The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to award The Paint Factory with its Retail Innovation award as part of the 2021 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Innovation is core to who Tara Tepley is and that is reflected in every inch of her store,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “At a time when she could have just sat back and hoped her business would rebound, Tara’s sense of purpose and desire to help her customers shined as did her truly innovative approach to retailing. We are so pleased to recognize The Paint Factory with our Retail Innovation award.”

“Facebook Friday, take-home projects, and remote instruction weren’t even on my radar before the pandemic hit,” says Tara Tepley, owner and instructor of The Paint Factory. “I believe in connecting with customers and really listening to them, and from that, with some added imagination, came a lot of changes. I wanted to support my customers and the community during the most difficult moments of the past year and a half. I am blessed to have a store in such a great community where people come together to help each other, and if some of my innovations contributed to the health and happiness of people I am proud.”

“Tara’s ability to look beyond what was happening to her business and jump into what she could for her customers, was incredible to watch unfold,” says Mary Hodson, president of the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism. “She represents #MuchInHutch in all she does!”

The Paint Factory was nominated by the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism and is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Retail Innovation award. Eight other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Social Responsibility, Retail Employee of the Year, Customer Commitment, Best Place to Work, Retail Community of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and Retailer of the Year.

Tara Tepley will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features six 20-minute practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovations strategies and ideas.

Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Jeff Lindoo with its Lifetime Achievement award as part of the 2021 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Jeff is an outstanding business leader and his name means something to so many people here is Minnesota,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “If you have been a part of any meaningful business or pharmacy change, Jeff has likely been at the center of the conversations that produced that change. I am not sure I know a humbler and more respected leader among retailers, and organizations like the Minnesota Retailers Association have benefited greatly from his servant leader approach.  It’s with great admiration and appreciation for Jeff that we present him with our Lifetime Achievement award.”

"I am honored to receive this award,” says Jeff Lindoo. “During my time as vice president of Thrifty White Pharmacy I learned how to tell our story to not only the community but to legislators. I have loved being a part of and seeing my industry grow and evolve. The key to making change is showing up, seizing opportunities, and bringing passion to the issues. I am grateful I have had so many opportunities in my life.”

Jeff Lindoo is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Lifetime Achievement award. Eight other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Employee of the Year, Social Responsibility, Retail Innovation, Customer Commitment, Best Place to Work, Retail Community of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and Retailer of the Year.

Jeff Lindoo will accept the award at the Retail Rally event on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features six 20-minute practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovations strategies and ideas.

Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Twin Town Guitars with its Best Place To Work award as part of the 2021 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“When you walk in the door of Twin Town Guitars you instantly know why people love working there,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “The environment is perfect for music enthusiasts but even more so it feels like a big retail family. Andrew and Carrie are some of the nicest people you’ll meet, and their approach to making customers happy creates an amazing work environment that would be the envy of just about any retailer. We are so pleased to recognize Twin Town Guitars as a Best Place To Work.”

“We are excited to be selected as a 2021 Minnesota’s Retail Champion recipient in the category of Best Place to Work,” says Andrew Bell, co-owner of Twin Town Guitars in Minneapolis. “This award is a reflection that when you work at Twin Town Guitars you are not just gaining a job, you are gaining a family. We have had some of the same employees for decades and we are all truly a team. Our staff and our business do a great job at making everyone who comes in the store feel at home.”

"The folks at Twin Town truly understand what it means to be a strong contributor to our local community,” says Matt Perry, president of the Southwest Business Association. “Their dedication to the people in and around their business is a key component of their longevity and the great unique community that has developed in Southwest Minneapolis. We're thankful to count them among the leaders in our area."

Twin Town Guitars was nominated by the Southwest Business Association and is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Best Place To Work award. Eight other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Employee of the Year, Retail Innovation, Social Responsibility, Customer Commitment, Lifetime Achievement, Retail Community of the Year, Advocate of the Year, and Retailer of the Year.

A representative of Twin Town Guitars will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features six 20-minute practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovations strategies and ideas.

Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.