Charlotte, NC (April 20, 2016) – The Glass Jug of Durham was recognized as a 2016 Retailer of the Year, one of four leading retail businesses to receive the honor from the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA). The awards were presented during NCRMA’s Annual Retailer of Year awards luncheon at the Charlotte City Club. The Glass Jug, a retail craft beer store in Durham, is owned by Chris and Katy Creech. They were named as award winners in recognition of their role as not just part of the craft beer movement that’s taken North Carolina by storm in recent years, but for being at its forefront.
The Glass Jug has one of the largest selections of locally-made beverages in the state. The Glass Jug has seen impressive growth over the past 12 months, and the owners listen and respond to customer demand including increasing their inventory of packaged beer, wine, and cider, while also adding more nonalcoholic options including a tap for locally-made soda on draft.
In addition, all employees of The Glass Jug are Certified Beer Servers through the Cicerone organization, showing a high level of knowledge of the many craft beer styles, their histories, and how to properly serve draft and bottled beer, operate and troubleshoot a draft system, and ensure “beer clean” glassware.
The Glass Jug has become a community center and meeting place for South Durham and the entire staff takes pride in how involved The Glass Jug is in the local community. The Glass Jug regularly hosts meetings for local clubs organizations and supports local charities.
The Glass Jug is a sponsor of Team on Draft, a local cycling group that raises money for the National MS Society. Team on Draft was the 2nd highest fundraising team in NC this year at the annual Bike MS: Historic New Bern Ride. The Glass Jug also partnered with Haw River Farmhouse Ales to host a fundraiser to benefit the Chapel Hill Ronald McDonald House during the holiday season, and they have hosted fundraisers for the Carolina Poodle Rescue, the Carolina Beagle Rescue, and Hope Animal Shelter throughout the year.
The Creeches are active members of the North Carolina Brewer’s Guild and serve on NCRMA’s newly-formed Retail Beverage Council.
“We are proud of Chris and Katy, along with all of our retail members, for their efforts to provide superior value and service to their customers,” said NCRMA President and General Counsel Andy Ellen. “These four award recipients deserve statewide recognition because they are helping to sustain local economies, adapting to meet the needs of their customers, and giving back to their local communities.”
About The Glass Jug
Based in Durham, the Glass Jug is a retail craft beer store with a great selection of local and craft beer. They feature a counter-pressure growler filling station and 18 rotating taps with an emphasis on seasonal brews, one-off special releases, and new collaborations with local breweries, in addition to popular craft beers, specialty wine, cider, and soda.
About the North Carolina Retail Merchants Association
The North Carolina Retail Merchants Association (NCRMA) is a nonprofit trade association organized in 1902 to improve the business climate for retailers in North Carolina. Over 100 years later, NCRMA remains the voice of the retail industry for North Carolina. NCRMA represents the interests of individual merchants before the General Assembly and serves as a vital link to state government. Its credibility lies in its longevity and commitment to serving the ever-changing needs of its members. The Association’s membership includes more than 25,000 stores from across the state whose business represents 75 percent of North Carolina’s retail sales volume. NCRMA serves both large and small retailers from multi-state chains to local “mom and pops,” and all types of merchants including antique, apparel, art, automotive, book, carpet, department, drug, electronics, floral, furniture, grocery, hardware, jewelry, paint and variety stores. For more information, visit http://www.ncrma.org/.
