Mountain Brook Shop Owner is Silver Retailer of the Year
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Photos from award ceremony provided upon request
BIRMINGHAM, AL – The
Alabama Retail Association (ARA) in cooperation with the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) today recognized nine outstanding Alabama retailers as “Retailers of the Year.” The presentations were made at The Club in Birmingham during the UAB School of Business’ 2009 Retail Day Luncheon. This marked the 10th presentation of the Retailer of the Year Awards since 1999.
George Jones Jr. , owner and buyer for Snoozy’s Kids Inc., a Mountain Brook store that for 21 years has offered “the most clever playthings for children with uncompromising service,” received the Silver Award in the “Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million” category. Suzan Smith Doidge, executive director of the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce, nominated Jones for this prestigious award.
“George has been THE biggest cheerleader in our community, and his energy and enthusiasm is infectious!,” Doidge said in her nomination. Jones and Snoozy’s Kids are participating in the Mountain Brook chamber’s 18-month television marketing campaign to promote shopping in and attract more retailers to the state’s most affluent community.
Jones’ interest in fostering the future of retail made an impression on the Retailer of the Year judges. “Many high schoolers in our community remember not only growing up in the store, but also working their first job at Snoozy’s Kids,” Doidge said in her nomination of Jones. In his entry, Jones said he also periodically speaks to business classes at Mountain Brook High School about the retail process.
While grooming the next generation of retailers is important, Jones said one of the keys to his business’ success is hiring parents with children to fill the 12 part-time jobs in the store. “They relate to our customers needs more readily,” he said.
The whole Jones family has a retailing in their blood. Jones’ father, George Sr., sold sportswear to college bookstores throughout the South. Jones, along with his wife, Virginia, and his parents opened Snoozy’s College Bookstore in 1982, named for his father, who has been known as “Snoozy” since infancy. All four family members are still involved in the daily operation of their businesses.
“The success and longevity of (Jones’) stores is just a by-product of the enthusiasm that he brings to his work every day,” Doidge said. Jones also contributes to such community institutions as the Mountain Brook school system, the Junior League of Birmingham, the Arts Guild, the Ballet Guild, and the Service Guild. Snoozy’s Kids donates childcare items throughout the year to the downtown YWCA for its homeless outreach.
“George Jones Jr. is a retailer of the year EVERY year to his employees and the entire Birmingham area,” said ARA President Rick Brown. Snoozy’s Kids and Snoozy’s College Bookstore have been members of ARA since 1994.
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