Athens business owner among Alabama Retailers of the Year

The Alabama Retail Association this year will honor 12 retail businesses with operations in 13 Alabama cities as Retailers of the Year. Athens business owner Melissa Sides Anderson, owner of Toodlebugs, is among those honored by this prestigious title.

Throughout the month of September, the Alabama Retail Association is traveling the state to present the awards in person to this year’s recipients, and Anderson will be honored Sept. 14.

Alabama Retailers of the Year

A panel of judges – representing retail developers and investors, chambers of commerce and former Retailers of the Year – selected 11 of this year’s Retailers of the Year from 57 entries submitted from a pool of 86 nominees.

Each winner has demonstrated a blend of sound business practices along with commitment to their communities, customers and employees. From the 57 entrants, the public chose the Customers’ Choice Award through a contest online and on the Alabama Retail Association’s Facebook page.

The 12 winners this year:

• Aisha Taylor, owner and chief executive officer of Bridge + Root in Birmingham
• Bryson Kessler, owner of Clover + Bee in Vestavia Hills
• David and Jennifer Smith, president and vice president of David Christopher’s Inc. in Sheffield
• Elizabeth Adams, owner/designer of ExVoto in Mountain Brook and Montgomery
• Gregg Wood, owner and president, and his son, Ben Wood, sales manager, of JBT Power in Daphne and Semmes
• Sarah Jane Levine, owner of Lily Jane Boutique in Auburn
• Mark McKinnon, owner and chief executive officer of McKinnon Toyota and Nissan in Clanton
• Ann C. Welch, owner/operator of Nunnally’s Noble Frame & Gallery in Anniston
• Sid, Shea, Brian and Gina Schroll, owners of THe Name Dropper in Montgomery
• Tuc and Reese Wilson, owners of Saw’s Inc., and Jennifer Wilson, president, chief executive officer and manager of Saw’s Inc. in Homewood and managing member of Saw’s Juke Joint in Crestline. Besides Saw’s Juke Joint, the Wilson family also holds the majority ownership of Saw’s Soul Kitchen in Birmingham – Sept. 21
• Melissa Sides Anderson, owner and president of Toodlebugs in Athens
• Christie Howell, owner of Wrapsody in Hoover, Auburn and Trussville

“It is an honor to be able to recognize such an outstanding group of retailers. Each retailer honored is a credit to their community and the retail industry.”

Rick Brown, president of the Alabama Retail Association

About Toodlebugs

Toodlebugs, located at 107 Market St E, Athens, AL 35611, is a children’s clothing store that has been open for 13 years and was able to make it through the pandemic — which has not been an easy feat for retailers.

You can browse through clothing, jewelry, accessories and more for babies, toddlers and kids at this unique clothing boutique and receive exceptional customer service, hence the accolades showered upon Anderson and her store.

Visit Toodlbugs on Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to stop in to the store in Athens.

Want to stay in the know about what’s new and happening in and around Huntsville? Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.