Retailer Excellence Awards 2025 Recap: Highlights & Honorees
Retailers, wholesalers, and industry leaders gathered at the grand Union Station Hall in Dallas on June 18 to celebrate the 74th annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs)—an event hosted by Gifts & Decorative Accessories (GDA). This unforgettable evening brought the best in the gift and home industry together to connect, recognize excellence, and toast to creativity and purpose. From social media strategy to sustainability, eight remarkable retailers were recognized across distinct categories, each showcasing outstanding contributions to their communities and customers.
Multiple Locations: Jabo’s Ace Hardware & The Cove Gifts (Texas)
Founded in 2005 by Bill and Renae Jablonowski, Jabo’s Ace Hardware has evolved far beyond its hardware roots. With five locations across Texas, it’s known for blending practicality with personality. Their in-store gift boutique, The Cove Gifts, adds charm and inspiration for shoppers looking for more than tools. Now led by Renae and her son Zach, the company has raised over $1 million for local hospitals—testament to its heart for community.
Finalists: Retail Therapy Gift Shop & Scheels
(Photo by Ariel Perez)
Specialty Store: The Scented Market (Guelph, Ontario)
At The Scented Market, fragrance becomes an experience. This Canadian gem crafts its own line of candles, oils, and diffusers, while also offering scent consultations and eco-conscious workshops. With a 40% increase in repeat business last year, it's clear that their commitment to sustainability, cruelty-free goods, and engaging customer experiences resonates deeply with today’s shopper.
Finalists: The Coastal Cupboard & Vintage Point Fargo
Social Media & Online Initiatives: Apple Blvd (Frisco, Texas)
Apple Blvd is redefining digital retail. Owned by the energetic Katie Apple, this woman-led business has become a social commerce powerhouse thanks to its lively livestream shopping events. With multiple daily streams and an authentic online community, Apple Blvd connects with customers on a personal level—making it a go-to for both fashion and friendship.
Finalists: Hillyer House & Lucy Lu's Boutique
(Photo by Ariel Perez)
Store Design/Redesign: Emily McCarthy (Savannah, Georgia)
Emily McCarthy’s namesake store is a visual love letter to the modern Southern lifestyle. A recent expansion into a 14,000-square-foot location allowed this design-forward brand to express its identity through curated vignettes, custom wallpaper, and layered textures. From monograms to entertaining pieces, every inch of the store feels intentional and welcoming.
Finalists: The Coastal Cottage & The Blvd Boutik
Visual Merchandising: The Rustic Market (Georgia)
With locations in Acworth, Marietta, and Woodstock, The Rustic Market sets the gold standard for imaginative displays. Their visual merchandising team crafts enchanting vignettes that spark inspiration—from floor to ceiling. Whimsy meets retail strategy in seasonal setups that unify their brand’s identity across all locations.
Finalists: Berry's Blooms & The Giving Tree Gift Shop
(Photo by Ariel Perez)
Store Events: Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts (Petoskey, Michigan)
Grandpa Shorter’s proves that great retail is also about great memories. This beloved store hosts year-round events that connect the community—from seasonal visits with Santa to the quirky “Quack Walk” scavenger hunt featuring rubber ducks. Their local collaborations and playful promotions make them a cherished staple in northern Michigan.
Finalists: Browns Kitchen & Tiger Lily
Socially Responsible: Bee Joyful Shop (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
Bee Joyful is a purpose-driven shop with a powerful origin story. Founded by single mother of five Jessica Thompson, it's Michigan’s first zero-waste and refillery store. Offering over 180 handcrafted, locally sourced products, Bee Joyful is a hub for education, conscious consumerism, and community advocacy. More than a business—it’s a movement.
Finalists: Elizabeth Lamont & Plenty Mercantile
Home Décor Store (via Home Accents Today): Mustard Seed Market & Home (Blowing Rock, NC)
What began as a garden center in 1992 has grown into a home décor haven. Robb and Danielle Stewart—alongside daughter-in-law Madeline—opened Mustard Seed Home in 2022, blending their roots in nature with curated furnishings, floral designs, and home accents. Their thoughtful expansion reflects a continued passion for beauty and family entrepreneurship.
Finalists: The Collective & Mix It Up Home
(Photo by Ariel Perez)
Additional Recognitions: Sales Reps & Manufacturers
While the spotlight was on standout retailers, GDA also honored the 2025 Sales Representatives of the Year across five U.S. regions, recognizing those who nurture vital brand-retailer relationships with dedication and care. The 2025 Manufacturer of the Year was also announced, celebrating excellence in innovation, responsiveness, and service. Together, these honors highlight the broader network of support that powers the success of independent retail.
Gift for Life Honored Ivystone CEO Doug Cofiell with 2025 Industry Achievement Award
Gift for Life honored Ivystone CEO Doug Cofiell with its prestigious 2025 Industry Achievement Award, recognizing his exceptional leadership, ongoing commitment to the gift and home industry, and efforts to combat hunger through philanthropy.
In his remarks, Cofiell reflected on the collective strength of the industry:
“It’s weird to get an individual award when it’s not about the individual—it’s about the people around you. Resilience is the word you think of when you think of the independent gift industry.”
Gift for Life Chair Emalee Hoffman noted, “He embodies the kind of leadership this award was created to honor,” adding a personal testament to his influence and character. The Industry Achievement Award, presented annually at the Retailer Excellence Awards since 2009, honors thought leaders and changemakers who shape and elevate the gift and home industry. Cofiell joins a distinguished list of past recipients whose impact continues to resonate across the marketplace.
From local heroes to visionary entrepreneurs, the 2025 Retailer Excellence Awards captured the heart and soul of a resilient, passionate industry. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners who continue to redefine what it means to serve, surprise, and inspire.
(Photo by Ariel Perez)
