The Retail Association of Maine Names Gifford’s the 2014 Retailer of the Year
Bangor, Maine —October 2, 2014 —The board of directors of the Retail Association of Maine announced today that Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream of Skowhegan, Maine, has been named the 2014 Retailer of the Year. The award will be presented at the Retail Association of Maine’s 81st annual meeting on Thursday, October 16th at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.
The Retailer of the Year Award has three main criteria: continued growth in employees or sales; commitment of company resources to community projects; and creation of a positive work environment for all employees. Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream surpassed the criteria on all counts. While a great number of qualified retailers were considered, Gifford’s was chosen for its reputation as a 5th generation, growing family business; for its commitment to supporting Maine through its products, purchasing, and branding; and for its ongoing support of employees and community, including donating 10 percent of its profits to organizations that support healthy, active kids.
Members of the Gifford’s family gather outside the ice cream Factory in Skowhegan, Maine.
The story of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream goes back to the 1800s, when an industrious young man named Nathaniel Main from Pawcatuck, Connecticut, started a home delivery milk and ice cream business from the back of his horse-drawn wagon. Fifteen years later, Nathanial’s oldest son, Chester, got involved in the family business. Eventually, Chester’s daughter, Audrey, married her college sweetheart Randall Gifford and together they forged a splendid path that led to Skowhegan, Maine, and to the birth of Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream.
“Being Maine Retailer of the Year is an enormous honor,” said Lindsay Gifford-Skilling, 5th generation ice cream maker and general manager of Gifford’s. “My entire family is so grateful to be recognized. This award represents many years of hard work and many generations of Gifford’s family members and employees who have dedicated their lives to making the best ice cream imaginable.”
Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream is headquartered in Skowhegan, but the company is also known for its five ice cream stands – in Waterville, Auburn, Bangor, Farmington, and Skowhegan. These popular stands are part of the fabric of small-town Maine, with families coming year after year to celebrate such traditions as opening day in March, birthday parties, after-game festivities and many other special occasions.
“Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream is an iconic Maine brand. However, their commitment to using Maine ingredients wherever possible and branding their product line with Maine themes helps extend the Maine brand beyond our state border,” said Curtis Picard, Executive Director of the Retail Association of Maine. “Gifford’s recent expansion to the mid-Atlantic region will help generate millions of new Gifford’s ice cream fans,” he added.
The Retail Association of Maine has presented the annual Retailer of the Year Award since 1980. Other winners include Mexicali Blues (2013), Wild Oats Bakery & Café (2012), Cool As A Moose (2011), The Beadin’ Path (2010), Acadia Corporation (2009), Johnny’s Selected Seeds (2008), Stonewall Kitchen (2007), Hammond Lumber Company (2006), and Indian Hill Trading Post (2005).
About the Retail Association of Maine
The Retail Association of Maine is a statewide, non-profit trade association representing over 400 businesses in the state, from large chains to small independent retailers. Formed in 1933, the Retail Association of Maine serves as the voice of retailers in Maine and concentrates on preserving the state’s strong retail climate. For more information on the Retail Association of Maine, please visit the website at www.retailmaine.org or call the Retail Association of Maine offices at 207-623-1149.
About Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream
Gifford’s Famous Ice Cream, world-class ice cream from a small town in Maine, is a fifth-generation, family-owned company that sources its fresh milk and cream exclusively from independent family farms, and uses antique Cherry Burrell freezers and a state-of-the-art freezing system to make the most delicious, creamiest ice cream possible. The company has earned numerous international and national “First Place” and “World’s Best” awards for its premium ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sherbet. Gifford’s sells its ice cream from Maine to Maryland and in select states as far west as Illinois. In Maine, Gifford’s has five famous ice cream stands. For more information visit www.giffordsicecream.com. Follow Gifford’s Ice Cream on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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