2022 Retailers of the Year

Alabama Retail Association recognizes 12 businesses

Ashley Mac’s, which has five locations in Birmingham, was one of the gold award winners in the 2022 Retailer of the Year awards, presented by the Alabama Retail Association. Photo by Dennis Washington for Alabama NewsCenter.

The Alabama Retail Association recognized 12 businesses with operations in 22 cities as Alabama Retailers of the Year.

A panel of judges chose 10 Alabama Retailer of the Year winners in four categories based on annual sales volume. Category winners have been in business for at least five years. The judges also selected an Emerging Retailer of the Year, which has been in business less than five years. An online and Facebook contest determined the Customers’ Choice Award winner.

“It is an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of retailers,” said Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association. “Each retailer honored is a credit to their community and the retail industry.”

In the annual sales less than $1 million, taking home the gold award was Chad and Kendra Wester of the Boll Weevil Soap Co. in Enterprise. Tena King and T.C. Morgan of King’s Olive Oil Co. in Gadsden came in silver and Kristal Bryant of K & J’s Elegant Pastries in Birmingham took home the bronze.

In the annual sales $1 million to $5 million category, Amy Jason of Cookie Fix in Homewood and Cahaba Heights and Cookie Fix Franchising, with a location in Huntsville, took home the gold. The silver award was presented to Bill Stitt, owner of Bill-E’s and Bill-E’s Small Batch Bacon in Fairhope. The bronze award went to Susan Gordon of Susan Gordon Pottery in Homewood.

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Ashley McMakin, of Ashley Mac’s, took home the gold award in the annual $5 million to $20 million category. Ashley Mac’s has five locations in Birmingham. The silver award in this category went to Joe and Kelli Richburg of J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop in Opp, while the bronze award went to Babbie Styslinger of At Home Furnishings in Homewood.

In the annual sales more than $20 million category, Brent Barkin of Shoe Station Inc./Shoe Carnival Inc. took home the top honor. The Shoe Station banner of Shoe Carnival has 10 stores in Alabama and 22 stores overall. It was nominated by the Mobile Chamber of Commerce.

Recognized as the Gee Emerging Retailer of the Year was Jaclyn Robinson, founder and owner of Mo’Bay Beignet Co., with two locations in Mobile and one each in Auburn, Orange Beach and Tuscaloosa. A sixth location is expected to open soon in Saraland.

And taking home the Customers’ Choice Award was Rustique Relics in Clanton. Rustique is owned by Rodney and Melissa Baker. It received 22% of the 7,684 votes cast in the online contest.

The Alabama Retail Association has been presenting the awards since 1999.

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