After reviewing dozens of applications from across the state, the Minnesota Retailers Association is pleased to announce the community of Alexandria, MN as the Retail Community of the Year in the 2018 Minnesota’s Retail Champions program.

“Alexandria was selected based on the unique partnerships that exist in the community that not only recognize the importance of a strong retail sector as a component of a vibrant area, but for the effort, resources and most importantly the cooperation among those partners,” says Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers Association president. “The Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Merchants Association, the City, Explore Alexandria Tourism, the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission, community and civic organizations, retailers, and others all work in concert to make the area a strong destination for shoppers. What is truly unique about Alexandria is the retail experiences that are created as the community works together.”

“Alexandria has a unique energy going on right now,” says Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tara Bitzan. “Some of that comes from the collaborations, partnerships and support shared by the various entities, but much of it also comes from the strong business-to-business support going on throughout the community. Instead of competing against each other, businesses are teaming up in many ways and working together for the good of the entire community. The impact of that has definitely been a positive thing for our community.”

“The Downtown Merchants Association is honored to be recognized for the work that is being done to help promote not only the Alexandria Downtown area but also the entire City of Alexandria,” says Pam Botker, president of the Alexandria Downtown Merchants Association. “We work closely with several area organizations to make sure that everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.  The City, Chamber, and Explore Alexandria have a great working relationship with the Downtown Merchants and we often work together to promote events which bring in shoppers from a wide geographical area.”

Representatives from Alexandria will accept the award in person during the Retail Rally event on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park beginning at 2:30 p.m. The event features a keynote speech by Amanda Brinkman, “Retail Lessons Learned While Revitalizing Main Streets Across America”. Brinkman is chief creator and host of the “Small Business Revolution - Main Street”—a critically acclaimed HULU series celebrating small businesses and revitalizing main streets across America, and chief brand and communications officer of Deluxe.

Alexandria is the sole recipient of the Minnesota’s Retail Champions Retail Community of the Year award. Nine other organizations will be recognized in other categories such as Retail Innovation, Advocate of the Year, Retail Employee of the Year, Social Responsibility and Retailer of the Year.

See the awards video including Alexandria here:

The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) is pleased to recognize ten organizations leading the way in attracting consumers with the announcement of the 2018 Minnesota’s Retail Champions.

Winners will accept their awards in person during the Retail Rally event on Tuesday, October 9, 2018, at the Doubletree Hotel in St. Louis Park (1500 Park Place Boulevard, St. Louis Park, MN 55416) beginning at 2:30 p.m. The event features a keynote speech by Amanda Brinkman, “Retail Lessons Learned While Revitalizing Main Streets Across America”. Brinkman is chief creator and host of the “Small Business Revolution - Main Street”—a critically acclaimed HULU series celebrating small businesses and revitalizing main streets across America, and chief brand and communications officer of Deluxe.

Watch the winner's video here:

“We are proud to recognize 10 innovative retailers, communities and partners that rose to the top following a robust process to identify Minnesota’s Retail Champions,” says 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’s 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 2018 Minnesota’s Retail Champion Award recipients:

Best Place to Work
Kwik Trip, locations throughout Minnesota

Customer Experience
Red Balloon Bookshop, St. Paul, MN

Advocate of the Year
Mike Drury, Drury’s Furniture, Fountain, MN

Lifetime Achievement
Gordy Engel, The Foursome, Plymouth, MN

Retail Community of the Year
Alexandria, MN

Retail Employee of the Year
Paula Christensen, Grand Jeté, St. Paul, MN

Retail Innovation
Askov Finlayson, Minneapolis, MN

Retailer of the Year
Target, locations throughout Minnesota

Social Responsibility
Arc’s Value Village Thrift Store & Donation Center, Bloomington, New Hope, Richfield, St. Paul, MN

Vendor Partner of the Year
Rustica Bakery, Minneapolis, MN

MnRA started the award process by putting out a statewide call for nominations in the 10 categories. A panel of peer judges reviewed nearly seven dozen nominations and selected the top nominee in each category. Tickets to the event are $39 online at www.retailrally.com.

To learn more about Deluxe's Small Business Revolution TV Show visit https://www.deluxe.com/sbrc/small-business-revolution.

The Minnesota Retailers Association (MnRA) proud to announce the winners of the 2017 Minnesota’s Retail Champion Awards.

Winners will accept their awards in person during the inaugural Retail Rally event on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017 at the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas (1000 Lasalle Ave,, Minneapolis) beginning at 5:15 p.m.

“We are proud to recognize 12 innovative retailers and partners that rose to the top following a robust process to identify Minnesota’s Retail Champions,” says 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’s great about retail across the state.”

The 2017 Minnesota’s Retail Champion Award recipients are:

Academic Partner of the Year
University of St. Thomas

Best Place to Work
Thrifty White Pharmacy

Customer Experience
Uffda Shop

Elected Official of the Year
Minneapolis City Councilmember Blong Yang

Advocate of the Year
Steven Rush, Holiday Companies

Outstanding Achievement
Maureen Bausch, Minnesota Super Bowl Host Committee

Retail Community of the Year
Hopkins Business & Civic Association

Retail Employee of the Year
Brooke Borg, 36 Lyn Refuel Station

Retail Innovation
Duluth Pack

Retailer of the Year
Norby’s

Social Responsibility
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Vendor Partner of the Year
Master Technology Group

The Minnesota Retailers Association started the award process by putting out a statewide call for nominations in the 12 categories.  A panel of peer judges reviewed nearly six dozen nominations and selected the top nominee in each category.

Tickets to the reception and awards are available online at RetailRally.com.