Each year, the NH Retail Association presents our Retailer, Legislator, and Law Enforcement Partner of the Year Awards at our Annual Meeting and Legislative Event.
Retailer of the Year Award
The Retailer of the Year Award is presented to a member of the NH Retail Association and is a prestigious recognition of a NH retailer who has met the highest standards of excellence. Those standards of excellence are:
- Continued growth in the number of employees or sales
- Providing Excellent Customer Service
- Commitment of company resources, including employees, to community projects
- Creation of a positive work environment for employees
Legislator of the Year
The Legislator of the Year Award is awarded to a state Senator or Representative who, through their voting record, has advocated policies and laws that maintain and advance New Hampshire’s strong retail climate. They should have a record of opposing legislation limiting or restricting a retailer’s way of doing business or putting an unfair financial burden on retailers.
Law Enforcement Partner of the Year
The NH Retail Association’s Law Enforcement Partner of the Year Award honors an exceptional law enforcement professional—or an entire department—who has demonstrated outstanding support for the retail community. This award recognizes efforts to foster collaboration, enhance communication, and build strong partnerships between retailers and law enforcement.
Previous Award Recipients:
2024
- 2024 Retailer of the Year – Gibson’s Bookstore – Concord, NH – Michael Herrmann, owner
(WATCH our commemorative YouTube Video) - 2024 Legislator of the Year – Senator Denise Ricciardi for NH Senate 9
2023
- 2023 Retailer of the Year – Lahout’s Ski Shop – Lincoln & Littleton, NH – Ron Lahout, owner
- 2023 Legislator of the Year – Senator Regina Birdsell (R)
- 2023 Law Enforcement Partner of the Year – Sgt. Carl Root – Rochester Police Department
2022
- 2022 Retailer of the Year – Kilwins Chocolates, Fudge and Ice Cream Shoppe, Portsmouth, NH. Janette Desmond owner
- 2022 Legislator of the Year – Representative Howard Pearl (R),Merrimack County.
- 2022 Law Enforcement Partner of the Year – Anne M Edwards, Associate Attorney General
2021
- 2021 Retailer of the Year – The Toadstool Bookshops – Peterborough, Keene and Nashua. Holly and Willard Williams owners.
- 2021 Legislator of the Year – Representative Timothy Land (R), Belknap County.
- 2021 Law Enforcement Partner of the Year – Officer Andrew Wood, Newington Police Department
2020
- 2020 Retailer of the Year – Osborne’s Agway Farm & Garden Centers. Concord, Hooksett, and Belmont, NH. Tom, Paul and Andy Osborne owners
- 2020 Legislator of the Year – Senator Jeb Bradley (R) Wolfeboro, NH
- 2020 Law Enforcement Partner of the Year – Deputy Chief Joel Dolan, Salem, NH Police Department
2019
- 2019 Retailer of the Year – Granite State Candy Shoppe, Concord and Manchester, NH. Jeffery Bart owner.
- 2019 Legislator of the Year – Senate President Chuck Morse (R) Salem, NH.
2018
- 2018 Retailer of the Year – Emma & Co Consignment Boutique, Littleton, NH. Carrie Gendreau owner.
- 2018 Legislator of the Year – Representative Laurie J. Sanborn (R) Bedford, NH.
- 2018 Law Enforcement Partner of the Year – Officer Danielle Nightingale, Bedford, NH Police Department.
- 2018 Loss Prevention Person of the Year – Rick Daniels, Irving Oil.
NH Retail Awards and Recognitions
The Retailer of the Year award has been presented to businesses including Goedecke Paint, Flooring and Design, Red’s Shoe Barn, Bellman’s Jewelers, Benson Lumber and Hardware, Top Furniture, The Prescription Center, Green Mountain Furniture, Laconia Electric Supply, Persian Rug Gallery, Baron’s Major Brands, Gondwana and Divine Clothing Company, Zeb’s General Store, Ben Franklin/Ace Hardware, Daddy’s Junky Music, Seasonal Specialty Stores, Miltner Shoes, Your Kitchen, Flash Photo, Flash Pack & Ship, and Alec’s Shoes.
The Law Enforcement Partner of the Year has recognized outstanding contributions from Lt. George Walker, the Berlin Police Department, Master Patrolman William Adamson, Officer Tracey Hayes and the Rochester Police Department, Lt. Scott Qualls, the Tilton Police Department including Chief Robert Cormier, Detective Nate Buffington, and Detective Matt Dawson, Deputy Chief of Police Shawn Patten, Officer Mark Ampuja, and Detective Sean Ford.
The Legislator of the Year award has honored Representative William Pearson, Senator Gary Daniels, Senator Sharon Carson, Former Representative Nick Levasseur, Representative Donna Schlachman, Senate President Peter Bragdon, Representative David Welch, Senator Maggie Hassan, Representative Laura Pantelakos, Representative Stephen Stepanek, Representative William Infantine, Representative Sheila Francoeur, Representative John B. Hunt, Senator Charles Morse, Keith Herman, Representative Kathy Flora, and House Speaker Representative Gene Chandler.
Additional recognitions include Plymouth Furniture for its founding role in the NH Retail Association and Dorr Woolen Store, which received the Energy Efficiency Award.