Area businesses recieve retail awards

In September, the Alabama Retail Association and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Business announced this year’s retailers of the year and centennial retailers. Awards were given to 18 Alabama retailers.

David and Andrea Snyder, co-owners of Homewood’s Urban Cookhouse, were selected as GEE Emerging Retailer of the Year. Urban Cookhouse has been supporting local farmers by providing customer’s with locally grown food since 2010.

Jake Reiss, owner of The Alabama Booksmith, received the silver award for Annual Sales Less than One Million Dollars. The independent bookstore has been open on 19th Street since 1999. The Alabama Booksmith was nominated by Tricia Ford, executive director of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce.