!”

“We are truly humbled by our customers support, without them there is no Rustique Relics,” said Rodney and Missy. “We are thankful for everyone’s votes and for the opportunity to win the 2022 Customers’ Choice Award. We hope to continue to serve our customers and our community for years to come. We have been blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people in and around our lives.”

The store features 71 vendors offering a variety of items ranging from antiques, home décor and boutique clothing to handmade goods, collectibles and more. The Bakers primary marketing strategy takes place through social media, where they post product photos on Facebook almost daily. They’ve also added videos and been active on TikTok and Instagram. In addition, the Bakers said that at the start of 2022, “we started hosting special customer shopping events the first weekend of each month in which we have gift bags and giveaways.”

“Rodney and Melissa Baker are carrying on the family legacy and business with Rustique Relics,” wrote Rachel Martin, executive director of the Chilton County Chamber of Commerce, who nominated the Bakers as a Retailer of the Year. “The store, opened by Melissa’s mother in 2017, is now run by the couple after her passing. Rustique Relics is featured on the Alabama Antique Trail and brings in customers from across the state and nation, making them a tremendous asset to our community.”

Maymay Helms, owner of Maymay Made It, another Clanton business, wrote in a letter of recommendation: “I have had the pleasure of working with Melissa and Rodney Baker for several years. They love our community, our downtown and Chilton County. I believe they exemplify what businesses can and should do for and around our community.”

“The Bakers are retailers of the year EVERY year to Rustique Relic’s customers, their 71 vendors and the Clanton community,” said Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown.

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:
Rodney and Melissa Baker | 205.258.5775
Nancy King Dennis, Alabama Retail Association | 334.868.2195 | 800.239.5423

Originally published 7 a.m. Aug. 17, 2022