About Your Nomination
When you nominate a local retailer, your nominee will be contacted by Retail Merchants and vetted for the award by a dedicated committee of long-standing local business owners. The winner of the award will be announced and honored at our December Celebration.
| 1966 | William B. Thalhimer, Jr., Thalhimers |
| 1967 | Webster S. Rhoads, Miller & Rhoads |
| 1968 | Daniel Schiller, Thalhimers |
| 1969 | Raymond M. Munsch, Miller & Rhoads |
| 1970 | Kenneth Lord, Kenneth Lord Furniture Shop |
| 1971 | Emmett R. Kelley, Kelley’s Inc. Hardware Store |
| 1972 | James T. Matthews, Sears, Roebuck & Co. |
| 1973 | Newman Hamblet, Thalhimers |
| 1974 | Carl E. Bain, Westhampton Pharmacy |
| 1975 | Mel Burns, Mel Burns Clothes |
| 1976 | Robert C. Kennedy, Old Dominion Camera Shop |
| 1977 | Walter M. Fisher, Thalhimers |
| 1978 | Morton Marks, Jr., Morton Marks & Sons |
| 1979 | Jack L. Weiner, Saxon Shoes |
| 1980 | James & Robert Ukrop, Ukrop’s Super Markets |
| 1981 | Richard E. Strauss, Dick Strauss Ford-Isuzu |
| 1982 | David G. Taylor, Bon Air Hardware |
| 1983 | Jack M. Kreuter, Jack Kreuter Jewelers |
| 1984 | Malcolm Kalman, Siegel’s Super Markets |
| 1985 | Frances & Sydney Lewis, Best Products |
| 1986 | James T. Hatcher, Sr., Jr.& III, Pleasants Hardware |
| 1987 | William D. Selden, IV, C. P. Dean |
| 1988 | Max H. Pearson, Richmond Honda |
| 1989 | Frank B. Bradley, III, Fas Mart Stores |
| 1990 | William B. Thalhimer, Jr., Thalhimers |
| 1991 | Stuart C. Siegel, S&K Famous Brands |
| 1992 | Joseph M. Kelleher, Jr., Kelleher Corp. |
| 1993 | Leonard L. Edloe, Leonard L. Edloe Corp. |
| 1994 | Millie Jones, Festival Flags |
| 1995 | John A. Williams, Pleasants Hardware |
| 1996 | Gary Weiner, Saxon Shoes |
| 1997 | Franco Ambrogi, Franco’s Fine Clothier |
| 1998 | Jo Anne Draucker, Premiere, Inc./Ellman’s Dancewear |
| 1999 | Sarah Paxton and Andy Thornton, LaDifference |
| 2000 | Tom Sands, Target |
| 2001 | Richard L. Sharp, Circuit City |
| 2002 | Paul & Marie Antoinette Elbling, La Petite France |
| 2003 | Neil Gulati, Mattress King |
| 2004 | Jacques Moore, Moore Family of Dealerships |
| 2005 | Gary Glover, Puritan Cleaners |
| 2006 | Pat Patrick, Patrick Auto Group |
| 2007 | Frederick W. Siewers, Jr. and John C, Siewers, II, Siewers Lumber and Millwork |
| 2008 | Lisa McSherry, Lex’s of Carytown |
| 2009 | Mark Smith, Midas of Richmond |
| 2010 | William Selden, C.P. Dean |
| 2011 | Donelson Caffery, Good Foods Grocery |
| 2012 | Pat & Bobbi Heaney, Mango Salon |
| 2013 | David & Richard Hendrick, Custom Kitchens, Inc |
| 2014 | Barry Moore, Haley Buick GMC |
| 2015 | Ronnie Adolf, Adolf Jewelers |
| 2016 | Jenni Kirby, Crossroads Art Center |
| 2017 | Chris Holder, Capital Ale House |
Starting in 1966, RMA has been honoring an exceptional and distinguished retailer. Retail legends like William Thalhimer and Webster Rhoads were among the first to be recognized for their distinguished leadership in the community by this award. Today, the current Distinguished Retailer of the Year is Chris Holder, Capital Ale House. Chris’ proven leadership and dedication to giving back to our community truly set him apart.
As we look forward to honoring another Richmond legend this year, we look back and celebrate the tremendous leadership and selfless giving of RVA’s local retailers.