For Immediate Release
Noon, October 12, 2004

LANSING — Michigan’s retail industry today announced its 2004 Michigan Retailers of the Year. They include: a small shoe store that has rallied its community to provide thousands of children with a safe and fun Halloween experience; a salon and spa that helps restore the spirits of women struggling with cancer or domestic abuse; and a major retail chain that lets its customers determine which community organizations it supports.

"The Michigan Retailer of the Year Awards bring to light remarkable stories of generous retailers who are deeply committed to their communities," said Larry Meyer, chairman and CEO of the Michigan Retailers Association, which established the annual awards in 1998.

"The award recipients represent the thousands of retailers across the state who make a difference in their communities through countless charitable and volunteer activities."

Named as a Michigan Retailer of the Year for outstanding community and charitable involvement, and honored at an awards luncheon in Lansing, were:
Small Category (annual sales under $2 million): McNally’s Shoes, Allen Park;
Medium (annual sales of $2-20 million): Douglas J Day Spa Salon, Okemos;
Large (annual sales above $20 million): Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids.

The awards program, now in its seventh year, is cosponsored by Michigan Newspapers, Inc., the Michigan Press Association affiliate that represents 300 daily and weekly newspapers in Michigan, and Michigan Talk Radio Network, which provides programming services to stations throughout the state.

Recipients are selected by an independent panel of leaders in business, government, higher education, non-profit organizations and the news media. They are: Nancy Barker, vice president of university relations and marketing, Northwood University; Rick Blanchard, assistant business editor, The Detroit News; Louis Hallacy II, LMH LLC Consulting Services; Sandra Katt, foundation community; Michael MacLaren, executive director, Michigan Press Association; Claude Martin, Winkelman Professor Emeritus of Retail Marketing, University of Michigan Business School; David Scott, CEO, Michigan Talk Radio Network; Brenda Sternquist, professor of merchandising management, Michigan State University; and Dennis Toffolo, director, Oakland County Community and Economic Development.

The 2004 Michigan Retailer of the Year recipients:

McNally’s Shoes, Allen Park
Mark Bailey and Clare McNally Bailey, Owners
For 15 years, Mark has organized the Elks Pumpkin Patch in downtown Allen Park, a major annual Halloween event that provides thousands of children a safe and fun alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating, as well as a memorable Halloween party for the area’s special-needs children. The event is remarkable for the long and growing list of supporters—Mark has persuaded over 200 area businesses and organizations to give money, time or in-kind donations to the event.

Mark has also found a way to turn his passion for bike riding into an opportunity to help children. He has biked thousands of miles for worthy causes, and in the past two years has raised nearly $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2003 he rode his yellow, vintage 1974 Schwinn LaTour bicycle from the National Elks Convention in St. Louis, Missouri, back to Michigan, stopping at Elks lodges to raise more funds along the way. This year he became the first person to ride a bicycle across Lake Michigan (on a stationary bike while crossing the lake by ferry) on his 978-mile trek home to Michigan from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Mark and Clare Bailey’s community involvement is evident in many other organizations and events, from the Allen Park Goodfellows and the Downriver Runners to the St. Francis Cabrini Annual Festival and countless school and community activities.

Douglas J Day Spa Salon, Okemos
Douglas J. Weaver, Owner
Women come to Douglas J Day Spa and Salon to receive personalized attention that leaves them feeling more beautiful, relaxed, energized and confident. When the staff at Douglas J realized that some women are in particular need of that kind of attention, they found a unique way to meet that need. Through its "Helping Hands" and "We Care" programs, Douglas J helps women who are struggling through difficult times by giving complimentary salon visits—haircuts and coloring, manicures, hand massages and more.

The "We Care" program gives salon services to women undergoing chemotherapy, providing a much-appreciated lift during an extraordinarily stressful time in their recovery.

"Helping Hands" brings women and children living in local shelters, often victims of domestic abuse, to the salon for a day of special treatment. Upon leaving the salon, the women carry a goodie bag in their hands, a smile on their faces and the invaluable gift of a boost in self-esteem and confidence.

Douglas J, which has additional facilities in East Lansing and Ann Arbor, also raises funds for many causes, including The Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Ann Arbor Ecology Center, the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Meijer, Inc., Grand Rapids
Hank Meijer, CEO and Co-Chairman; Douglas Meijer, Co-Chairman
In a philanthropic framework passed down by Fred and Lena Meijer, the leadership at Meijer is guided by the local community—the company wants to be a part of what its community supports. A new program called Meijer Community Rewards achieves just that.

Schools, churches and community organizations can sign up with the program, at no cost, and receive a code to share with their members and supporters. The organization’s code is linked to the supporters’ Meijer credit card, and each time the card is used a percentage of the money spent is directed to the organizations linked to the card. This is the only fundraiser of its kind in which a wide variety of schools and organizations can raise funds simply by having their members and supporters shop at Meijer. To date, the company has given over $3.7 million back to the 4,821 participating organizations in Michigan. Schools have used the program to buy computers and band uniforms; churches have used the funds for food banks, building additions and more.

The Meijer Community Rewards program is just the latest in a long history of charitable giving by the 70-year-old company. Other major recipients of Meijer’s generosity include the National Kidney Foundation, The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the American Red Cross, The United Way and various children’s hospitals. All Meijer stores are also actively involved with their local schools, sponsoring Accelerated Reading programs, Dignity and Respect programs and Books for Bikes. Meijer, which operates 159 stores in Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio, is also instrumental in providing relief during times of emergency, such as the 2003 blackout in southeastern Michigan and Lansing.