The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize the community of Winona and the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce with its Retail Community of the Year award as part of the 2021 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Many communities across the state do a great job of supporting retailers, but Winona stands out as a shining example of what can be done when a community works together through the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “It takes true collaboration to try new things and a shared vision to accomplish what Winona has in support of the entire community. We congratulate Winona and the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce, and all of its partners, on being named Retail Community of the Year.”

“We are so proud of how the Chamber, the City, the County, and businesses have come together to support the entire community,” says Christie Ransom, president and CEO of the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve started many new initiatives for the sole purpose of supporting our retailers, our businesses, and every Winona area employee. The team here at the Chamber and all of our partners have been all hands on deck to support the community during some truly difficult times, and we have gotten the job done. While there is always more work to do, as a community leader I am proud to accept this recognition for all of Winona.”

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

Christie Ransom with the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce 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.

The Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to recognize Como Pharmacy with its Customer Commitment award as part of the 2021 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“The team at Como Pharmacy has been doing everything they can this past year to make sure their customers have been served, despite so many challenges,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “Their customers depend on them for quality-of-life and in many cases lifesaving medications, and Pao Kue and his very small team have bent over backwards to make sure everyone gets what they need. From curbside, to in-store, to free home delivery, Como Pharmacy has gone well beyond what most people would expect to see—that’s true customer commitment. It’s an honor to recognize the Como Pharmacy team for their outstanding commitment to customers.”

“Our customers, some of which are elderly or non-english speakers, have really needed us to be there for them,” says Pao Kue, pharmacist and owner of Como Pharmacy in St. Paul. “I am proud of the work of the team here and their commitment to making sure every customer gets their medications. Running a neighborhood pharmacy today is difficult, but we do it for our neighbors and our community. We know we are making a difference in so many lives”.  

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

Pao Kue 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 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.