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For more than 70 years, Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware has been part of the fabric of Central Florida. This July, that legacy will be represented on a national stage. Bruce Phillips, President of Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware has been selected by the National Retail Federation as a 2026 American Retail Champion. On July 15, Phillips will join retail leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., to advocate for policies affecting independent retailers and the communities they serve during NRF's Retail Advocates Summit. Phillips is among 50 retailers representing 27 states selected for the 2026 America's Retail Champions program, which recognizes retailers for their leadership and involvement in public policy advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. "The NRF brings all types, sizes, and forms of retailers together for the benefit of ALL retailers, whether you are a small family-owned business such as Crowder Brothers Hardware, or a large national chain of stores. I am excited for the experience to come from networking with such a diverse group of leaders," Phillips said. For Phillips, the recognition reflects generations of commitment to independent retail. A fourth-generation Florida hardware businessman, he officially joined the family business in 1990, working alongside his father, Carroll "Bud" Phillips, until Bud's passing in 2015. His greatgrandfather, Isham Whitfield Phillips, founded the I.W. Phillips & Co. wholesale building materials distribution center in Tampa in 1898. The operation then sold to Ace Hardware in 1977. "As we reflect on the last 250 years, we are inspired by the role small businesses have played in providing jobs and economic opportunity and strengthening communities," NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French said. "The 2026 America's Retail Champion honorees exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the retail industry." More than 98 percent of retail businesses in the United States employ fewer than 50 people, underscoring the critical role small retailers play in the nation's economy. The 2026 America's Retail Champions program is sponsored by Affirm. One national America’s Retail Champion will be announced during the Retail Advocates Summit on July 15 in Washington, D.C. About Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware Crowder Bros. Hardware today represents more than 71 years of fine service. The first Crowder Bros. Hardware store was founded in Sarasota, Florida in 1955, opened by John and Chester Crowder; one year later, they opened the second store in Bradenton. Crowder Bros. Hardware of Lakeland, Inc. opened in March of 1973 as Crowder Bros. Hardware, a True Value dealer. The store was a joint partnership of John K. Crowder and Carroll C. Bud Phillips, Phillips being the active managing partner. At the time of John Crowder’s death in 1988, there were 10 Crowder Bros. Stores in Bradenton (1), Venice (2), Winter Haven (2), Lakeland (2), Palm Harbor (1), Port Richey (1), and Spring Hill (1). Crowder Bros. Hardware of North Lakeland, Inc. was opened in November of 1996 as Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware. Bruce D. Phillips was President of Crowder Bros. Hardware of North Lakeland. In late 2011, the decision was made to merge the Crowder Bros. of North Lakeland corporation into the Crowder Bros. of Lakeland corporation beginning January 2012. Crowder Bros of Lakeland, inc. is wholly owned by Bruce and Keisha Phillips. The success of our business has been built on the foundation of fine customer service, competitive prices, and quality merchandise. About NRF The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies, and ideas that help retail succeed. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion annually to GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs. ### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kendall Simpler Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware simplerkendall@gmail.com
For more than 70 years, Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware has been part of the fabric of Central Florida. This July, that legacy will be represented on a national stage.
Bruce Phillips, President of Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware has been selected by the National Retail Federation as a 2026 American Retail Champion. On July 15, Phillips will join retail leaders from across the country in Washington, D.C., to advocate for policies affecting independent retailers and the communities they serve during NRF's Retail Advocates Summit.
Phillips is among 50 retailers representing 27 states selected for the 2026 America's Retail Champions program, which recognizes retailers for their leadership and involvement in public policy advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels.
"The NRF brings all types, sizes, and forms of retailers together for the benefit of ALL retailers, whether you are a small family-owned business such as Crowder Brothers Hardware, or a large national chain of stores. I am excited for the experience to come from networking with such a diverse group of leaders," Phillips said.
For Phillips, the recognition reflects generations of commitment to independent retail. A fourth-generation Florida hardware businessman, he officially joined the family business in 1990, working alongside his father, Carroll "Bud" Phillips, until Bud's passing in 2015. His greatgrandfather, Isham Whitfield Phillips, founded the I.W. Phillips & Co. wholesale building materials distribution center in Tampa in 1898. The operation then sold to Ace Hardware in 1977.
"As we reflect on the last 250 years, we are inspired by the role small businesses have played in providing jobs and economic opportunity and strengthening communities," NRF Executive Vice President of Government Relations David French said. "The 2026 America's Retail Champion honorees exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit that defines the retail industry."
More than 98 percent of retail businesses in the United States employ fewer than 50 people, underscoring the critical role small retailers play in the nation's economy.
The 2026 America's Retail Champions program is sponsored by Affirm. One national America’s Retail Champion will be announced during the Retail Advocates Summit on July 15 in Washington, D.C.
About Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware Crowder Bros. Hardware today represents more than 71 years of fine service. The first Crowder Bros. Hardware store was founded in Sarasota, Florida in 1955, opened by John and Chester Crowder; one year later, they opened the second store in Bradenton. Crowder Bros. Hardware of Lakeland, Inc. opened in March of 1973 as Crowder Bros. Hardware, a True Value dealer. The store was a joint partnership of John K. Crowder and Carroll C. Bud Phillips, Phillips being the active managing partner.
At the time of John Crowder’s death in 1988, there were 10 Crowder Bros. Stores in Bradenton (1), Venice (2), Winter Haven (2), Lakeland (2), Palm Harbor (1), Port Richey (1), and Spring Hill (1).
Crowder Bros. Hardware of North Lakeland, Inc. was opened in November of 1996 as Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware. Bruce D. Phillips was President of Crowder Bros. Hardware of North Lakeland. In late 2011, the decision was made to merge the Crowder Bros. of North Lakeland corporation into the Crowder Bros. of Lakeland corporation beginning January 2012. Crowder Bros of Lakeland, inc. is wholly owned by Bruce and Keisha Phillips.
The success of our business has been built on the foundation of fine customer service, competitive prices, and quality merchandise.
About NRF The National Retail Federation passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies, and ideas that help retail succeed. Retail is the nation's largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion annually to GDP and supporting more than one in four U.S. jobs.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kendall Simpler Crowder Bros. Ace Hardware simplerkendall@gmail.com