FOR THE THIRD TIME WE NAMED OUR TOP 100 RETAILERS, celebrating successful off-premise businesses across the country. For the second time we held the awards in person, during a banquet in Austin, TX, at the Beverage Alcohol Retailers Conference. And for the first time, we’ ve dedicated an entire issue of Beverage Dynamics to these awards.

Coming out of a pandemic year when nearly everything happened virtually( including the 2020 Top 100 ceremony), we were eager to get back to normal in Austin. While the turnout was understandably lighter than normal, dozens of retailers gathered together to network with industry experts, share best practices and celebrate being on the road again.

We welcomed them back with an awards banquet that counted down our winners in attendance— including our Hall of Fame inductee Twin Liquors and Retailer of the Year Gary’ s Wine & Marketplace. As you’ ll see in the photos later in this issue, the industry’ s leaders were well represented in Austin.

This year we chose to rank our top-20 winners, which will remain in practice moving forward. The complete list of winners includes single-store operations, small chains, regional chains and control state operations – representing the entire independent liquor market. We’ re also proud to showcase retailers from every background, representing the diversity in our industry.

Didn’ t make the list this year? The only way to ensure you’ re part of our 2022 countdown is to fill out an entry form. The Top 100 isn’ t about sales volume or store count – it’ s designed to recognize retailers who live by the best practices that benefit the whole industry. You don’ t need to do $ 100 million in sales to be considered – or even $ 1 million. We’ re looking for the best retailers, and I look forward to honoring them( and maybe you) in the years to come!

Jeremy Nedelka Vice President Beverage Information Group jnedelka @ epgmediallc. com

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THE TOP 100 AND ATTENDING OUR INVITATION-ONLY AWARDS BANQUET?

CONTACT SARA NATH AT SNATH @ EPGMEDIALLC. COM OR 763-383-4410.

6 Beverage Dynamics • 2021 Top 100 Issue www. beveragedynamics. com