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The Alabama Retail Association is now taking votes for its annual Customers’ Choice Award, and Young’s Florist & Gifts of Opp is in the running.

Young’s Florist has been in business for over 60 years in Opp. It was first opened by Sarah Young on Stewart Avenue in Opp and also by her daughter Rebecca Young Edgar, who years later moved it to its current location on Covington Avenue.

Virgil Sasser, Lori Sasser, Laura Hawthorne, and Shelia Dye purchased the business in November 2017 and kept the name, Young’s Florist and Gifts. “We and so many others in our city and community have always known and loved it,” Sasser said.

Sasser explained how they offer a local one-stop shop for their customers in and around our community. She said customers could come to purchase something to celebrate life’s moments or stop in and grab a little something for them.  “With a wide variety of products, our customers can find an array of gifts, home decor, and floral arrangements for all occasions and decor styles.  We offer gift selection or decorating services of products for weddings, funerals, birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, new jobs, housewarming, and baby showers. If you name it, we can help.”

One thing that sets Young’s apart from other businesses in Opp is their Christmas showroom that is almost 8,000 square feet. Sasser said, “We have expertly decorated Christmas trees, thousands of ornaments, Christmas tables, and wall décor. They are all set up and designed throughout the store, so customers can walk and enjoy while shopping for their favorite pieces.”

Sasser said they are very grateful for their many customers and clients. “It means a lot they want us to win this award. This will help others, who may not know us, learn who we are. Our customers are the reason we are here and help us continue to be here for our city and surrounding area.”

Opp and Covington County Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Administrator Kelly Brandin praised the business and encouraged the public to vote for them. She said, “The Opp and Covington County community should cast their votes for Young’s Florist to receive the Customers’ Choice Award in 2021 because they have been a mainstay in the Opp community for several decades. The owners love their community and support it in numerous ways. Young’s Florist offers a wide variety of gifts and services. This business is a longtime and committed investor in the Opp and Covington County Area Chamber of Commerce.”

Young’s Florist is one of 13 businesses competing for the Customers’ Choice in the small sales volume category. Voting runs until Monday, August 23, and can be done in two different methods. Nominees can be voted on Facebook through their respective collage.

Voters can go to the Young’s Florist collage at https://alretail.org/3jH1yh4 and “Like” (thumbs up emoji) the collage for one vote or “Love” (heart emoji) for two votes.

Voters can also visit the Alabama Retail Association’s website at https://alabamaretail.org/news/customers-choice-award-vote-2021/ and check the bubble next to Young’s Florist under the “Small Sales Volume” category.

“It would truly be an honor to win this award. Whether we win or not, just knowing our customers took the time to vote for us means so much and makes us happy,” Sasser said.