Carter Drug Co.’s loyalty to the Selma community earned the store the bronze award as Retailer of the Year in the more than $5 million in sales category. This is the first time a Selma business has been recognized for this award.

The awards were unveiled during the 2010 Retail Day luncheon Wednesday at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center in Birmingham.

“Carter’s (open 365 days a year) is truly committed to all citizens in Dallas County,” said Sheryl Smedley, director of the Chamber of Commerce.

Smedley nominated Carter Drug Co. and Ann Murray, office manager and buyer for Carter Drug Co. and Carters Books and Gifts, for the award because of the company’s choice to remodel the 86-year-old store’s look and update the technology of the store in 2009.

The store now has a new checkout system and automated telephone system in addition to a selection of books and gifts at the front of the store.

“During these complicated times … Carter’s, situated on one of Alabama’s most historic downtown main streets, … reinvested in downtown Selma with its $400,000 store remodeling project,” Smedley said in submitting her nomination.

Carter Drug. Co. also employs interns from Samford University’s McWhorter Pharmacy School to help them gain the skills needed to effectively continue in the profession.

“The exposure they receive in an independent retail pharmacy in a small town is invaluable,” Murray said. “Many pharmacy students are not aware of the tremendous influence a pharmacy has in the lives of the people in a small town.”

The Alabama Retail Association and the University of Alabama-Birmingham presented Murray and Carter Drug. Co. the award. Businesses in each category, divided by amount of annual sales, were chosen for the award this year.

Retailer of the year has been presented since 1999.