Selma businesswoman Doris Truax continues to gain recognition across the state. Truax was recently notified that her store, Truax and Company, earned an award from the Alabama Retailers Association in its Retailer of the Year contest.

Though she does not know which award she will win, Truax said she is thrilled to be considered.

“I’m excited,” she said. “It really is an honor.”

Along with Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce director Sheryl Smedley, Truax submitted her information and left the rest to the judges.

“I had an extensive questionnaire to fill out, which Sheryl helped me with so I would have everything worded correctly,” she said. “I guess they compare all the answers and evaluate the businesses.”

The business qualified for either the gold, silver or bronze award in the Less than $1 Million Annual Sales category for the 2011 Retailer of the Year awards.

The final announcement and presentation of awards will be made Thursday, Sept. 22, during the 11:30 a.m. Retail Day Luncheon at The Club in Birmingham.

This is the 12th year these awards have been presented.

According to the Alabama Retail Association’s website, it is the No. 1 organization for promoting and protecting the interests of retailers in Alabama.

It was formed in 1943 for retailers by retailers who saw a need for representation when public policy was made. Today, ARA represents almost 4,000 members ranging from large national chain stores to small family-owned retail stores with some 6,000 locations statewide, where our members sell food, clothing, furniture and virtually everything else you need to get through your daily life. ARA’s membership accounts for more than 75 percent of the annual retail sales in Alabama.

The store, which is located next door to Butler-Truax Jewelers, sells a variety of items from candles and jewelry to handbags and tumblers.

“Our No. 1 vendor is Vera Bradley, but we also carry candles, and a little bit of home décor,” she said. “We also still sell antique silver.”

Truax is no stranger to awards in regards to her business. In February she was also named the University of Alabama’s Female Entrepreneur of the Year.

The award was given to Truax for her innovative ways of marketing her products and her support of other entrepreneurs in the area, according to the university.

Truax is also very active in the community and is involved in a book study and conducting seminars on how to properly use manufacturing coupons.