Veteran retailers Jack and Ruthanne Savage were honored for “a lifetime of contributions” to the industry during the CBA Retailer Impact Awards ceremony last night.

The couple who own Jack's Religious Gift Shop in Salisbury, Md., were presented with the CBA Lifetime Ministry Impact Award by CBA President Bill Anderson.

The retail skills that had seen their store enjoy 24% growth over last year were just “a small part of what makes them so special,” CBA Director of Communications and Marketing Leon Wirth told the awards audience.

He told how the Savages had served in a variety of leadership positions in their community and been involved in retail training around the world. In addition, Jack had served as CBA chairman 1978-'80 and as a local pastor.

“If you are looking for a role model for how to run a retail store you need look no further” than the Savages, who “truly understand what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Wirth said.

Two two-generation management teams were among the three recipients of CBA's Store of the Year Awards, recognizing the winners' innovation and excellence.

Mother-and-son team Faith and Jon Reese, who operate the Lemstone Christian Store in Rockford, Ill., were recognized for what Wirth called their “overall incredible performance” in developing relationships with local churches and increasing business.

They achieved sales per square foot of $301, well ahead of the industry average, with an inventory turn rate of 3.27. Sales per full-time equivalent were 20% higher than the industry average.

Mother-and-daughter partnership Deb and Kelly Graham were honored for their management of Prestonwood Bookstore at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas.

They excelled in staff training, with sales per full-time equivalent 59% higher than the industry average and sales per square foot 32% greater. Wirth noted the store's “solid employee management program and carefully crafted policies and procedures.”

Tom and Cherrie Gregory's The Potter's House in Valdosta, Ga., was honored for its “impressive shopping experience for shoppers of all ages.” Wirth told how in the run-up to the release of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, last year, the store interior was decorated so that visitors passed through a wardrobe to enter the children's department.

Together with special programs, the Gregorys' initiatives resulted in an “exceptional” 3.88 inventory turn rate and sales per full-time equivalent 53% higher than the industry average.

All three winning stores are to receive $1,000 in free product from Spring Arbor and $750 in free product from Zondervan. The awards were hosted by Wirth with Janet McDonald, vice president and general manager of Spring Arbor Distributors, originators of the store of the year awards.

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