Retail Alliance has announced the Retailer of the Year award winners for 2020, sponsored by TowneBank. Since 2008, Retail Alliance has held the Retailer of the Year awards to recognize excellence in retail and retail partners throughout Hampton Roads.
This year Retail Alliance honored members who have demonstrated the very best in product quality, customer service, community involvement, and reputation. There were Southside and Peninsula winners across 28 categories, with a total of 58 awards.
“Unfortunately, we were unable to hold our usual ROTY gala event in May,” said Ray Mattes, President/CEO Retail Alliance. “COVID-19 has caused many of us to rethink our plans and shift strategies. We do feel that in this difficult and challenging time, that it is more important than ever to celebrate the fact that we are still here. Each and every one of our winners and nominees have accomplished the monumental feat of facing a global pandemic head-on and surviving.”
2020 RETAILER OF THE YEAR (ROTY) WINNERS
(SS denotes Southside; Pen denotes Peninsula)
| Automotive ROTY SS: Buggy Bathe Automotive Wash Pen: Dodd RV Bookstore/Comics ROTY SS: Prince Books Pen: Jersey’s Cards & Comics Brewery/Winery/Distillery ROTY Building and/or Garden Supplies ROTY Clothing & Accessories ROTY Coffee Shop/Café Co-Working Space ROTY Entertainment ROTY Finance ROTY Furniture ROTY Gift Shop/Artisan Market ROTY Home Improvement ROTY Hospitality & Travel ROTY Jeweler ROTY Media & Marketing ROTY |
Medical/Vision ROTY SS: East Beach Urgent Care Pen: Williamsburg Drug Company Non-Profit ROTY SS: The King’s Daughters (TIE) SS: Eggleston Services (TIE) Pen: Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust Personal Care/Beauty ROTY Pet/Animal Supplies ROTY Printing/Awards/Engraving/Signage ROTY Professional Service ROTY Realty ROTY Resale/Consignment/Antique ROTY Restaurant ROTY Specialty Artist ROTY Specialty Food & Beverage ROTY Specialty Retail ROTY Wellness/Fitness ROTY |
LOVEVA COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD WINNERS
“If there is anything to be thankful for during this pandemic is that it has put a major spotlight on the critical role small businesses play in our neighborhoods,” Mattes continued. “We have watched as our small businesses have shut down, pivoted, looked after staff, reopened with specific guidelines and, despite their struggles, some even gave back to their communities in a big way.”
LOVEVA, Retail Alliance’s regional Buy Local program, incorporates an app and website that rewards consumers for shopping at local businesses. This year LOVEVA changed its annual business award to pick not just the most popular business but the one with the biggest heart for their community.
“We have selected the top four businesses on the LOVEVA app that are engaged in the buy local cause and show up for the community in a variety of ways,” commented Lisa Renée Jennings, LOVEVA Program Manager. “We found so many giving companies that we decided to pick four. LOVEVA app users were asked to vote for their favorites from the following and the winners were announced along with the ROTY winners.”
Winners are:
Gold: Care-A-Lot Pet Supply (TIE)
Gold: The Virginia Beer Company (TIE)
Silver: Eco Maniac Company
Bronze: Countryside Gardens
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER
The Lifetime Achievement Award is part of the Retailer of the Year Awards but was announced in June. This award was presented to Hauser’s Jewelers in Newport News.
“Hauser’s Jewelers encapsulates all the elements that we look for in our Lifetime Achievement Award winners”, said Mattes. “Their endurance, reputation, product quality, and community involvement are all characteristics to be admired and rewarded in any business. We are thrilled to be presenting our Lifetime Achievement Award for 2020 to the fifth generation and current owners of Hauser’s, Amy and Brad Hart.”
# # #
Retail Alliance is a non-profit trade association serving the interests of local retailers in Hampton Roads since 1903. The organization promotes and supports the healthy growth of retail businesses and trade through education, advocacy and member benefits. www.retailalliance.com
