Since 2014, NRF has been traveling across the country visiting brands, both big and small, to highlight the side of retail most people don’t see — the moments behind the products. Learn more at: https://nrf.com/retailacrossamerica/

2. Since 2014, we’ve been
traveling across the country
visiting brands, both big and
small, to highlight the side of
retail most people don’t see
— the moments behind the
products.

3. 45,000
250RETAILERS VISITED
STATES VISITED
MILES TRAVELED
16BY
THE
NUMBERS
68CITIES VISITED
As of May 2016

4. Toys “R” Us and Make-A-Wish team up every
year to celebrate World Wish Day and the
birthdays of “Wish Kids” across the country.
Secaucus, NJ
April 2016

5. “The best part about being a small business is
that we can make the customer’s experience
whatever they want it to be.” – Angela Ferris,
Owner, Lane Florist
Dallas, TX
February 2015

6. The Old Country Store in New Hampshire
traces its roots back to 1781, making it over 200
years old.
Moultonborough, NH
April 2016

7. Tom Begley is a lead laboratory technician at
L.L.Bean. One of the many unique careers at
the brand, his job involves breaking products
and freezing boots in ice for quality testing.
Freeport, ME
August 2015

8. Reno Fly Shop in Nevada not only provides
great products, but also great expertise. “This is
not just a look-and-see experience.” – Jim
Litchfield, Reno Fly Shop
Reno, NV
June 2015

9. According to owner Rick Caruso, 20 million
people visit The Grove annually to shop, dine
and enjoy the sights.
Los Angeles, CA
September 2014

10. Wakefield-Scearce Galleries in Kentucky
has more than 25 antique showrooms that
cover over 35,000 square feet.
Shelbyville, KY
April 2015

11. Every bike donated to Second Life Bikes in
New Jersey is repaired by a team of experts,
volunteers and local students for a chance at a
“second life.”
Asbury Park, NJ
April 2016

12. Leslie Rate and Ken Lay have degrees in
graphic design and architecture, respectively.
They now use their skills to build and design
Macy’s stores across the country.
Cincinnati, OH
August 2014

13. Trunk Club makes it easier for men and women
to shop for clothes by offering personalized
recommendations and one-on-one
experiences.
Chicago, IL
October 2014

14. Polly Weinstein grew up in her parents’ jewelry
store in Nevada. Today, she owns her own
jewelry brand appropriately named The
Jeweler’s Daughter.
Las Vegas, NV
June 2015

15. Portland, ME
August 2015
Sea Bags products are designed and sewn by
local craftspeople using recycled sailboat sails;
materials come from Maine first, New England
second and the United States third.

16. Michele’s Totally Awesome Gourmet Popcorn
in New Jersey has been enjoyed by celebrities
at the Emmy Awards and the Kid’s Choice
Awards.
Londonerry, NH
April 2016

17. Princeton, NJ
April 2016
Princeton Record Exchange has been named
one of the top record stores in the country by
Time, Rolling Stone, USA Today and the Wall
Street Journal.

18. With ten million designs and hundreds of
different merchandise, CafePress has over one
billion customized product options.
Louisville, KY
April 2015

19. Duluth, MN
November 2015
Duluth Pack in Minnesota has been in business
since 1882. It is the oldest maker of leather and
canvas bags in U.S.

20. Prior to founding Hero’s Welcome, Robert
Camp was the CEO of Pier One Imports. He
considers himself a “lifetime retailer” with more
than 50 years of experience.
North Hero, VT
August 2015

21. “Bikes are what we sell, but the business we’re
in is fun, recreation, weight loss and
comradery.” – Chris Zane, Owner, Zane’s
Cycles
Branford, CT
August 2015

22. Dallas, TX
February 2015
Inspired by her mother’s Mexican heritage, Mi
Golondrina owner Cristina Lynch brings
handcrafted products from female artisans in
Mexico to Texas stores and online.

23. The Farmhouse Store started as a small craft gallery
that grew into a gifts and home furnishing store.
“People have said this is their happy place.” – Krisin
Menapace, Owner, The Farmhouse Store
Princeton, NJ
April 2016

24. It’s been over 40 years since Gary Cammack
started Cammack Ranch Supply at just 19
years old.
Union Center, SD
April 2014

25. Being dancers themselves, Grand Jeté owner
Ruthena Fink and her staff are committed to
supporting the dancers who walk their door. That
often includes attending their dance classes and
performances.
St Paul, MN
November 2015

26. Rebecca Ruth founded Rebecca-Ruth Candy in
1919 and took two years to perfect her recipe
for blending bourbon and candy.
Frankfort, KY
April 2014

27. More than 150 animal lovers work at Dave’s Soda
and Pet City in Massachusetts. “My friends think I
work like Dr. Doolittle.” – Matthew Moretti, Aquarium
Manager, Dave’s Soda and Pet City
Agawam, MA
August 2015

28. Burlington, NJ
April 2016
The employees at Burlington Stores take pride in
working for a company that gives back. As part of
their Warm Coats Warm Hearts drive, the brand has
collected and donated over 1.6 million coats to
people in need.

29. Polaroid Fotobar empowers people to “liberate”
their digital photos by offering customized
printing in different shapes and on different
textures and products.
Las Vegas, NV
June 2015

30. Owner of Readers Fine Jewelers Eddie
Guerboian began his career as the cleaner at
the very shop he now owns and operates.
Santa Monica, CA
September 2014

31. Each summer, Harborside Harvest Market sells
one ton – 2,000 pounds – of fudge, every
month.
North Hero, VT
August 2015

32. Now one of the most well-known tourist stops in
the U.S., Wall Drug Store gained its initial
popularity by promising free ice water to
patrons as they were driving by the store.
Wall, SD
April 2014

33. Acton, MA
August 2015
“There is no comparison to owning your own
business in a town where you live, work and
enjoy the people.” – David Didriksen, Owner,
Willow Books

34. Hudson, OH
August 2014
Nicole Long, a once-aspiring attorney, is an
“inspiration manager” at Jo-Ann Fabric and
Craft Stores.

35. Rhodes For Him For Her, a men’s and women’s
clothing store, has an in-store hat designer who
makes over 100 custom hats for the Kentucky
Derby season each year.
Louisville, KY
April 2015

36. The staff at 36 Lyn Refuel Station has
reinvented the convenience store experience
by selling locally sourced products.
Minneapolis, MN
November 2015

37. Behind the scenes at the Target headquarters,
the crew learned about the brand’s corporate
social responsibility initiatives and commitment
to the community.
Minneapolis, MN
November 2015

38. Tin Whiskers Brewing Company was founded
by three engineers who have a passion for the
art and science of brewing beer.
St Paul, MN
November 2015

39. Thanks to an influx of retail companies like
Zappos, residents and tourists alike now enjoy
a thriving and growing downtown Las Vegas
community.
Las Vegas, NV
November 2015

40. Dublin, OH
August 2014
“The best part about retail for me has always been
the people I’m working with. It’s about watching them
get opportunities and grow.” - Rajeev Sabharwal,
Division Vice President, Wendy’s

41. From leather belts to clothing to stable supplies,
Pinkston’s Turf Goods has been a part of the
horse industry in Kentucky since 1937.
Lexington, KY
April 2015

42. Every summer, Gifford’s Ice Cream scoops
over one million ice cream cones at their five
locations.
Skowhegan, ME
August 2015

43. Melinda Gates and Bill Clinton are just a couple of
the famous faces who’ve been seen at Flora Grubb
Gardens — a San Francisco garden center that has
become an important gathering space in the
community.
San Francisco, CA
September 2014

44. Cincinnati, OH
August 2014
Kroger’s integration of technology in retail is a driving
force in customer service. The supermarket chain
uses heat-sensing technology to reduce the time
customers have to wait in line at checkout.

45. Austin, TX
February, 2015
Uncommon Objects has 25 antique buyers who
travel across the world to find unique and exciting
treasures for the shop’s eclectic inventory.

46. 95% of world’s bourbon is produced within an
hour of Capital Cellars— a wine and spirits café
market in Frankfort, KY.
Frankfurt, KY
April 2014

47. More than 34,000 Army and Air Force
Exchange Service retail employees serve the
armed forces at home and abroad.
Dallas, TX
February, 2015

48. “We’ve been in business 65 years and people
appreciate that we are a local business. The
community we’re in gives a lot to us and we give a lot
back.” – John Reny, Owner, Renys
Portland, ME
August 2015

49. One out of every five dollars spent in Las Vegas
is in the retail sector.
Las Vegas, NV
June 2015

50. The founders at Happy Life Coffee are brewing
up sustainable coffee to make the world a
happier place, one cup at a time.
New Haven, CT
August 2015

51. Woodman’s of Essex is a true definition of a family
business. More than 130 family members have
worked at the restaurant since its opening in 1914.
Essex, MA
August 2015

52. “Retail doesn’t just deliver a message of product —
it’s a message of play, it’s a message of being with
your children, it’s a message of family.” – Roberta
Bonoff, CEO, Creative Kidstuff
Minneapolis, MN
November 2015

53. “What I enjoy about retail is that you’re faced with a
new challenge every day — it keeps it exciting and
fresh.” – Fox Keim, Vice President, Kittery Trading
Post
Kittery, ME
August 2015

54. Influenced by the tech community's co-working
movement, Stitch Factory is a one-stop shop for
fashion design and business education.
Las Vegas, NV
June 2015

55. “The harder you work, the better your luck is —
one comes with the other.” – Karen Katz,
Neiman Marcus
Dallas, TX
February 2015

56. Ohio State University fans from all over the
state and the country come to the Barnes &
Noble on campus to explore its 50,000 square
feet of Ohio State Buckeye products.
Columbus, OH
August 2014

57. Boston, MA
August 2015
Johnny Cupcakes founder Johnny Earle started
his T-shirt company out of the trunk of his car at
just 19 years old.

58. Each year, on national “Blizzard Day”, this Dairy
Queen in Madison, South Dakota sells more
blizzards in one day than any other location in the
world and all proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle
Network.
Madison, SD
April 2014

59. Royal River Natural Foods owner Tina
Wilcoxson started as a minimum-wage
employee over 19 years ago and now owns the
business.
Freeport, ME
August 2015

60. Jeremy Melnick of Gordon’s Ace Hardware
never thought he’d take over the family
business. But after a career in finance, Melnick
came back to retail with ambition in mind.
Chicago, IL
October 2014

61. Mall of America’s Enhanced Service Portal
allows for a constant stream of digital
communication between the customer and the
brand.
Bloomington, MN
November 2015

62. From its humble beginnings as a furniture
making workshop to becoming the world’s
leading interior design company, Ethan Allen is
a pioneering force in the retail industry.
Danbury, CT
August 2015

63. “At our heart and soul, we’re a fly fishing
company and have been for almost 160 years
now, and still are.”- Perk Perkins, CEO, Orvis
Sunderland, VT
August 2015

64. Circle Furniture has been a fixture in the greater
Boston community for nearly 60 years across
seven locations.
Acton, MA
August 2014

65. The Disney Store works with the company’s
filmmakers to bring storytelling magic to life
through the products they create.
Pasadena, CA
September 2014

66. #retailacrossamerica