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SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: January 11, 2022 Contact: Shuree Mortenson, 605.224.5050 smortenson@sdra.org ERV’S FURNITURE OF BOWDLE RECEIVES HERITAGE AWARD PIERRE (SD) – Erv’s Furniture in Bowdle has received the Heritage Award from the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA). Presented for the first time in conjunction with the organization’s 125th annual meeting in Pierre, the award recognizes the store’s unique role in the association’s rich history. The South Dakota Retailers Association was founded in 1897 by a small group of merchants who wanted to help each other improve their business practices and advocate for retailers in the legislative process. Handwritten documents prepared by early association leaders show the Bowdle store – at that time called H.A. Mason Company – was among the businesses that signed the organization’s constitution. Only two businesses that signed the founding paperwork are still selling the same type of product in the same community as they were in 1897 and remain members of the association 125 years later. The other is an implement dealership in Freeman. “Small businesses like Erv’s Furniture are the backbone of their local communities, as well as the backbone of our organization,” said executive director Nathan Sanderson. “It is thanks to their strong support that the South Dakota Retailers Association is celebrating 125 years of dynamic impact in the retail community.” -30-
SOUTH DAKOTA RETAILERS ASSOCIATION NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release: January 11, 2022 Contact: Shuree Mortenson, 605.224.5050 smortenson@sdra.org
ERV’S FURNITURE OF BOWDLE RECEIVES HERITAGE AWARD
PIERRE (SD) – Erv’s Furniture in Bowdle has received the Heritage Award from the South Dakota Retailers Association (SDRA). Presented for the first time in conjunction with the organization’s 125th annual meeting in Pierre, the award recognizes the store’s unique role in the association’s rich history.
The South Dakota Retailers Association was founded in 1897 by a small group of merchants who wanted to help each other improve their business practices and advocate for retailers in the legislative process.
Handwritten documents prepared by early association leaders show the Bowdle store – at that time called H.A. Mason Company – was among the businesses that signed the organization’s constitution.
Only two businesses that signed the founding paperwork are still selling the same type of product in the same community as they were in 1897 and remain members of the association 125 years later. The other is an implement dealership in Freeman.
“Small businesses like Erv’s Furniture are the backbone of their local communities, as well as the backbone of our organization,” said executive director Nathan Sanderson. “It is thanks to their strong support that the South Dakota Retailers Association is celebrating 125 years of dynamic impact in the retail community.”
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