Georgia Ziglar, owner of Home Gallery and First Impressions in Troy, received the Bronze Retailer of the Year Award in the Annual Sales of $1 Million to $5 Million category at the Alabama Retail Association’s annual meeting at The Club in Birmingham Tuesday.

Ziglar was nominated for the prestigious award by the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.

“The Pike County Chamber of Commerce congratulates Georgia Ziglar on having been selected for this honor,” said Kathy Sauer, Chamber president. “She was selected from more that 50 nominees in her category.”

Twelve retail businesses with operations in 72 Alabama cities and 31 states were recognized as Retailers of the Year.

Sauer said that Ziglar’s selection is testimony to her ability as a businesswoman and to her commitment to growing businesses in a small city.

“This statewide recognition is a tremendous honor for Georgia,” Sauer said. “It also brings accolades to the Troy business community and all of Pike County. Georgia is most deserving and we are excited to see her recognized on this level.”

The Alabama Retailer of the Year judges were most impressed with the personal touches and the family feel of the Ziglar retail stores.

“The judges were impressed that Ziglar has all of her customers in a box,” Sauer said.

“Georgia offers customers credit accounts, which she finances. She does her own accounts on index cards with an in-house payment/no interest plan to match each customer.”

The box of customers for each of her four stores — two locations of Home Gallery, Home Gallery Dining Furniture and First Impressions – goes home with her every night.

Ziglar, a former bookkeeper for a 10-store clothing store, bought her first store 28 years ago. She started her career in business with a grocery store. Her three furniture/home accessory stores and gift shop/clothing store employ 12.

Sherry Ziglar Helms, Ziglar’s daughter, said that customer service and appreciation for her customers is at the top of the list of what’s most important for her mom in her business.

“Mom works hard to be a vital part of Troy,” Helms said, adding that Ziglar gives back to the community in different ways. “Many, many times, I have seen her slip $100 into the hand of someone in need.”

Alabama Retail Association President Rick Brown said that Georgia Ziglar is a retailer of the year, every year to her customers, her employees and the entire Troy community.