Meet the 2016 Alabama Retailers of the Year

15 Alabama retail businesses with operations in 39 Alabama cities and 24 other states were honored on Tuesday as 2016 Alabama Retailers of the Year.

The Alabama Retail Association, in cooperation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham Collat School of Business recognized the retailers from across the state at a luncheon in Birmginham for the 17th presentation of the awards.

Together they employ 1,633 at 56 locations across the Yellowhammer State.

Here’s a look at this year’s winners:

ANNUAL SALES LESS THAN $1 MILLION

• GOLD AWARD: Linda Flaherty, owner of and designer for Once upon a time stores in Mountain Brook and Homewood
• SILVER AWARD: Marguerite Ray, owner of Marguerite’s Conceits in Mountain Brook
• BRONZE AWARD: Lisa Jackman, owner of What’s Popp’N Gourmet Popcornin Huntsville.

ANNUAL SALES $1 MILLION TO $5 MILLION

• GOLD AWARD: Jheovanny Gomez, co-owner of Jalapeños Mexican Restaurants in Tuscaloosa, Northport and Cottondale
• SILVER AWARD: Garlan Gudger Jr., owner of Southern Accents in Cullman
• BRONZE AWARD :The Gray family, owners of Peach Park in Clanton.

ANNUAL SALES $5 MILLION TO $20 MILLION

• GOLD AWARD: Bryan Owens, chief executive officer, and Mike Elkins, president of Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro
• SILVER AWARD: George W. Skipper III, owner of Tacky Jacks in Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Fort Morgan.
• BRONZE AWARD: Mark and Susan Anderson, chief executive and chief financial officer for Eagle Eye Outfitters in Dothan.

ANNUAL SALES MORE THAN $20 MILLION

• GOLD AWARD: John M. Wilson, co-owner of Super Foods Supermarkets in Evergreen, Greenville and Luverne.

GEE EMERGING RETAILERS OF THE YEAR

• Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million: Avery Ainsworth, owner of Fleet Feet Sports Montgomery.
• Annual Sales More Than $1 Million: Andy Harp, founder of Frios Gourmet Pops with 30 stores by 2017, 16 in Alabama, presence in 24 states.

CUSTOMERS’ CHOICE AWARD

• Megan Smalley, Scarlet & Gold in Auburn.

A panel of judges chose the Alabama Retailer of the Year winners in four categories based on annual sales volume. Bronze, silver and gold awards were presented in three categories.

The judges also selected two Emerging Retailers of the Year, innovative and effective Alabama retailers who have been in business for at least two years, but less than five years. All of the winners have been in business for at least five year and an average of 23 years.

More than 5,500 cast their ballots on Facebook for the Customers’ Choice Award.