Illinois Retail Merchants Association

This Memorial Day, we’re taking a moment to honor the people who gave everything in service to this country.

We also want to recognize the veterans across Illinois who carry that same spirit of service into their communities by building businesses that give back and creating spaces where those who served always feel welcome.

These are some of the veteran-owned businesses and veteran-supporting retailers we've featured across Illinois through the We Are Retail campaign:

Corps: Founded by former Marine Rob Mutert, Warp Corps is a purpose-driven lifestyle retail shop and community nonprofit that invests in youth workforce development, mental health awareness, and addiction prevention across Woodstock, Illinois.

& Savor: Founder Trez Van Pugh III has supported disabled veterans and vulnerable community members for over 35 years through his community-focused coffee houses across Chicago.

Your Hair Supply Boutique: Co-owner David Drakeford proudly supports veterans at this Alton hair boutique, in honor of his mother's Army service.

To every veteran who has served, thank you!

Congratulations to the winning teams in IRMA's 2026 Illinois Retail Challenge Scholarship Competition - the first program of its kind in Illinois!

Supported through grant funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, the competition encourages high school seniors to develop practical solutions to issues impacting the retail sector. Illinois high school seniors worked in teams of two to four to develop proposals in collaboration with leading retail partners, Roundy's /Mariano's and Walgreens. Student teams submitted their business proposals to retail leaders, who selected the top teams to receive scholarships totaling up to $60,000.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year's program – and congratulations again to our amazing winners!

📷Stay tuned for full photo album from today’s event in coming days