ARA

Deli Owners are Bronze Retailers 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.

edwardsdeancraig MomaGoldbergsJustin Edwards, Scott Dean and Hal Craig, owners and managers of Momma Goldberg's Deli in Homewood and Inverness received the Bronze Award in the “Annual Sales Less Than $1 Million” category. Tricia Ford, executive director, Homewood Chamber of Commerce nominated the three owners for this prestigious award.           

The Retailer of the Year judges cited the Homewood and Inverness locations of Momma Goldberg’s, a deli franchise that began in Auburn, for being “a newer business doing well in a competitive industry in difficult times.” The Homewood restaurant opened in December of 2007. The Inverness location opened in July.

Year-over-year sales for the Homewood location increased from the store’s initial year, despite this year’s recession, according to the entry form submitted by the three owners. They also were able to cut labor costs by two percent by developing a program that evaluates sales over time intervals allowing them to adjust schedules appropriately.

“They have become solid citizens taking their community very seriously,” Ford said in her nomination. The owners said, “We make it a point to help out and offer discounts to the people of our communities.” The business that began in a college town also takes on college interns so they can learn “how the business runs.”

Coupon specials offered to Shelby County schools, and the restaurants’ presence on Facebook and Twitter have been big boosts to the business, the owners said.

“There is always a line and consistently good food,” Ford said in her nomination.

The Homewood restaurant employs 20, and the Inverness location employs more than 25.

 “Justin Edwards, Scott Dean and Hal Craig are retailers of the year EVERY year to their employees and the Birmingham metro area,” said ARA President Rick Brown.

>> Previous Retailers of the Year 

MEDIA CONTACT: Hal Craig, Momma Goldberg’s Deli, Homewood and Inverness | 205.568.2087

Media Contact: Nancy Dennis | 334.263.5757 EXT.101