(From left to right) Curtis Picard–Executive Director of the Retail Association of Maine, Topher Mallory–Mexicali Blues CEO, Julie Baker Leaden–Mexicali Bangor Store Manager, Stephanie McNally–Mexicali Raymond Store Manager, and Chris Cummings–Mexicali Freeport Store Manager.

The Retail Association of Maine awarded Mexicali Blues the 2013 Retailer of the Year Award last Friday!  While Mexicali owners Pete & Kim were unable to attend because they are currently traveling in Nepal, CEO Topher and store managers Julie, Stephanie, and Chris were there to share in the Mexicali love and accept this awesome award.  Senator Susan Collins was there to accept the Jim McGregor Government Service award for her work as a champion of small businesses, and said some really kind things about Mexicali which we will never forget!

When Topher stepped up to the podium to accept the award, he represented the funky and fun Mexicali style well when he removed his dapper pink tie to reveal a colorful Mexicali tie dye tee.  As he accepted the award, he emphasized the importance of all the people who consistently support this family-based operation, allowing us to do what we love and do it well. We LOVE traveling and sharing the awesome things we find, but it is the cool and groovy people who work in Mexicali stores and all of the amazing Mexicali shoppers who we are so grateful to meet and know that make Mexicali Blues what it is, and what has earned us this award.  So we would like to offer a heartfelt THANK YOU, to the Retail Association of Maine, to the whole Mexicali team, and to everyone who shops with us.  We are honored to be involved with so many amazing people and communities both locally and abroad, and we couldn’t do it without you!