2014 National Retail Excellence Award Presented to Clawson's LEON & LULU

Gifts and Decorative Accessories yesterday announced winners of its 63rd Retailer Excellence Awards (REA). The winners, including Leon & Lulu in Clawson, were revealed during an annual gala event held in New York City at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers where retailers across the nation were recognized for their achievements in marketing, store design and events, visual merchandising and more.

CEO of Progressive Business Media (parent company of Gifts and Decorative Accessories) Matt Slaine kicked off the evening by saying, "I'm proud to be part of an industry and a group of people dedicated to bringing smiles."
Among those in attendance giving warm fuzzies to customers across the nation was Mary Liz Curtin, co-owner of Leon & Lulu who won this year's REA award for Visual Merchandising.

"This is a magical, fabulous industry," Curtain said when she received her award. "What we sell is not about the stuff - the candles, the soap or things that squeak. It's about the smiles, and I can't think of a more magical place to be," she explained.

The 2014 Retailer Excellence Awards winners are:
Store Design/Redesign
RADform, Toronto
Sweet Twist, East Greenwich, RI
Store Events
Paddington Station, Ashland, OR
Marketing Achievement
Catching Fireflies, Rochester, MI
Visual Merchandising
Leon & Lulu, Clawson, MI

For more information, please visit: www.leonandlulu.com.

Forthcoming Events at Leon & Lulu:

August 24 & 25 - Artists' Market (11 a.m.-5 Sunday; 3-8 p.m. Monday)
Sept. 6 & 7 - Leon & Lulu Fashion Weekend: Sat: Stylists from Comfy clothing, Ayala Bar jewelry and Anne Marie Chagnon jewelry will give complimentary in-store style consultations. Sun: Girls' Day Out Fall Fashion Show 1-3 p.m.
Sept. 14 - Leon & Lulu team supports AIDS Walk Detroit
Sept. 19 - Design Night 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 7 - Girls' Night Out: Thanks for the Mammaries to benefit the Karmanos Cancer Institute 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 16 - Design Night 6-8 p.m.
Oct. 26 - Books & Authors 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Leon & Lulu is a destination lifestyle store featuring an eclectic mix of upscale furniture, unforgettable gifts, and accessories in an environment unlike any other. Located in the historic Ambassador Roller Rink in Clawson, Michigan, Leon & Lulu offers 15,000-square feet of fabulous shopping, with a new 7,800-square feet expansion into the neighboring Old Clawson Theatre slated to open this spring. Locally owned and family run, Leon & Lulu prides itself in providing a fun, welcoming atmosphere, serving hot coffee, cookies and popcorn - often via roller skates - to visiting patrons. For more information, or to shop online, please visit www.leonandlulu.com.