Two Gloucester businesses were recognized on May 30 as winners of this year’s Retailer of the Year Awards given by the Retail Alliance.

Kelsick Specialty Market took top honors, as winner of the Overall Retailer of the Year Award, while Smith’s Florist & Gift Shoppe received the Retail Award for the Peninsula. The businesses were recognized during a special celebration in Chesapeake.

“Retailer of the Year is our annual awards event that celebrates the retail industry in Hampton Roads,” said Kylie Ross Sibert, vice president of communications at Retail Alliance. “As a retail merchants association, we understand the struggles of small businesses, in particular, retailers. This event gives us a chance to recognize and congratulate those who are demonstrating the passion to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit of retail.”

“The overall winner for ROTY 2019 is a title for the best in retail in Hampton Roads,” Sibert said. “We are thr...