Cry Baby Craig’s Recognized as Vendor Partner of the Year

St. Paul (October 3, 2024) – Minnesota Retailers is excited to announce Cry Baby Craig’s, as the recipient of its Vendor Partner of the Year award, part of the 2024-2025 Minnesota Retail Champions program.

“Cry Baby Craig’s truly embodies what it means to be an outstanding vendor and retail partner,” said Bruce Nustad, President of Minnesota Retailers. “Their commitment to delivering a top-tier product, combined with their proactive approach to working closely with retailers, has not only fueled their own growth but also elevated the businesses they collaborate with. They set the gold standard for what we seek in a vendor partner.”

Craig Kaiser, Founder and co-owner of Cry Baby Craig’s, expressed his gratitude: "Receiving this award is such an incredible honor. We feel fortunate to do what we love, and one of the best parts of it is building relationships with retailers. Creating a bond not only with them but also with their customers, who then become our customers, is really something special.”

Cry Baby Craig’s, renowned for its innovative and locally crafted hot sauces, has garnered a loyal following among both retailers and consumers. Their dedication to quality, creativity, and community has solidified their position as a standout in Minnesota’s dynamic food scene.

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

Kaiser and his co-owner Sam Bonin 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