St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to announce Hmong Village in St. Paul as the recipient of the Retail Innovation Award, part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Hmong Village is a remarkable example of what can be achieved through innovation and a deep understanding of community needs," said Bruce Nustad, President of the Minnesota Retailers Association. "By blending retail with cultural heritage and offering a dynamic shopping experience, coupled with a deep commitment to being a strong environmental steward, Hmong Village has created a unique marketplace in Minnesota. We’re honored to recognize them with this year’s Retail Innovation Award."

Terry Vang, Manager of Hmong Village, expressed gratitude for the award, stating, "We are truly honored to receive the Retail Innovation Award. Hmong Village was built on the idea of bringing people together and recreating a shopping experience that felt like home. Our goal has always been to create a space where culture is celebrated, a community can prosper, and we can lead in being stewards. This award is a testament to the dedication of our vendors and the ongoing support of our customers. We’re excited to continue serving our community."

"Hmong Village has impressed Energy Smart with its commitment to environmental stewardship, consistently demonstrating dedication to reducing energy usage year after year,” said Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Director of Environmental Sustainability Patrick Deal. “By prioritizing energy efficiency through ongoing efforts, Hmong Village has set a high standard for sustainable practices and demonstrated its commitment to the future of the community."

Hmong Village has grown into both a cultural and commercial hub, housing over 200 small businesses that offer a variety of products and services, from traditional Hmong clothing and crafts to fresh produce, groceries, and diverse dining experiences. Since its inception, Hmong Village has redefined retail in the Twin Cities, providing a vibrant space where the community and visitors can connect with Hmong culture while enjoying a unique shopping experience.

Hmong Village was nominated by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce’s Energy Smart program and is the sole recipient of the Retail Community of the Year award within the Minnesota Retail Champions program. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be recognized in categories such as Retail Mentor of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, Customer Experience, Advocate of the Year, Retail Community of the Year, Social Responsibility, Retailer of the Year, and Best Place to Work.

Vang will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

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About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

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

St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to recognize Peace Coffee with the Social Responsibility Award as part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Peace Coffee exemplifies true leadership in social responsibility," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "Their unwavering commitment to fair trade, sustainable farming, and supporting local communities sets a high bar. We are honored to acknowledge Peace Coffee for their profound impact and continued leadership in sustainability, ethics, and responsible business practices."

“Peace Coffee’s mission for change dates back to its founding,” said Lee Wallace, Owner and CEO of Peace Coffee. “From the beginning, we’ve worked to create a positive impact for everyone in our supply chain and the communities we touch. What I’m most proud of is how we’ve been able to grow and scale while staying true to our core values.”

Since its inception, Peace Coffee has remained dedicated to building a sustainable coffee supply chain that prioritizes the well-being of both farmers and the environment. By sourcing beans from fair trade cooperatives and implementing eco-friendly initiatives like compostable packaging and bike-powered coffee deliveries, Peace Coffee ensures every cup they brew contributes to positive change both locally and globally.

Peace Coffee is the sole recipient of the Social Responsibility Award in the Minnesota Retail Champions program. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be recognized in categories such as Retailer of the Year, Retail Mentor of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Retail Innovation, Customer Experience, Advocate of the Year, Retail Community of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Best Place to Work.

Wallace will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuing this award winner!

Click here to see photos of the award winner.

Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

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

St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – The Minnesota Retailers Association is thrilled to recognize Latuff Brothers Auto Body with the Customer Experience award as part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Latuff Brothers Auto Body embodies what it means to prioritize the customer," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "Their dedication to clear communication, top-quality workmanship, and outstanding customer satisfaction sets a high bar in their industry. Customers expect expertise alongside convenience and transparency, and Latuff Brothers consistently delivers on both, making them a true leader in customer experience across Minnesota."

Robert Latuff, one of the proud owners of Latuff Brothers Auto Body, explained their customer-centric approach: "The reason customers love coming to us is because they trust us. They know that when they bring their vehicle in, we have the expertise and a long history of delivering excellent service, which gives them peace of mind."

“An auto body shop works with people who are under the stress of a damaged vehicle, and sometimes personal injury too,” said Chad Kulas, Executive Director of the Midway Chamber of Commerce. “Having a company like Latuff Brothers who takes care of the customer and makes them feel special is so important and can make a big difference to someone.”

With over 90 years of serving the Twin Cities community, Latuff Brothers Auto Body has earned a reputation for not just fixing vehicles but restoring customers' confidence. Their focus on clear communication, regular updates, and ensuring that every customer feels heard and valued throughout the repair process has set them apart. From the initial estimate to the completed repair, Latuff Brothers ensures the entire experience is seamless and stress-free.

Latuff Brothers Auto Body was nominated by the Midway Chamber of Commerce and is the sole recipient of the Customer Experience award in the Minnesota Retail Champions program. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be honored in categories such as Retailer of the Year, Retail Mentor of the Year, Advocate of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Retail Innovation, Social Responsibility, Retail Community of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Best Place to Work.

The Latuff’s will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuing this award winner!

Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

About Minnesota Retailers: Minnesota Retailers is a non-profit association formed to improve communities through a holistic investment in retail, representing small, regional, and national retailers. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for businesses, employees, consumers, and policymakers. Our vision is to be the driving force in the evolution of the state's retail landscape through advocacy, valuable insights, and championing innovation. More at www.mnretail.org.

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