St. Paul (October 1, 2025) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to announce that SCHEELS has been named the 2025-2026 Retailer of the Year. This award recognizes the retailer’s commitment to creating unparalleled customer experience, fostering a culture of community involvement, and its success as a leader in the retail industry.

“SCHEELS is more than just a retail store. It is a true destination and a pillar in the communities it serves,” said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. “Their unique model of employee ownership, combined with an unwavering dedication to customer service and a philanthropic spirit, sets them apart. From their immersive in-store attractions to their deep-rooted community partnerships, SCHEELS exemplifies what it means to be a top-tier retailer today. We are thrilled to honor their exceptional achievements.”

"Minnesota has always been part of the SCHEELS story, and we're incredibly grateful for the community support we've received here for more than 120 years," said Eden Prairie Store Leader Jason Heintz. "As employee-owners we take pride in our store and the experience that we provide our customers, so it is an honor to be recognized by our community as the Retailer of the Year. We truly couldn't do what we do without our incredible customers, community partners, vendors, and associates!"

SCHEELS’ success is rooted in its customer-first philosophy. The company empowers its employee-owners to become product experts through extensive training and a passion for the hobbies they sell. This approach ensures that every customer receives knowledgeable, personalized service. Additionally, SCHEELS stores offer a unique blend of retail and entertainment, featuring attractions like Ferris wheels, aquariums, and interactive games, which transform a shopping trip into a memorable experience.

Beyond its stores, SCHEELS is deeply committed to community connection. The company donates a portion of its profits annually to local organizations and encourages its associates to volunteer thousands of hours for community service projects. This commitment to giving back, coupled with their innovative business model and a focus on creating an exceptional shopping experience, has solidified SCHEELS’ position as a leader in the retail industry.

SCHEELS team members will accept the award at Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, starting at 2:00 p.m. The event—held at Brookview in Golden Valley—will feature an insightful keynote presentation from Business Growth Advisor Tamara Prato, titled “Driving Retail Growth: People, Planning, and Your Best Customers.” For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to see all the 2025-2026 Minnesota's Retail Champions!

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 1, 2025) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to announce the community of Waconia as the recipient of the Retail Community of the Year award, part of the 2025-2026 Minnesota's Retail Champions program. This award celebrates Waconia’s extraordinary collaboration and innovative spirit in creating a vibrant, thriving retail landscape that serves as a model for communities across Minnesota.

"Waconia has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to its local businesses, residents, and visitors," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "Through strategic partnerships between the Chamber of Commerce, the City, community organizations and entrepreneurs, Waconia has cultivated a flourishing retail environment that attracts visitors and provides a strong sense of community. Their success is a shining example of how a collaborative vision can lead to a dynamic and prosperous retail ecosystem."

Waconia's efforts have focused on a blend of revitalizing its business district, supporting small business growth, and hosting multiple community events each year that drive foot traffic and create a memorable experience for shoppers. By actively working to enhance its retail offerings and foster a supportive environment, Waconia has become a destination for both unique shopping experiences and community engagement.

"We are incredibly honored to be named Retail Community of the Year," said Christine Fenner, President of the Waconia Chamber of Commerce. "This award is a testament to the hard work and shared vision of our business owners, community leaders, and residents. We are dedicated to ensuring Waconia remains a welcoming and prosperous place to live, work, and shop, and we are proud of what we have accomplished together."

Fenner and the Waconia Chamber of Commerce, along with community members, will accept the award at Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, starting at 2:00 p.m. The event—held at Brookview in Golden Valley—will feature an insightful keynote presentation from Business Growth Advisor Tamara Prato, titled “Driving Retail Growth: People, Planning, and Your Best Customers.” For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuring this award winner!

Click here to see all the 2025-2026 Minnesota's Retail Champions!

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 1, 2025) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to recognize Wet Paint co-owners Scott Fares and Darin Rinne with the Advocate of the Year award, part of the 2025-2026 Minnesota's Retail Champions program. This award celebrates their tireless efforts to protect and promote the retail community through their successful advocacy this year around preserving access to professional artist materials.

"Darin and Scott's advocacy is a powerful example of how retailers can shape public policy for the betterment of consumers and the industry," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "They recognized an issue that threatened their business and the livelihoods of artists across the state. By engaging with lawmakers and educating them on the critical role of these artist materials, they championed a solution that protects both commerce and artistic expression. Their commitment and passion for this cause make them truly deserving of the Advocate of the Year award."

Based in Saint Paul, Wet Paint has served the local arts community for decades as a leading independent art supply store. When a state law banned professional artist materials containing cadmium and lead making Minnesota the only government in the world with such a ban, Scott and Darin took a proactive approach. They worked directly with state representatives and testified before legislative committees to highlight the unintended consequences of the ban on consumers, artists and retailers. Their efforts were instrumental in the successful amendment of the law, which now exempts professional art supplies, ensuring Minnesota artists can continue to access the high-quality materials essential to their craft.

"We are incredibly humbled and honored to be named Advocate of the Year," said Darin Rinne. "Our work on this issue was born from a deep concern for our customers and the broader artistic community. We simply wanted to ensure that the artists who have dedicated their lives to their craft were not held back by a law that didn't account for their needs. This award is a testament to what can be accomplished when a business owner steps up to advocate for what they believe in."

"This was a true team effort," added Scott Fares. "We are grateful to the legislators and our community partners who stood with us. We believe that a thriving retail environment is one that supports the unique needs of its customers, and we’re proud to have played a part in securing that for Minnesota’s artists."

Fares and Rinne will accept the award at Retail Rally on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, starting at 2:00 p.m. The event—held at Brookview in Golden Valley—will feature an insightful keynote presentation from Business Growth Advisor Tamara Prato, titled “Driving Retail Growth: People, Planning, and Your Best Customers.” For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuring this award winner!

Click here to see all the 2025-2026 Minnesota's Retail Champions!

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