St. Paul (October 3, 2024) -- Join Minnesota Retailers as we recognize ten leading retailers and industry partners with the announcement of the 2024-2025 Minnesota’s Retail Champions awards.
Winners will accept their awards during Retail Rally on Thursday, October 10, 2024, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in Golden Valley.

“We are proud to recognize ten innovative retailers, communities and partners that are leading the way in connecting with consumers and today’s trends following a vigorous process to identify Minnesota’s Retail Champions,” said Bruce Nustad, Minnesota Retailers president. “The retail industry has a deep impact on Minnesota communities, and these award recipients are truly representative of what is 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 2024-2025 Minnesota’s Retail Champion award recipients:

Vendor Partner of the Year
Cry Baby Craig’s, Faribault, MN
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Customer Experience
Latuff Brothers Auto Body, St. Paul, MN
Nominated by the Midway Chamber of Commerce
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Social Responsibility
Peace Coffee, Minneapolis, MN
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Retail Innovation
Hmong Village, St. Paul, MN
Nominated by Energy Smart, a program of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Retail Community of the Year
Downtown Elk River Business Association, Elk River, MN
Nominated by the Elk River Area Chamber of Commerce
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Best Place To Work
Tradehome Shoes, Cottage Grove, MN
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Retail Mentor of the Year
Andrea Hanson, Phileo Style, Red Wing, MN
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Advocate of the Year
Hillary Feder, Hillary's, Hopkins, MN
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Retailer of the Year
Bloedow Bakery, Winona, MN
Nominated by the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Lifetime Achievement
Mary Fuhrman, Hy-Vee
> Click here to read more about this award, including quotes and a video

Minnesota Retailers started the awards process by putting out a statewide call for nominations early in the year. A panel of peer judges reviewed nearly ten dozen nominations and selected the top nominee in each category. 

Watch a Youtube playlist of award winners here!

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

Retail Rally is changing the way retailers and their key business partners engage with today’s consumer. This year's Retail Rally features a panel of "game changers" who are transforming the retail landscape in Minnesota and beyond. Get ready for incredible insights, inspiring stories, and a peek into the future of retail. Tickets to Retail Rally are $25 online and free for media at www.retailrally.com.

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 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to recognize Mary Fuhrman, recently retired from Hy-Vee, with the Lifetime Achievement award as part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Mary Fuhrman’s contributions to Minnesota’s retail industry are truly extraordinary," said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. "For 35 years, she has led with integrity, dedication, and a relentless focus on customer service. Mary’s commitment to supporting her team and her leadership at Hy-Vee have left a lasting mark on the industry. We are privileged to celebrate her remarkable career and legacy with this award."

Reflecting on her career, Fuhrman shared, "It has been a true honor to work with a team that impacts so many lives daily. My time at Hy-Vee was about more than just work—it was about building relationships with our customers and the incredible people I had the pleasure of leading. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the community, and receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award is both humbling and rewarding."

Fuhrman’s decades-long career at Hy-Vee helped shape the company’s presence across Minnesota. Renowned for her leadership, strategic vision, and passion for retail, Mary has been a mentor to countless retail professionals. Her commitment to community engagement and customer satisfaction has been a cornerstone of her work, leaving a lasting legacy in the industry.

Fuhrman is the sole recipient of the Minnesota Retail Champions Lifetime Achievement award. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be honored in categories such as Retail Mentor of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Retail Innovation, Customer Experience, Advocate of the Year, Retail Community of the Year, Social Responsibility, Retailer of the Year, and Best Place to Work.

Fuhrman will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuing this award winner!

Click here to see award winner photos.

Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

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 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is proud to recognize Bloedow Bakery in Winona with the Retailer of the Year award as part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

"Bloedow Bakery exemplifies what it means to be a successful retailer in Minnesota," said Bruce Nustad, President of the Minnesota Retailers Association. "Their unwavering dedication to their customers, their tradition of delivering high-quality baked goods for generations, and their strong ties to the Winona community truly set them apart. Bloedow’s is a beloved institution, and we are honored to celebrate their incredible legacy with this award."

"We are incredibly honored to receive the Retailer of the Year award," said Hugh Polus, co-owner of Bloedow Bakery. "Our customers are like family, and everything we do is for them. From the moment we open our doors each morning, we strive to provide the best possible experience, whether it’s their first bite of a fresh donut or a friendly interaction with our staff. We’re proud to be part of this community and look forward to continuing our tradition of quality and service for many more years to come."

“We are incredibly proud of Bloedow Bakery for being named Minnesota Retailer of the Year,” said Winona Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Christie Ranson. “Their commitment to quality, tradition, and community has made them a beloved institution in Winona and a shining example of retail excellence. This recognition reflects the hard work put into 100 years of local ownership and service, and their dedication to making Winona a sweeter place to live.”

Founded in 1924, Bloedow Bakery has been a cornerstone of the Winona community for over a century, delighting generations with its renowned donuts, breads, and pastries. Co-owner Hugh Polus, who leads the family-owned business with his team, attributes the bakery's success to its close connection with the community and a relentless commitment to quality.

Bloedow Bakery was nominated by the Winona Area Chamber of Commerce and is the sole recipient of the Retailer of the Year award in the Minnesota Retail Champions program. Nine other organizations and individuals will also be honored in categories such as Retail Mentor of the Year, Vendor Partner of the Year, Retail Innovation, Customer Experience, Advocate of the Year, Retail Community of the Year, Social Responsibility, Lifetime Achievement, and Best Place to Work.

The Bloedow team will receive the award at the Retail Rally event on Thursday, October 10, 2024, starting at 2:00 p.m. at Brookview in Golden Valley. The event will include an engaging panel discussion titled “Game Changers: Transforming the Retail Landscape in Minnesota,” featuring speakers like Minny & Paul founder Laura Roos, Nosh Posh founder Tatiana Freeman, and Victual owner and president Paul Kirkman, and Ali Kaplan with Twin Cities Business. For more event details, visit www.retailrally.com.

Click here to watch a video featuing this award winner!

Click here to see award winner photos.

Click here to see all the 2024-2025 Minnesota's Retail Champions.

Click here to see all the photos from Retail Rally.

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