St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is excited to announce Cry Baby Craig’s, as the recipient of its Vendor Partner of the Year award, part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

“Cry Baby Craig’s truly embodies what it means to be an outstanding vendor and retail partner,” said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. “Their commitment to delivering a top-tier product, combined with their proactive approach to working closely with retailers, has not only fueled their own growth but also elevated the businesses they collaborate with. They set the gold standard for what we seek in a vendor partner.”

Craig Kaiser, Founder and co-owner of Cry Baby Craig’s, expressed his gratitude: "Receiving this award is such an incredible honor. We feel fortunate to do what we love, and one of the best parts of it is building relationships with retailers. Creating a bond not only with them but also with their customers, who then become our customers, is really something special.”

Cry Baby Craig’s, renowned for its innovative and locally crafted hot sauces, has garnered a loyal following among both retailers and consumers. Their dedication to quality, creativity, and community has solidified their position as a standout in Minnesota’s dynamic food scene.

Cry Baby Craig’s is the sole recipient of the Vendor Partner of the Year award within 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, Retail Innovation, Customer Experience, Social Responsibility, Retail Community of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and Best Place to Work.

Kaiser and his co-owner Sam Bonin 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 award winner photos.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 26, 2024

Minnesota Retailers Celebrates Feder, Link and McQuirter As America’s Retail Champions Honorees

Saint Paul, MN –Minnesota Retailers is thrilled to announce that Hillary Feder of Hillary’s (Hopkins, MN), Cherie Link of My Happy Place Boutique (Somerset, WI), and Lonnie McQuirter of 36 Lyn Refuel Station (Minneapolis) have been recognized by the National Retail Federation (NRF) as honorees in the prestigious America's Retail Champions program. These outstanding individuals are among an elite group of 45 small retailers being celebrated at the 2024 Retail Advocates Summit in Washington, D.C., this week.

NRF’s America’s Retail Champions program celebrates small retailers who are exceptional advocates for retail and the communities they serve. Hillary, Cherie, and Lonnie were nominated by their peers in Minnesota, interviewed by an NRF selection committee, and selected from hundreds of nominations for this high honor.

Hillary Feder, owner of Hillary’s in Hopkins and past Board Chair of Minnesota Retailers, embodies the spirit of dedication and community engagement. Despite the demands of running her own business, Hillary consistently goes above and beyond to champion the interests of small businesses and retailers across Minnesota. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing the association's objectives and fostering collaboration among retailers.

One of Hillary's notable contributions is the development of the "Minnesota's Retail Champions" awards program, which recognizes outstanding retailers, suppliers, advocates, and communities within Minnesota’s retail industry. This program ties industry objectives to recognition, creating a platform to celebrate individuals and communities demonstrating a commitment to retail excellence and advocacy. These awards, presented annually at Retail Rally every October, showcase Hillary's passion for not only advocating for the industry but also recognizing and uplifting others who share her dedication.

Beyond her contributions to the awards program, Hillary actively engages in advocacy efforts at the Minnesota Capitol, testifying on important issues that impact retailers and small businesses. Her deep-rooted commitment to creating positive change and fostering a supportive environment for retailers to thrive is evident in her relentless advocacy work.

Cherie Link, co-owner of My Happy Place Boutique in Somerset, WI, has demonstrated remarkable dedication to fostering community growth and supporting small businesses. While Cherie's boutique is located in Wisconsin, her influence extends deeply into Minnesota, attracting a significant portion of her clientele from across the state line. Cherie has established herself as a cornerstone in her community, earning widespread respect and admiration for her unwavering commitment to mainstreet Somerset and the surrounding area. Through her dedication to creating a vibrant and thriving business environment, Cherie has played a vital role in fostering growth and revitalization in the region.

Cherie's advocacy extends beyond the walls of her boutique and into the heart of her community. Her steadfast support of small businesses has been instrumental in driving local economic development and promoting the unique charm and character of the area. By actively engaging with community members and stakeholders, Cherie has cultivated a sense of belonging and pride, making Somerset a destination of choice for residents and shoppers alike. Cherie's leadership, dedication, and passion for supporting local businesses and fostering community growth make her a true beacon of inspiration and a valued asset to the retail community.

Lonnie McQuirter, past Board Chair of Minnesota Retailers, and owner of 36 Lyn Refuel Station, has been a paragon of leadership and advocacy in the retail industry. Lonnie's unwavering commitment to the retail sector is evident through his proactive engagement on critical issues—from swipe fees to responsible retailing. Whether it's testifying at the Minnesota Capitol, advocating in Washington D.C., or collaborating with organizations like NRF and the National Association of Convenience Stores, Lonnie fearlessly represents the industry's concerns and amplifies the voices of his fellow retailers. His ability to articulate the real-life impacts of legislation on employees and communities resonates with elected officials and underscores the importance of informed decision-making.

Beyond his legislative efforts, Lonnie's dedication extends to grassroots initiatives within his local community of Minneapolis. By bringing people together and leading by example, he fosters collaboration and drives meaningful change. Lonnie's leadership inspires others to action, demonstrating a big-picture mentality and a genuine commitment to improving the retail landscape.

"We are incredibly proud of Hillary, Cherie, and Lonnie for their dedication and achievements," said Bruce Nustad, president of Minnesota Retailers. "Their recognition as America’s Retail Champions is a testament to their hard work, advocacy, and the positive influence they have on their communities. We congratulate each of them on this outstanding and well-deserved achievement."

Join us in celebrating these exceptional retailers and their contributions to our industry. Their recognition at the 2024 Retail Advocates Summit highlights the importance of small retailers in driving economic growth and community development.

Learn more:

Minnesota Retailers - www.mnretail.org
National Retail Federation - www.nrf.com
America’s Retail Champions - https://nrf.com/retail-advocates-summit-2024/americas-retail-champions-2024

Minnesota Retailers represents small, regional, and national retailers across the state, advocating for the industry and promoting retail innovation. Our mission is to ensure collective success across Minnesota by advancing retail for retailers, partners, employees, consumers, and policymakers. For more information about Minnesota Retailers and our commitment to advancing retail in Minnesota, visit www.mnretail.org.

St. Paul (October 2, 2023) -- Join the Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) as we recognize twelve leading retailers and industry partners with the announcement of the 2023-2024 Minnesota’s Retail Champions.

Winners will accept their awards during Retail Rally (www.retailrally.com) on Wednesday, October 11, 2023, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Bloomington. Retail Rally is changing the way retailers and their key business partners engage with today’s consumer. The event features practical, game-changing, cutting-edge retail innovation strategies and ideas, and the insights of Weber Shandwick, and their presentation “Predicting the Future: A Look Ahead at Top Cultural Trends Fueling Shoppers' Behavior in 2024.” There the team from Wisdom Gaming Studios will also be presenting on the intricacies of the metaverse and demonstrate how retailers can effectively reach and engage customers in this innovative space.

“We are proud to recognize twelve innovative retailers, communities and partners that are leading the way in connecting with consumers and today’s trends following a vigorous process to identify Minnesota’s Retail Champions,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “The retail industry has a deep impact on Minnesota communities, and these award recipients are truly representative of what is great about retail across the state, how the industry is changing, and what it takes to attract customers today.”

The following is a complete list of the 2023-2024 Minnesota’s Retail Champion award recipients:

Vendor Partner of the Year
ShelettaMakesMeLaugh.com, Cottage Grove, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Customer Experience
Von Hanson’s Meats, Monticello, MN
*nominated by the Monticello Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Collaboration
Amazing Grace Boutique, by Mae, Olita Gifts and Goods, Hutchinson, MN
*nominated by the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Social Responsibility
CAP Carpet & Flooring, New Brighton, MN
*nominated by the Waste Wise, program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Family Business of the Year
Bridal Aisle Boutique, Osseo, MN
*nominated by the Metro North Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Community Partner of the Year
Walt’s, Willmar, MN
*nominated by the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Advocacy Leadership
Charles Anderson, Marine on St. Croix, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Advocate Partner of the Year
Minnesota Organized Retail Crime Association, St. Paul, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Advocate of the Year
Walter Dillon, Minneapolis, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Mentor of the Year
Patricia Chinander, Love From USA Group, Shoreview, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Community of the Year
Owatonna, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

Retail Entrepreneur of the Year
Adam Johnson, Pioneer Midwest, Osseo, MN
Click here to read more about this award, including quotes.

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