The Alabama Retail Association this year recognized 11 retail businesses with operations in 13 Alabama cities as Alabama Retailers of the Year. Together, these businesses employ more than 400 at 16 locations. All have an online presence, eight have online stores. The presentations were made throughout the month of September at the recipients’ places of business. Alabama Retail has been presenting the Retailer of the Year Awards since 1999.
2021 Retailers of the Year
A panel of judges chose the Alabama Retailer of the Year winners in three categories based on annual sales volume. The winners have been in business for at least five years and an average of 22.5 years. The judges also selected an Emerging Retailer of the Year, who has been in business for less than five years. An online and Facebook contest determined the Customers’ Choice Award.
ANNUAL SALES LESS THAN $1 MILLION
• GOLD AWARD: April McClung, owner/chief executive officer of Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes in Homewood; nominated by Victor Brown, partner, Birmingham Business Alliance.
• SILVER AWARD: Adena Green, owner of Hope’s Chest Boutique & Gifts in Clanton; nominated by Rachel Martin, executive director, Chilton County Chamber of Commerce.
• BRONZE AWARD: Dewey and Annette Todd, owners of and partners in Todd Farms in Headland; nominated by Adrienne Wilkins, executive director, Headland Area Chamber of Commerce.
ANNUAL SALES $1 MILLION TO $5 MILLION
• GOLD AWARD: Sherry Hartley and Beth Staula, partners in Alabama Goods with stores in Homewood and Huntsville; nominated by Meredith Drennen, executive director, Homewood Chamber of Commerce.
• SILVER AWARD (Two-Way Tie):
◦ Patrick, Will and Tyler Younghouse, owners of Papa Dubi’s Cajun Kitchen in Albertville; nominated by Stan Witherow, president, Albertville Chamber of Commerce.
◦ Steve and Alisa Ascik, owners of Eastern Shore Ace Hardware in Spanish Fort; nominated by Casey Williams, president/CEO, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
ANNUAL SALES MORE THAN $5 MILLION
• GOLD AWARD: David and Jeff Barranco, owners of Chappy’s Deli, which has five locations in Montgomery (3), Prattville and Auburn; nominated by Anna Buckalew, president and chief executive officer, Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
• SILVER AWARD: Melissa M. Cross, president of McAleer’s Office Furniture in Mobile; nominated by Paige Williams, McAleer’s Office Furniture; Danette Richards, Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce; and Casey Williams, Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce.
• BRONZE AWARD: Ralph and Rebecca Sorrell, pharmacist/owners of Ritch’s Pharmacy in Mountain Brook; nominated by Suzan Doidge, executive director, Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce.
GEE EMERGING RETAILER OF THE YEAR
• Ashley Morrow, Joseph “Skip” Nichols and Josh Kelley, owners of The Shoppes at Coldwater in Tuscumbia; nominated by Caitlin Holland, president, Shoals Chamber of Commerce.
CUSTOMERS’ CHOICE AWARD
• Southern Gyp Boutique in Bay Minette owned by Crystal Peavy; nominated by the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Southern Gyp Boutique received 1,295 votes, or 12.4 percent of the 10,413 votes cast.
“It is an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of retailers, who have persevered and served their customers in difficult times. Each of these retailers is a credit to their community and the retail industry,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association.
