St. Paul (October 4, 2022) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to award Urban Growler Brewing Co. with the Building Community Through Retail award as part of the 2022-2023 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Urban Growler Brewing Co. is the very first women-owned microbrewery in Minnesota, and while that is an accomplishment worth celebrating, what is truly incredible about Urban Growler is how they build community,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “Urban Growler and owners Jill and Deb don’t just sell great beer, they have created an inclusive retail environment where your background, your outlook and even your politics are welcome. This is the first time we have recognized an organization for Building Community Through Retail and there is no better recipient. Urban Growler is the community.”

"When you value the input of a broad cross-section of the community that values inclusivity, there’s nothing you can’t accomplish," said Jill Pavlak. “"We are incredibly honored to receive this award. We built the brewery to bring people together. It is truly at the core of all we do. Our team, our guests, regulars and newcomers, make the place. We have always wanted to make those that believed in our mission since day one, proud. We want to be an Urban oasis for all. "If there’s one reason we would be recognized (and we’re humbly grateful BTW) for this specific award, it is that building community is at the heart of who Urban Growler has always been."

Urban Growler is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Building Community Through Retail award. Ten other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Lifetime Achievement, Retailer of the Year, Retail Manager of the Year, Best Place To Work, Advocate of the Year, Social Responsibility, Partner of the Year, Customer Experience, and Special Achievement.

Jill Pavlak and Deb Loch will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 6, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas. Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2022-2023 Minnesota's Retail Champions award winners.

About the Minnesota Retailers Association: The Minnesota Retailers Association promotes, preserves and enhances the retail industry in Minnesota by taking a leadership position in development of public policy and regulatory measures that impact members. MnRA also works to enhance the public image of the retail industry by providing information, services and support that adds value to its members. www.mnretail.org.

Contact: Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (651) 227-6631

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St. Paul (October 4, 2022) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Kendall’s Ace Hardware with its Customer Experience award as part of the 2022 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Kendall’s Ace Hardware has fulfilled and continues to fulfill its mission to be the friendliest store in town,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “All it takes is about a minute in the store, a few looks up at the unique artwork, a few looks down at the dog and cat, and a second to be helped by a Kendall’s associate, and you know you have come to the right place to have your hardware and houseware problems solved. It’s an honor to recognize and congratulate Ashley, Matt and the entire team at Kendall’s with our Customer Experience award.”

Kendall’s Ace Hardware is one of the recipients of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Customer Experience award. Ten other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Manager of the Year, Social Responsibility, Best Place To Work, Advocate of the Year, Building Community Through Retail, Partner of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Special Achievement and Retailer of the Year.

Ashley and Matt Lloyd will accept the award during the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 6, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas. Retail Rally event information can be found at www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2022-2023 Minnesota's Retail Champions award winners.

About the Minnesota Retailers Association: The Minnesota Retailers Association promotes, preserves and enhances the retail industry in Minnesota by taking a leadership position in development of public policy and regulatory measures that impact members. MnRA also works to enhance the public image of the retail industry by providing information, services and support that adds value to its members. www.mnretail.org.

Contact: Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (651) 227-6631

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

Three mainstreet Minnesota retailers recognized as “America’s Retail Champions” by the National Retail Federation

July 28, 2022 - The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) is proud to announce the National Retail Federation (NRF) is honoring three Minnesota retailers as “America’s Retail Champions”. America’s Retail Champions is a program celebrating small retailers who are exceptional champions for retail and the communities they serve.

Only 33 retailers across the U.S. were selected as champions and are being recognized at NRF’s Retail Advocates Summit today.  A recognition dinner follows a day of meetings with Minnesota’s policymakers in Washington, D.C., discussing issues impacting retailers and “The Retail Experience”--an innovative demonstration of the impact of the retail industry.

Minnesota’s America’s Retail Champion Honorees:

Scott Farrell, Down in the Valley, www.downinthevalley.com (Golden Valley, Crystal, Maple Grove)

Farrell is the general manager of Down in the Valley, a retailer that has stood the test of time since 1972 and was recognized as Minnesota’s best record store by the Star Tribune in 2021. Farrell is a committed and demonstrated leader in his industry and among his peers, as well as a member of the MnRA Board of Directors. “Scott stepped up and was a leading voice on using state surplus dollars and federal funds to restore Minnesota’s unemployment trust fund to solvency this past year, avoiding a large cost increase on businesses at a critical time in our pandemic recovery,” says MnRA president Bruce Nustad. “In addition, Scott is a thought leader on product regulation and innovation. He and Down in the Valley are worthy of NRF’s America’s Retail Champion recognition.”

Lonnie McQuirter, 36 Lyn Refuel Station, www.36lyn.com (Minneapolis)

McQuirter is director of operations at 36 Lyn Refuel Station, an independent convenience store where people from all walks of life feel welcome, and many products are locally supplied. McQuirter is a past MnRA Board chair and a strong community supporter. “Lonnie represents everything great about Minnesota’s retail industry,” says Bruce Nustad. “He is one of the first people in a room to share his experiences and perspective that are always grounded in what is best for his customers, his employees, and his community. In addition, Lonnie truly brings people and organizations together making him an amazing advocate and leader, and an excellent choice for America’s Retail Champion.”

Christine Ward, Patina, www.patinastores.com (Minneapolis, Golden Valley, St. Paul, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, Roseville)

Ward co-owns Patina, a Minnesota retail treasure started in 1993 with an ever-changing array of products to match its vision to escape and inspire. Ward is a great employer with a knack for listening to her employees and customers. “Christine brought her voice forward during a critical pandemic moment to advocate for safe retailing during the most uncertain of times,” says Bruce

Nustad.  “She had a lead voice with elected officials and truly advocated for small businesses. Christine authored a letter that read like a manifesto for safely reopening retail.  That letter informed the conversations around opening retail for curbside and in-store business. Christine and Patina are excellent honorees as America’s Retail Champions.”

Please join us in congratulating Farrell, McQuirter and Ward as America’s Retail Champions honorees.

Learn more:

Minnesota Retailers Association - www.mnretail.org
National Retail Federation - www.nrf.com
America’s Retail Champions - www.nrf.com/retail-advocates-summit-2022/americas-retail-champions-2022
The Retail Experience – www.nrf.com/retailexperience

The Minnesota Retailers Association supports retailers to the benefit of their customers, their communities, their employees, and our state economy. Retail impacts one in five Minnesota jobs.

Contact:
Savannah Sepic
Minnesota Retailers Association
380 St. Peter Street, Suite 1050, St. Paul, MN 55102 
Tel. (651) 227-6631, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.